Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi[note 1] (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel

ⓘ ; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine Lionel Messi
anˈdɾes ˈmesi]
professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains
both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina
national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all
time, Messi set numerous records for individual accolades won
throughout his professional footballing career such as eight Ballon
d'Or awards and eight times being named the world's best player
by FIFA.[note 2] He is the most decorated player in the history of
professional football having won 45 team trophies,[note 3]
including twelve Big Five league titles, four UEFA Champions
Leagues, two Copa Américas, and one FIFA World Cup. Messi
holds the records for most European Golden Shoes (6), most goals
for a single club (672, with Barcelona), most goals (474), hat-
tricks (36) and assists (192) in La Liga, most matches played (39),
assists (18) and goal contributions (34) in the Copa América, most
matches played (26) and goal contributions (21) in the World Cup, Messi with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World
Cup
most international appearances (191) and international goals (112)
Personal information
by a South American male, and the second-most in the latter
category outright. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Full name Lionel Andrés Messi[1]
Messi has scored over 850 senior career goals for club and Date of birth 24 June 1987[1]
country. Place of birth Rosario, Argentina
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Born in Rosario, Argentina, Messi relocated to Spain to join Position(s) Forward
Barcelona at age 13, and made his competitive debut at age 17 in
Team information
October 2004. He established himself as an integral player for the
Current team Inter Miami
club within the next three years, and in his first uninterrupted
season in 2008–09 helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Number 10
Spanish football; that year, aged 22, Messi won the first of his four Youth career
consecutive Ballons d'Or, the first player to win it four times. 1992–1995 Grandoli
During the 2011–12 season, he set La Liga and European records 1995–2000 Newell's Old Boys
for most goals in a season, while establishing himself as 2000–2004 Barcelona
Barcelona's all-time top scorer. The following two seasons, he Senior career*
finished second for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, his Years Team Apps (Gls)
perceived career rival, before regaining his best form during the 2003–2004 Barcelona C 10 (5)
2014–15 campaign, where he became the all-time top scorer in La 2004–2005 Barcelona B 22 (6)
Liga, led Barcelona to a historic second treble, and won a fifth
2004–2021 Barcelona 520 (474)
Ballon d'Or in 2015. Messi assumed captaincy of Barcelona in
2021–2023 Paris Saint-Germain 58 (22)
2018, and won a record sixth Ballon d'Or in 2019. During his
2023– Inter Miami 25 (21)
overall tenure at Barcelona, Messi won a club-record 34 trophies, ‡
International career
including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues,
among others. He signed for French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2004–2005 Argentina U20 18 (14)
August 2021, where he would win the Ligue 1 title during both of 2008 Argentina U23 5[α] (2)
his seasons there. Messi joined American club Inter Miami in July 2005– Argentina 191 (112)
2023, and set a new mark for most goals scored for the club by his Medal record
second season. Men's football
An Argentine international, Messi is the national team's all-time Representing Argentina
leading goalscorer and most-capped player. His style of play as a FIFA World Cup
diminutive, left-footed dribbler drew career-long comparisons Winner 2022 Qatar
with compatriot Diego Maradona, who described Messi as his
Runner-up 2014 Brazil
successor. At the youth level, he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth
Championship and gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Copa América
After his senior debut in 2005, Messi became the youngest Winner 2021 Brazil
Argentine to play and score in a World Cup in 2006. He assumed Winner 2024 United States
the national team's captaincy in 2011, and then led Argentina to Runner-up 2007 Venezuela
three consecutive finals: in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2015
Runner-up 2015 Chile
Copa América and the Copa América Centenario, all of which they
Runner-up 2016 United States
would lose. After initially announcing his international retirement
in 2016, he returned to help his country narrowly qualify for the 2019 Brazil
2018 FIFA World Cup, which they would again exit early. Messi Finalissima
and the national team finally broke Argentina's 28-year trophy Winner 2022 England
drought with a victory in the 2021 Copa América, where he was Olympic Games
named the tournament's best player and which later helped him
2008 Beijing Team
win his seventh Ballon d'Or that year. He then led Argentina to
win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, his country's third overall world FIFA U-20 World Cup
championship and first in 36 years. This followed with a record- Winner 2005 Netherlands
extending eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023. A second Copa América South American U-20 Championship
victory with Messi as captain came in 2024. 2005 Colombia

Messi has endorsed sportswear company Adidas since 2006.

According to France Football, he was the world's highest-paid Signature
footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014, and
was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2019 and
2022. Messi was among Time 's 100 most influential people in the
world in 2011, 2012, and 2023. In 2020 and 2023, he was named
the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, the first team-sport
athlete to win it. In 2023, Messi was named Time's Athlete of the *Club domestic league appearances and goals,
Year, and in the following year was bestowed the Presidential correct as of 00:16, 20 October 2024 (UTC)
Medal of Freedom. In 2020, Messi was named to the Ballon d'Or ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of
08:41, 20 November 2024 (UTC)
Dream Team and became the second footballer and second team-
sport athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings.

