Lionel Messi , one of the most famous football players of our time, with a series of admirable achievements. Let’s look back with Santino at Lionel Messi ‘s journey from a boy with a passion for football to becoming a legend on the field.
1. Lionel Messi there?
Image of Messi
Lionel Messi , real name Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, is a living legend of world football in the early 21st century. With undeniable talent and achievements, he has left a deep mark in the hearts of fans around the globe.
Born in Rosario, Argentina on June 24, 1987, Messi quickly demonstrated his incredible football talent in Newell’s Old Boys youth team. And when he was only 13 years old, he left for Spain, joining the Barcelona team to pursue his passion for football. It was there that Messi developed and became one of the greatest players of all time with his masterful touch, alert finishing ability and incredible speed.
Messi is not only loved for his extraordinary football playing ability, but also for his contributions to world football and the general community.
2. Teams in Lionel Messi’s career
In Lionel Messi ‘s career , he has made significant strides from childhood until his current success. Let’s take a look at the important stages in Messi’s career:
2.1. Childhood and joining La Masia(1995-2004)
Messi at La Masia
Lionel Messi started playing football at a very young age and showed outstanding talent compared to his peers. In 2000, when he just turned 13, he left his hometown of Argentina to join Barcelona’s youth academy – La Masia.
Joining La Masia has opened up opportunities for Messi to get closer to Barcelona’s first team. During the process of training and developing here, Messi stood out with his speed, technique and natural scoring ability. That’s why Coach Frank Rijkaard – who was leading Barcelona at that time – recognized Messi’s talent and decided to bring him to the first team.
2.2. Debuted in Barcelona’s first team
Messi in Barcelona’s shirt
Lionel Messi officially debuted for Barcelona’s first team on October 16, 2004, when he was just 17 years old. Although he only played after the 87th minute of his debut match, Messi proved his talent and attracted attention from Barcelona fans and managers.
By 2005, Messi had the opportunity to officially play in the first team and scored his first official goal in a Barcelona shirt on May 1, 2005. Over 16 years here, Lionel Messi has gone through a remarkable journey. amazed in the Barcelona shirt with a series of important individual and team titles. His scoring record in La Liga and in European tournaments has made Messi famous.
Not only is he a goal scorer, Messi is also a great creator. High technique and unique vision allow him to create many scoring opportunities for his teammates. Messi is also famous for his free kicks and accurate passes that help his teammates easily score.
2.3. Argentina national team
Messi in the shirt of the Argentina national team
Lionel Messi ‘s time training and playing for the Argentine national team is a journey full of dedication and hardship .
Messi started joining Argentina’s youth teams at a very young age and had outstanding performances in Argentina’s U20 team. At the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup, Messi helped Argentina win the championship and he was named the Best Player of the tournament.
Soon after, in 2006, Messi attended the first five World Cups with the Argentina national team. Although Messi has shown incredible talent and skills, success in this tournament has not yet come to him and the Argentina team. It was not until the 2022 World Cup, which was also the last time Messi attended this tournament, that he and his teammates were able to lift the championship trophy to the delight of all fans around the world.
And previously at the Copa America tournament held in 2021, Messi and his teammates showed excellent performance and played resiliently to win the championship after 26 years of waiting. This is also a step to create momentum, adding confidence, resilience and solidarity in the historic 2022 World Cup.
2.4. Moved to Paris Saint-Germain
Messi and PSG’s number 30 shirt
In August 2021, after not being able to continue his contract with Barcelona because he could not come to an agreement on financial issues with the club, Lionel Messi left the club he had been with for 20 years and joined Paris. Saint-Germain (PSG) – one of the leading clubs in France.
After leaving Barcelona, information about Messi joining PSG caused a stir globally. Here, Messi will practice and compete with other top stars such as Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, it is expected that they will form one of the most powerful attacking trios.
However, unlike expectations, he was not really successful in the shirt of Paris Saint-Germain. He was even turned away by a part of French football fans because they thought his contributions were not commensurate with what he received.
On June 30, 2023, after the contract with PSG expired, without any surprises, Messi and PSG decided not to continue traveling together and immediately, Messi received many lucrative invitations from other top famous clubs.
2.5 Lionel Messi makes his grand debut with the new Inter Miami shirt
Lionel Messi Inter Miami
On July 17, 2023, world football fans witnessed Messi’s grand debut in the new Inter Miami shirt at the event called ‘The Unveil’ held at DRV PNK Stadium. . Despite many difficulties caused by the impact of rain and storms, with endless love for Messi, thousands of fans were present at DRV PNK to welcome the most expensive rookie in MLS history.
Before signing a 2.5-year contract with Inter Miami, Messi rejected Saudi Arabia’s goodwill offer. Hopefully Lionel Messi’s current team will have newer, more impressive developments.