Early life
Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe Province,[21] the third
of four children of Jorge Messi, a steel factory manager, and his wife Celia
Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. On his father's
side, he is of Italian and Spanish descent, the great-grandson of immigrants
from the north-central Adriatic Marche region of Italy, and on his mother's
side, he has primarily Italian ancestry.[3] Growing up in a tight-knit, football-
loving family, "Leo" developed a passion for the sport from an early age,
playing constantly with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and his
Messi's childhood home in Rosario,
cousins, Maximiliano and Emanuel Biancucchi, both of whom became
Santa Fe. professional footballers.[22] At the age of four he joined local club Grandoli,
where he was coached by his father, though his earliest influence as a player
came from his maternal grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches.[23] He was greatly
affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout Catholic, he has celebrated his
goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother.[24][25]

Youth career

Newell's Old Boys

A lifelong supporter of Newell's Old Boys, Messi joined the Rosario club when he
"When you saw him you
was seven years old. During the six years he played for Newell's, he scored almost
would think: this kid 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87", the near-unbeatable youth side
can't play ball. He's a named for the year of their birth, and regularly entertained crowds by performing
dwarf, he's too fragile,
ball tricks during half-time of the first team's home games.[27][28][29] His goalscoring
too small. But
idol growing up was Brazilian striker Ronaldo, with Messi calling him "the best
immediately you'd realise
forward I've ever seen".[30]
that he was born
different, that he was a However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, aged 10, he was
phenomenon and that he diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. As his father's health insurance
was going to be covered only two years of growth hormone therapy, which cost at least $1,000 per
something impressive." month, Newell's agreed to contribute, but later reneged on their promise.[31] He was
scouted by Buenos Aires club River Plate, whose playmaker Pablo Aimar he
– Newell's Old Boys youth idolised.[32][33] It was speculated that he failed to sign with River Plate due to his ill
coach Adrián Coria shares
his first impression of the 12- health; however, in a 2019 interview, Messi revealed that River Plate had offered to
year-old Messi.[26] pay for his medical treatment after he scored four goals at a trial. River wanted to
sign him, but Newell's Old Boys, who had refused to pay for his treatment, also
refused to release his player card, preventing the transfer.[34]

Barcelona
As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial
with Barcelona in September 2000. First-team director Charly Rexach
immediately wanted to sign him, but the board of directors hesitated; at the
time it was highly unusual for European clubs to sign foreign players of such
a young age. On 14 December, an ultimatum was issued for Barcelona to
prove their commitment, and Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered a
contract on a paper napkin.[32][35] In February 2001, the family relocated to
Barcelona, where they moved into an apartment near the club's stadium, Messi enrolled at Barcelona's youth
Camp Nou. During his first year in Spain, Messi rarely played with the academy, La Masia, aged 13.
Infantiles due to a transfer conflict with Newell's; as a foreigner, he could only
be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league. Without football, he struggled
to integrate into the team; already reserved by nature, he was so quiet that his teammates initially believed he was
mute. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little
sister, María Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father.[27][35][36]

After a year at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, Messi was finally enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football
Federation (RFEF) in February 2002. Now playing in all competitions, he befriended his teammates, among whom
were Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué.[37] After completing his growth hormone therapy aged 14,[38] Messi became
an integral part of the "Baby Dream Team", Barcelona's greatest-ever youth side. During his first full season (2002–
03), he was top scorer with 36 goals in 30 games for the Cadetes A, who won an unprecedented treble of the league
and both the Spanish and Catalan cups.[37][39] The Copa Catalunya final, a 4–1 victory over Espanyol, became
known in club lore as the partido de la máscara, the final of the mask. A week after suffering a broken cheekbone
during a league match, Messi was allowed to start the game on the condition that he wear a plastic protector; soon
hindered by the mask, he took it off and scored two goals in 10 minutes before his substitution.[40] At the close of the
season, he received an offer to join Arsenal, his first from a foreign club, but while Fàbregas and Piqué soon left for
England, he chose to remain in Barcelona.[35][41][42]

Messi continued to progress through the club's ranks at a rapid pace, debuting for four youth teams during the 2003–
04 season.[43] After being named player of the tournament in four international pre-season competitions with the
Juvenil B, he played only one official match with the team before being promoted to the Juvenil A, where he scored
18 goals in 11 league games.[44][45] Messi was then one of several youth players called up to strengthen a depleted
first team during the international break. French winger Ludovic Giuly explained how Messi caught the eye in a
training session with Frank Rijkaard's first team: "He destroyed us all... They were kicking him all over the place to
avoid being ridiculed by this kid, he just got up and kept on playing. He would dribble past four players and score a
goal. Even the team's starting centre-backs were nervous. He was an alien."[46]

At 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi made his first-team debut when he
"It seemed as if he had came on in the 75th minute during a friendly against José Mourinho's Porto on 16
been playing with us all November 2003.[35][48] His performance, creating two chances and a shot on goal,
his life." impressed the technical staff, and he subsequently began training daily with the
club's reserve side, Barcelona B, as well as weekly with the first team.[49] After his
– Barcelona's then assistant first training session with the senior squad, Barça's new star player, Ronaldinho, told
coach Henk ten Cate on
his teammates that he believed the 16-year-old would become an even better player
Messi's first-team debut.[47]
than himself.[50] Ronaldinho soon befriended Messi, whom he called "little brother",
which greatly eased his transition into the first team.[51][52]

To gain further match experience, Messi joined Barcelona C in addition to the Juvenil A, playing his first game for
the third team on 29 November. He helped save them from the relegation zone of the Tercera División, scoring five
goals in ten games, including a hat-trick in eight minutes during a Copa del Rey match while man-marked by
Sevilla's Sergio Ramos.[44][53] His progress was reflected in his first professional contract, signed on 4 February
2004, which lasted until 2012 and contained an initial buyout clause of €30 million. A month later, on 6 March, he
made his debut for Barcelona B in the Segunda División B, and his buyout clause automatically increased to
€80 million.[44][54] He played five games with the B team that season but did not score.[55] Physically he was weaker
than his opponents, who were often much older and taller, and in training he worked on increasing his muscle mass
and overall strength in order to be able to shake off defenders. Towards the end of the season, he returned to both
youth teams, helping the Juvenil B win the league. He finished the campaign having scored for four of his five teams
with a total of 36 goals in all official competitions.[44][53]

Club career

Barcelona

2004–2008: Rise to the first team

Messi began the 2004–05 season as a guaranteed starter for the Barcelona B team, but after some lobbying by the
senior players, he was promoted to the first team by manager Frank Rijkaard.[50] He made his La Liga debut for
Barcelona on 16 October 2004 against Espanyol,[35] and scored his first senior goal on 1 May 2005 against Albacete,
from an assist by Ronaldinho, becoming at that time the youngest-ever scorer for the club.[56][57] At 17 years, three
months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition,
and the club won the league title during that season.[52][58]
On his 18th birthday, he signed his first contract as a senior team player, which was
updated three months later to keep him at the club until 2014.[54][59] Barcelona began
the 2005–06 season by winning the Supercopa de España without Messi, who was not
selected to participate in the competition.[19] By the end of the season, the team won
La Liga again as well as the UEFA Champions League, although Messi did not play
in the final for the latter due to injury.[60][61]

During the 2006–07 season, Messi scored his first hat-trick in a Clásico against Real
Madrid, the first player to do so in 12 years.[62] An incredibly finesse goal from Messi
against Getafe and another goal scored by a handball against Espanyol gained notice
for their similarities to the two famous goals scored by fellow Argentine Diego
Maradona in the 1986 World Cup match against England, drawing comparisons
between the two that Messi would face throughout his career.[63][64][65] The team Messi (pictured in 2005) at
finished the season with only one trophy – the 2006 Supercopa de España. Barcelona the age of 18 playing for FC
finished the next 2007–08 season trophyless, leading to Rijkaard's departure.[66] Barcelona, where he played
for 17 years.

2008–2012: Success under Pep Guardiola

At the beginning of the 2008–09 season, his first under Barcelona's new manager, former captain Pep Guardiola,
Messi was given the number 10 shirt.[67] Over time, he effectively became the tactical focal point of Guardiola's
possession-based system, increasing his goalscoring rate as a result.[68] During that season, Messi scored 38 total
goals, and alongside Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, contributed to a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record
at the time for the club.[69][70] Messi played as a false nine for the first time in a Clásico against Real Madrid, setting
up his side's first goal and scoring twice in the team's greatest-ever score at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[71][72] He
played his first final, winning the Copa del Rey.[73] In addition, Barcelona won the La Liga title and later won the
Champions League, thus achieving the first treble in the history of Spanish football.[74]

During the first half of the 2009–10 season, Barcelona would also win the
Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, resulting
in becoming the first club to achieve the sextuple.[75][76] Messi finished as the
Champions League top scorer, the youngest in the tournament's history.[77]
For his efforts in 2009, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player
of the Year award.[78] Messi scored a total of 47 goals in all competitions,
equaling Ronaldo's club record from the 1996–97 campaign.[79][80] He
finished the season as top scorer in the Champions League,[81] and La Liga,
Messi during the 2009 Joan Gamper
Trophy against Manchester City. winning his second consecutive league trophy and earned his first European
Golden Shoe.[80][82]

In the 2010–11 campaign, Messi won the Supercopa de España,[83] Champions League,[84] and a third consecutive
La Liga title. His club performances in 2010 earned him his second consecutive Ballon d'Or.[85] Messi was the top
scorer in the Champions League, for the third consecutive year,[86] and the league's top scorer and assist
provider.[87][88] He became Barcelona's all-time single-season top scorer with 53 goals.[87][89]

Messi began the 2011–12 season winning both the Spanish and European Super
Cups trophies.[91][92] At the close of the year, he won the FIFA Club World Cup and "I feel sorry for those
earned the Golden Ball for a second time.[93] For his efforts in 2011, he received the who want to compete for
FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or Messi's throne – it's
three times,[94] and the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.[95] During the impossible, this kid is
year 2012, Messi became the second player to be top scorer in four Champions unique."
League campaigns.[96][97] Messi became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at
24 years old, overtaking the 57-year record of César Rodríguez's 232 goals with a – Pep Guardiola after Messi
became Barcelona's all-time
hat-trick against Granada.[98] He finished the season as league top scorer in Spain
and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in
all competitions made him the single-season top scorer in the history of European top scorer at the age of 24 in
club football excluding regional and local competitions.[99][100] The team would also March 2012[90]
win the Copa del Rey that season, their 14th trophy under Guardiola, who resigned
following the season after a four-year cycle of success.[101]

2012–2014: Record-breaking year and Messidependencia

For the start of the 2012–13 season, Barcelona had virtually secured their La Liga title
by the start of 2013.[102] A double scored against Real Betis saw Messi becoming
Barcelona's all-time top scorer in La Liga, and surpassed Gerd Müller's record of most
goals scored in a calendar year; Messi would score a record 91 goals in all competitions
for Barcelona and Argentina throughout 2012.[103][104] Messi again won the FIFA
Ballon d'Or, becoming the first player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four
times.[104][105] He signed a new contract committing himself to the club through 2018,
and wore the captain's armband for the first time in a league match against Rayo
Vallecano.[106][107][108] The team would win La Liga again that year, Messi's sixth,
equalling Real Madrid's 100-point record of the previous season. With 60 goals in all
competitions, including 46 goals in La Liga, he finished the campaign as league top
scorer in Spain and Europe for the second consecutive year, becoming the first player in
history to win the European Golden Shoe three times.[109]