3. Prestigious titles Lionel Messi has won since his debut
Since his debut, Messi has won many prestigious titles, proving that he is one of the greatest players in football history. Below are some outstanding titles according to statistics about Lionel Messi :
3.1 Titles with Barcelona
Lionel Messi and his teammates won La Liga
In more than 16 years with the Barcelona team , Lionel Messi and his teammates have reaped countless admirable achievements. He made his mark and left a great legacy in the history of this club, becoming one of the best and most admired players in the hearts of Barcelona fans and around the world.
Below is a list of titles that Barcelona has won with Messi:
10 times won La Liga (Spanish Championship) in 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2015- 2016, 2017-2018, 2018-2019.
Won the Copa del Rey (Spanish King’s Cup) 7 times in 2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2020-2021.
Won the UEFA Champions League (European Cup) 4 times in 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2014-2015.
Won the FIFA Club World Cup 3 times in 2009, 2011, 2015.
3 times champion of the UEFA Super Cup (European Super Cup) in 2009, 2011, 2015.
Won the European Football Cup 4 times in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020.
3.2 Titles with the Argentine National Team
Messi and the Argentina team lifted the 2022 World Cup championship trophy
Not only has his career playing at international teams been admirable, but Lionel Messi has also had great success with the Argentine national team.
In 2005, Messi won the FIFA U20 World Cup with Argentina’s U20 Team. He played excellently in this tournament and was named the Best Player of the tournament.
In 2021, Argentina won the Copa America after defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final. This is the first international title that Lionel Messi won with the national team, and also Argentina’s first Copa America championship after 28 years of waiting.
By 2022, the Argentina team won the World Cup after defeating the French team in an extremely dramatic way in the final. This victory seems to have fulfilled Messi’s dream and desire throughout his career.
3.3 Lionel Messi’s individual titles
Lionel Messi golden ball
Lionel Messi has won many individual titles in his career. Let’s take a look at the list of noble individual titles that Messi has had since his debut:
Winning the World Cup with the Argentina team in Qatar contributed to Messi defeating Kylian Mbappe to become the best player in the world 2022 with an overwhelming victory in The Guardian’s poll with 76% of the votes (156 in 206 people voted), he had previously won this title 5 times.
He is also the best player at Copa America 2021 when he won the championship trophy with the national team at this tournament.
The FIFA Golden Ball (FIFA Ballon d’Or) is a noble award that any player wishes to receive in his career. And Messi has won this title 7 times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021.
The European Golden Shoe is the title given to the player who scores the most goals in European national championships during the season. With his excellent performances in this arena, Messi has won the European Golden Shoe 6 times in 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018. -2019.
In addition, he also won UEFA best player three times in 2009, 2011, 2015; FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Shoe in 2005 and FIFA’s best goal in 2015.
This is just a part of the many individual titles that Lionel Messi has achieved. These achievements have proven Messi’s talent, class, and great contributions to the history of world football.
4. Lionel Messi’s influence
Since Lionel Messi started his football career and reached the peak of his career, he has had a huge influence on football and society. Here are some important aspects of Messi’s influence:
4.1. The influence on the playing style of young players
Image of Messi on the field
With what he has done, Lionel Messi has had a great influence on the young generation of players. His enthusiastic playing style, outstanding technique and speed have inspired many young players around the world.
Not only is he a player with excellent technique, Messi is also an example of patience, dedication and passion. He is also known for his humility and high professionalism through the way he respects his teammates, coaches and fans and focuses on developing himself professionally. These are the points worth learning for young players, trying to practice and develop their talents.
4.2. Contribute to communities and charities
Messi and charity activities
Lionel Messi is not only famous for his success on the field but also for his positive contributions to communities and charitable organizations. With the desire to support children suffering from poverty and disabilities around the world, Messi founded The Messi Foundation in 2007 to focus on providing education and medical care for children. Children have difficulty.
In addition, Messi has participated in many charity activities to support victims of natural disasters and emergencies around the world. He also often visits and sponsors children’s cancer hospitals and research institutes to support treatment, helping to improve children’s chances of survival and quality of life.
Realizing the important role of education and sports in facilitating children’s development, Messi has supported the development and promotion of programs for children in disadvantaged areas. He often organizes training and competition programs for children who love football with the hope of inspiring and helping young players develop their skills and passion for football.
4.3 Love and respect from fans around the world
Image of Messi fans
Lionel Messi has conquered the hearts of football fans around the world not only because of his outstanding talent but also because of his humble personality and dedication to his position as a player. Messi always shows a professional spirit on the field when he always plays with the highest team spirit. That’s what makes fans feel his authenticity and love for football.
Besides his contributions to world football and the community, Messi is also admired for his romantic and faithful love story with Antonella Roccuzzo . At all his important moments, there was always the presence and companionship of his small family.
With his vast influence, Messi has become a global sports icon, and fans have always supported, loved and respected him throughout his career.
5. Summary
Lionel Messi is an immortal legend in world football history. He has conquered thousands of fans’ hearts with his brave and amazing career. Regardless of which team he is in, Messi has been and will continue to be an incredible source of inspiration for the next generation of young players.