Messi's overall input into the team's attack had increased significantly. Whereas he
contributed to 24% of the team's goals in their treble-winning campaign, this number
rose to more than 40% by the end of the 2012–13 season.[110] These statistics, as well as
lopsided losses in the Champions League where Messi was unfit, gave credence to the
notion of Messidependencia, Barcelona's perceived tactical and psychological
dependence on their star player.[111]
Messi scored a record-
breaking 91 goals with
To offset the load on Messi, Barcelona would sign Brazilian forward Neymar from
Argentina (above) and
Santos before the 2013–14 season.[112] The team would win the Supercopa de España at
Barcelona (below) in
the beginning of the season.[113] Messi finished the campaign with his worst output in 2012.
five seasons, though he still managed to score 41 goals in all competitions.[114] For the
first time in five years, Barcelona ended the season without a major trophy.[115]

2014–2017: Arrival of Luis Enrique and birth of MSN

Barcelona hired coach Luis Enrique before the 2014–15 season, and would
continue to aid Messi in the attack by signing Uruguayan forward Luis
Suárez, who had won the European Golden Shoe the year before at
Liverpool.[116][117] Luis Enrique's system would feature quick transitions
from defense to attack, led by the front three of Messi, Suárez and Neymar.
The attacking trio, which colloquially became known as 'MSN', would break
goalscoring records.[118] A hat-trick scored against Sevilla earlier in the
season would also make him the all-time top scorer in La Liga, as he
Messi dribbling past Patrice Evra of surpassed the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by Telmo Zarra.[119]
Juventus during the 2015 UEFA After securing the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League
Champions League final.
that year, Messi helped Barcelona become the first club to win the continental
treble twice.[120][121] He would record 58 goals, but combined with Neymar
and Suárez, the attacking trio scored a total of 122 goals in all competitions that season, a record in Spanish
football.[122]
Messi opened the 2015–16 season by helping Barcelona's win over Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.[123] Messi
capped off the year by winning the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup final over River Plate in Yokohama, collecting his
fifth club trophy of the calendar year.[124] On 11 January 2016, Messi won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for a record fifth
time in his career.[125] He would end the season by winning La Liga as well as the Copa del Rey again.[126] In total,
Messi scored 41 goals, and Barcelona's attacking trio of him, Neymar and Suárez managed a Spanish record of 131
combined goals throughout the season, breaking the record they had set the previous season.[127]

The 2016–17 season would end with Messi winning the Supercopa de España and the Copa del Rey.[128][129] He
would finish the season with 54 goals, while his 37 goals in La Liga saw him claim both the Pichichi and European
Golden Boot Awards for the fourth time in his career.[130] Messi, Neymar and Suárez would combine for 110 goals
by season's end. Neymar would depart for Paris Saint Germain the next year, leaving the attacking trio with a
combined total of 363 goals over the course of three seasons.[131] Luis Enrique would also leave Barcelona at the end
of the season after managing the club to a total of nine trophies during his three-year tenure.[132]

2017–2021: Final years at Barcelona

Messi would sign a new deal with Barcelona on 25 November 2017, keeping him
with the club through 2021.[133] The 2017–18 season saw Messi achieving the
domestic double, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey once again.[134] He once
again finished the season as the top scorer in La Liga, with 34 goals, which also saw
him win his fifth European Golden Shoe award.[135] With the departure of former
captain Andrés Iniesta in May 2018, Messi was named the team's new captain for the
2018–19 season.[136] He lifted his first trophy as Barcelona's captain, the Supercopa
de España, following a 2–1 victory over Sevilla. He helped Barcelona clinch the La
Liga title, his tenth but first as captain.[137] With 36 goals in 34 appearances that
season, he won his sixth league Golden Boot trophy, equalling Zarra as the player
with the most top-scorer awards in La Liga.[138][139] He also captured his sixth
Golden Shoe award, and a record third consecutive award since the 2016–17
season.[140]
Messi, wearing the
Messi would win his sixth Ballon d'Or, but the subsequent 2019–20 season saw captain's armband, against
Barcelona go trophyless for the first time since 2007–08.[141] Following a Real Valladolid in 2018.
disappointing season, Barcelona announced that Messi sent the club "a document
expressing his desire to leave", but Messi ultimately decided to fulfill the final year of
his contract.[142][143] The 2020–21 season saw Messi surpass Xavi's record to reach a club record of 768
appearances.[144] He would lead the club to victory in the 2021 Copa del Rey final.[145][146] His last two seasons
with Barcelona saw him lead La Liga in goal scoring, giving him a record-breaking total of eight Pichichi
trophies.[147][148]

Messi became a free agent after his contract expired, with negotiations on a new deal complicated due to Barcelona's
financial issues.[149][150] Barcelona would eventually announce that Messi would not be staying at the club, citing
financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi's departure.[151][152] In a tearful
press conference held at the Camp Nou, Messi confirmed that he would be leaving Barcelona.[153]

Paris Saint-Germain
On 10 August 2021, Messi joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), reuniting him with Neymar, for the
2021–22 season on a two-year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year.[154][155] Messi chose 30 as his
squad number, the same he wore as a teenager when he made his senior debut for Barcelona.[156] He would make his
debut with the club against Reims, made his first start and Champions League debut for the club against Club
Brugge, and made his home debut in a match against Lyon[157][158][159] He scored his first goal for the club in a
Champions League group stage win over former manager Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.[160] Having scored 40
 goals at club and international level for the calendar year in addition to
captaining Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, Messi received a record
seventh Ballon d'Or.[161] He finished his debut season with PSG with 11 goals
and 14 assists across all competitions, helping the club win their 10th Ligue 1
title.[162]

Beginning the 2022–23 season, Messi would win his second trophy with PSG
in the Trophée des Champions.[163] A goal against Nice resulted in him
surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time highest goalscorer in European
club football with 702 goals; during the match, he also achieved 1,000 career
Messi (middle) with PSG team-
mates Kylian Mbappé (left) and
direct goal contributions at club level.[164][165] By the end of the season, he
Neymar. had 21 goals across all competitors and the highest number of assists in the
league with 16, which helped PSG clinch their 11th Ligue 1 title and his
second in a row.[166][167][168] Following the last game of the season, manager
Christophe Galtier confirmed that it would be Messi's last for PSG, with the club confirming his departure two days
later.[169]

Inter Miami
Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF announced the signing of Messi on
a two-and-a-half-year contract on 15 July 2023.[170][171] Messi made his 2023 debut
for the club in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, scoring with a free-kick in
stoppage time for a victory.[172] After scoring nine goals in his first six games for
Miami, Messi led the team to the club's first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup
against Nashville SC.[173] Messi made his MLS debut against New York Red
Bulls.[174] Miami would miss the playoffs, finish 14th in the Eastern Conference,
having gone winless in their last seven games.[175] On 30 October 2023, following his
World Cup win with Argentina and Ligue 1 trophy with PSG, Messi was awarded a
record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or.[176] He was also named Time Athlete of the
Year, the first footballer to ever win the award.[177]
Messi with Inter Miami in
During the 2024 season, Messi broke the record for the most assists in a single MLS the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.
game with five assists and he also broke the record for the most goal contributions in
an MLS game with six in a 6–2 win over the New York Red Bulls.[178] On 2 October,
Messi scored a brace in a 3–2 win over Columbus Crew, clinching the Supporters' Shield, his 46th trophy.[179] In the
final game of the regular season on 19 October against New England Revolution, Messi scored his first hat-trick for
the club in a 6–2 victory. Inter Miami's victory over the Revolution also allowed the club to finish with 74 points
throughout the regular season, a league record for MLS. He would finish the regular season with 20 goals and 16
assists in 19 matches.[180] In doing so, he became Inter Miami's all-time leading goalscorer.[181]

Miami made its first postseason appearance in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs but were eliminated in the first round
after losing two games against Atlanta United. Messi would have his first postseason goal in the third game, a 3–2
loss.[182] He would be named the MLS Most Valuable Player following the conclusion of the regular season.[183]

International career
As a dual Argentine-Spanish national, Messi was eligible to play for the national team of both countries.[184] He
debuted for Argentina in 2004 for Argentina's U20 team against Paraguay, and was subsequently included in the
squad for the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, where they would finish third.[185] Messi would then lead
the team to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, his first success with Argentina. Finishing the
tournament with six goals and two assists, he would also win the Golden Ball.[186][187][188]
 Messi would make his debut with the senior national team in 2005, at age 18,
coming off the bench in a friendly against Hungary.[189] Messi would have his
first start in 2006 against Peru, and would score his first international goal in a
friendly against Croatia.[190][191] His World Cup debut came in the 2006 FIFA
World Cup as a substitute in the 74th minute against Serbia and Montenegro,
scoring the final goal in their victory. This made him the youngest player to
represent and score for Argentina in the World Cup.[192] He would represent
Argentina again for the 2007 Copa América, where they would ultimately lose
Messi evades Brazil's Marcelo in the in the final. Messi was named the best young player of the tournament, having
semi-final of the 2008 Summer scored two goals and provided one assist.[193] The 2008 Summer Olympics
Olympics. would mark another major achievement with his country, as he led Argentina's
U23 team to claim the Olympic gold medal over Nigeria. Messi registered
two goals and three assists throughout, and was singled out by FIFA as the
stand-out player from the tournament's best team.[194]

With the international retirement of Juan Román Riquelme, Messi was given
Argentina's number 10 shirt.[195] During a 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage match
against Greece, where a majority of the starters rested due to a secured place in the
knockout rounds, Messi would wear the captain's armband for the first time.[196]
Argentina were ultimately eliminated in the quarterfinals against Germany during that
tournament, but Messi was identified as one of the tournament's 10 best players due to
his pace and creativity, despite failing to register a single goal and only having one
assist.[197] The appointment of Sergio Batista ahead of the 2011 Copa America
resulted in Argentina now building their team around Messi.[198][199] However, Messi
would again be goalless during the tournament but had three assists. The team would
ultimately lose to Uruguay in penalties during the quarter-finals.[198]
Messi in his number 10 shirt
Following their unsuccessful performance, Batista was captaining Argentina in
replaced by Alejandro Sabella, who awarded 24-year- 2012.
old Messi the captaincy of the squad.[200][201] The
next several years saw many frustrations for Messi due
to his inability to captain Argentina to an international trophy. During the 2014 FIFA
World Cup, Messi and Argentina lost to Germany in the final, though Messi was
awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament regardless due to his
overall performance with four goals and an assist.[202][203] Argentina would lose to
Chile on penalties in the 2015 Copa América final the next year. At the close of the
tournament, Messi, was reportedly selected to receive the Golden Ball award, having
scored one goal and provided three assists, but rejected the honour.[204] In the 2016
Messi against Germany in Copa América Centenario semi-final against the United States, a goal from Messi
the 2014 FIFA World Cup would put him ahead of Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer in
final. international matches.[205] However, Argentina would again fall to Chile on penalties
in the final.[206] Messi would have five goals and four assists throughout the
tournament.[207]

Losing three consecutive finals in three consecutive years caused Messi to briefly retire from international football,
but a fan campaign in Argentina helped convince him to reverse his decision.[206][208] He would return to the
national team to lead them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Argentina were in jeopardy of missing the tournament on
the last game of the qualifiers against Ecuador, but a hat-trick from Messi secured their entry.[209] They would go on
to lose to France in the Round of 16 during the World Cup, with Messi having one goal and two assists in the
tournament.[210] The next year, under new head coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi would again represent Argentina in the
2019 Copa América, where he registered only a single goal and assist. They would lose to hosts Brazil in the semi-
final but ended with a third-place finish after defeating Chile.[211]
Messi would finally end Argentina's 28-year trophy drought in the 2021 Copa
América, as they had not won an international tournament since 1993.[212] In
the process, he surpassed Javier Mascherano to become Argentina's most-
capped player during a group stage match against Bolivia.[213] Argentina
defeated Brazil in the final; Messi was directly involved in nine out of the 12
goals scored by Argentina, scoring four and assisting five, and was named the
player of the tournament.[212] He captained Argentina to win another
international trophy in the 2022 Finalissima against UEFA Euro 2020 winners
Italy, where he was named player of the match after providing two assists.[214]
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup Messi facing off against Érick
victory in 36 years, defeating France during the final.[215] He became the first Gutiérrez of Mexico in the 2022
player to score in every stage of the World Cup, having scored seven total FIFA World Cup group stage.
with three assists, and also the first to win the Golden Ball for the tournament
twice.[216] With his appearance in the final, Messi set new records as the
player with the most appearances at the World Cup (26) and most direct goal contributions at the World Cup (21 – 13
goals and 8 assists).[217] He also set the record for most goals for Argentina in a calendar year with 18.[215]

A hat-trick in a 2023 friendly against Curaçao saw Messi reach 100 international goals; he became the third player
and the first South American in history to achieve this milestone.[218] Later that year, a goal against Peru during a
World Cup qualifier saw Messi become the all-time top goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.[219] His
start in the 2024 Copa América opening game against Canada marked a new record for overall Copa appearances
(35).[220] A goal Messi scored in the semi-final, again against Canada, marked his first and only goal of the
tournament while also making him the second-highest international goalscorer of all time.[221] Argentina eventually
won the final against Colombia, setting Messi with 39 total appearances in the tournament, while also marking
Argentina's second consecutive Copa América win and third consecutive international tournament title with Messi as
captain.[222]

Player profile

Style of play
Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller
players, which gives him greater agility, allowing him to change direction
more quickly and evade opposing tackles;[223][224] this has led the Spanish
media to dub him La Pulga Atómica ("The Atomic Flea").[225][226][227]
Despite being physically unimposing, he possesses significant upper-body
strength, which, combined with his low centre of gravity and resulting
balance, aids him in withstanding physical challenges from opponents; he has
consequently been noted for his lack of diving in a sport rife with
playacting.[27][224][228] His short, strong legs allow him to excel in short Messi prepares to shoot with his
bursts of acceleration while his quick feet enable him to retain control of the dominant left foot in the 2014 FIFA
ball when dribbling at speed. [229] His former Barcelona manager Pep World Cup final.
Guardiola once stated, "Messi is the only player that runs faster with the ball
than he does without it."[230] Although he has improved his ability with his
weaker foot since his mid-20s, Messi is predominantly a left-footed player; with the outside of his left foot, he
usually begins dribbling runs, while he uses the inside of his foot to finish and provide passes and assists.[231][232]

A prolific goalscorer, Messi is known for his finishing, positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking
runs to beat the defensive line. He also functions in a playmaking role, courtesy of his vision and range of
passing.[233] He has often been described as a magician; a conjurer, creating goals and opportunities where
seemingly none exist.[234][235][236] Moreover, he is an accurate free kick and penalty kick taker.[224][237] As of
September 2023, Messi ranks fifth all time in goals scored from direct free kicks with 65,[238] the most among active
players.[239] He also has a penchant for scoring from chips.[240]

Messi's pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual

dribbling runs towards goal, in particular during counterattacks, usually
starting from the halfway line or the right side of the pitch.[228][237][241] He is
widely considered to be one of the greatest dribblers of all time.[242][243] With
regard to this ability, his former Argentina manager Diego Maradona has said
of him, "The ball stays glued to his foot; I've seen great players in my career,
but I've never seen anyone with Messi's ball control."[232] Beyond his
individual qualities, he is also a well-rounded, hard-working team player,
Messi's dribbling abilities allow him
to weave past several defenders
known for his creative combinations, in particular with former Barcelona
and orchestrate attacking plays. midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.[223][224]

As his career advanced, and his athleticism and tendency to dribble

diminished slightly with age, Messi began to dictate play in deeper areas of the pitch and developed into one of the
best passers and playmakers in football history.[244][245][246] His work-rate off the ball and defensive responsibilities
also decreased as his career progressed; by covering less ground on the pitch, and instead conserving his energy for
short bursts of speed, he was able to improve his efficiency, movement, and positional play, and was also able to
avoid muscular injuries, despite often playing a large number of matches throughout a particular season on a
consistent basis. Indeed, while he was injury-prone in his early career, he was later able to improve his injury record
by running less off the ball, and by adopting a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep schedule.[247]

Tactical positioning
Tactically, Messi plays in a free attacking role; a versatile player, he is capable of
attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch. His favoured position in
childhood was the playmaker behind two strikers, known as the enganche in Argentine
football, but he began his career in Spain as a left-winger or left-sided forward.[248]
Upon his first-team debut, he was moved onto the right wing by manager Frank
Rijkaard; from this position, he could more easily cut through the defence into the
middle of the pitch and curl shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly
cross balls for teammates.[230] Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often
played in a false nine role; positioned as a centre-forward or lone striker, he would roam
the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to
create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, Messi's
own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta.[36]

Under the stewardship of Luis Enrique, Messi initially returned to playing in the right- A versatile forward,
sided position that characterised much of his early career in the manager's 4–3–3 Messi often plays as a
formation, [249][250] while he was increasingly deployed in a deeper, free playmaking role classic number 10.

in later seasons.[251][252] Under manager Ernesto Valverde, Messi played in a variety of

roles. While he occasionally continued to be deployed in a deeper role, from which he could make runs from behind
into the box,[253] or even on the right wing[254] or as a false nine,[255][256] he was also used in a more offensive,
central role in a 4–2–3–1,[252] or as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation, where he was once again given the licence
to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, orchestrate his team's attacking plays, and create chances for his attacking
partner Luis Suárez.[257][258] With the Argentina national team, Messi has similarly played anywhere along the
frontline. Under various managers, he has been employed on the right wing, as a false nine, as an out-and-out striker,
in a supporting role alongside another forward, or in a deeper, free creative role as a classic number 10 playmaker or
attacking midfielder behind the strikers.[259][260]

Reception
Messi is widely regarded as one of the two best players of his generation, alongside Portuguese forward Cristiano
Ronaldo,[261] and one of the greatest footballers of all time.[262] A prodigious talent as a teenager, Messi established
himself among the world's best players before age 20.[263] Shortly after teammate Ronaldinho won the 2005 Ballon
d'Or, he commented, "I'm not even the best at Barça" in reference to his 18-year-old protégé.[264]

Four years later, after Messi won his first Ballon d'Or by a record margin,[78] the public debate regarding his qualities
as a player moved beyond his status in contemporary football to the possibility that he was one of the greatest players
in history.[23][228][265] An early proponent was his then-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who, as early as August
2009, declared Messi to be the best player he had ever seen.[266] In the following years, this opinion gained greater
acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players.[89][267] By the end of Barça's second treble-
winning season, the view of Messi as one of the greatest footballers of all time had become the apparent view among
many fans and pundits in continental Europe.[268][269]

Messi would receive dismissals by critics throughout his career based on the fact that he had not won an international
tournament at senior level with Argentina.[270][271][272] However, his subsequent victories in the 2021 Copa América
and the 2022 FIFA World Cup resulted in him finally winning every top tier trophy at both the club and country
levels, an achievement that many pundits felt cemented Messi's legacy.[262]

Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo

Among his contemporary peers, Messi is most often compared and contrasted with
Cristiano Ronaldo, who many consider his career rival.[261] Both achieved numerous
individual accolades, won dozens of trophies for both club and country, and are the
two leading goal scorers in history. Although Messi has at times denied any
rivalry,[273][274] they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the
best player in the world.[275] Pundits have compared the ongoing rivalry to past sports
rivalries like the Muhammad Ali–Joe Frazier rivalry in boxing, the Prost–Senna
rivalry in motorsport, and the tennis rivalries between Federer–Nadal and Borg–
McEnroe.[276]

Fans and pundits alike regularly argue the individual merits of both players.[275][277]
Messi is lauded for his combination of dribbling, playmaking, passing and Messi has been compared
goalscoring, while Ronaldo has received praise for his exceptional speed and with Cristiano Ronaldo (left)
athleticism, goalscoring skills, and performance under pressure. [278][279] Beyond their throughout much of their
playing styles, the debate also revolves around their differing physiques – Ronaldo is careers.
1.87 m (6 ft 11⁄2 in) with a muscular build, compared to Messi's smaller size – and
contrasting public personalities with Ronaldo's self-confidence and theatrics a foil to
Messi's humility.[280] Regarding individual achievements, Messi has won eight Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five,[281]
eight FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six European Golden Shoes to Ronaldo's four.[282] Off
the pitch, Ronaldo is his direct competitor in terms of salary, sponsorships, and social media fanbase.[283]

Messi's head-to-head record against teams that feature Ronaldo consists of 15 wins, 9 draws, and 10 losses in
competitive club matches, one win and loss each in international friendlies, and one win in a club friendly. The first
competitive matchup between the two occurred in 2008, when Ronaldo's Manchester United were drawn to play
Messi's Barcelona in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where Ronaldo and Manchester United
would eventually advance 1–0 on aggregate, and go on to win the final.[284] The two players and their teams would
meet again in the next year's Champions League, this time in the final, with Messi and Barcelona emerging as the
victors after a 2–0 result.[285] After this, Ronaldo would transfer to Real Madrid, the main rivals of Barcelona, and
from 2009–10 to 2017–18, Messi faced Ronaldo at least twice every season in El Clásico, which ranks among the
world's most viewed annual sports events.[286][283] Ronaldo's would then transfer to Juventus in the summer of 2018;
their final matchup in a competitive match would occur during a 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage
match, where Ronaldo's two goals from the penalty spot helped Juventus to a 3–0 victory against Messi's
Barcelona.[287] After Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus, Messi stated: "I miss Cristiano. Although it was a bit
difficult to see him win trophies, he gave La Liga prestige."[288]

Following Messi leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, a number of football critics, commentators,
and players have opined that Messi settled the debate between the two players.[289][290]

Comparisons with Diego Maradona

Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his compatriot Diego
"I have seen the player
Maradona, who was also considered the best player of his generation and one of
who will inherit my place
greatest in the history of the sport.[292][293] This was due to their short statures, their
in Argentinian football
similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed playmakers, and the fact that they
and his name is Messi."
both came from Argentina.[294] Initially, Messi was merely one of many young
Argentine players to receive the "New Maradona" moniker, but as his career
– Diego Maradona hailing
the 18-year-old Messi as his progressed, Messi proved his similarity beyond all previous contenders, establishing
successor in February himself as the best player Argentina had produced since Maradona.[33][295] Even
2006.[291] when Messi was 18 years old, Maradona called him the best player in the world and
hailed him as his successor.[291] Messi and Maradona would work together as player
and manager for Argentina's national side from 2008 through the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the latter thoroughly
impressed with the former's skills.[296] It was during this period that Messi was given Argentina's number 10 shirt
that Maradona famously wore. Maradona gave Messi his blessing, telling him: "the No 10 is yours. There's nobody
better than you to wear it."[195]

During the early and middle parts of his career, Messi was generally held in
lesser esteem than Maradona in Argentine society. Part of this had to do with
Messi's lack of tournament success and perceived uneven output with the
national team during this period – Maradona had famously led Argentina to
victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup with a dominant overall performance,
which set expectations for Messi to do the same.[270][292][297] Also unlike
Maradona, Messi never played in the Argentine Primera División, therefore
depriving his countrymen a chance to watch him develop and prove himself,
and through no fault of his own would do this overseas in La Liga Due to their similar size and style of
play, Messi was constantly
instead.[27][297] Argentines also identified more with the fiery, extroverted and
compared with his compatriot Diego
controversial Maradona who came from the slums, character traits that they Maradona by pundits and his
felt aligned with their national values, as opposed to the reserved, introverted countrymen.
and unassuming Messi who had a comparable unremarkable upbringing in
Rosario.[272][297][298] Several pundits, footballing figures, and Maradona
himself would point to this temperament to question Messi's leadership capabilities for the national
team.[270][299][300] Furthermore, Messi's lack of outward passion for the Albiceleste shirt, early tendency not to sing
the national anthem, and disinclination to emotional displays have in the past led to the false perception that he felt
more Catalan rather than truly Argentine.[198][301] However, despite having lived in Barcelona since age 13, Messi
rejected the option of representing Spain internationally, saying: "Argentina is my country, my family, my way of
expressing myself. I would change all my records to make the people in my country happy."[302]
Football journalist Tim Vickery stated the perception of Messi among
Argentines changed in 2019, with Messi making a conscious effort to become
"more one of the group, more Argentine".[301] Other pundits noted that Messi
had grown more assertive as a leader during the 2019 Copa América by
becoming more vocal with his teammates both on and off the pitch, finally
singing the national anthem with the team before matches, and speaking with
journalists at length after matches, the latter of which he rarely did for
Barcelona.[303] Following the 2022 World Cup win for Messi and Argentina,
A mural featuring both Maradona
Vickery felt that Messi would now be held in the same esteem by his and Messi following Argentina's
compatriots as Maradona.[301] Former footballer turned journalist Jorge World Cup win in 2022.
Valdano said he saw a "Maradonian" edge to Messi's performances during the
tournament, while compatriot Osvaldo Ardiles mentioned that Messi's
provoking actions against the Netherlands side during the quarter-final were "more of a Maradona reaction," further
endearing Messi to his countrymen.[304][305] Messi himself later remarked that the World Cup victory "won over all
the people of Argentina. Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me and that's a beautiful feeling."[306]

In popular culture

Popularity
Messi was among the Time 100, an annual list of the world's most influential
people, in 2011, 2012 and 2023.[307][308][309] According to a 2014 survey in
15 international markets, Messi was familiar to 87% of respondents around
the world, of whom 78% perceived him favourably, making him the second-
most recognised player globally, behind Ronaldo, and the most likable of all
contemporary players.[310][311] World Press Photo selected "The Final Game",
a photo of Messi facing the World Cup trophy after Argentina's final defeat to
Germany, as the best sports image of 2014.[312] On his economic impact on
the city in which he plays, Terry Gibson called him a "tourist attraction".[313]
Messi's success on the pitch earned
His fanbase on Facebook is among the largest of public figures: within seven him several lucrative endorsement
deals along with widespread
hours of its launch in April 2011, Messi's Facebook page had nearly seven
recognition and popularity.
million followers, and by July 2023 he had over 114 million followers, the
second highest for a sportsperson after Cristiano Ronaldo.[314][315] He has
over 500 million Instagram followers, the second highest for an individual and sportsperson after Ronaldo.[316] His
World Cup celebration post from 18 December 2022 is the most liked post on Instagram with over 75 million
likes.[317]

On 20 March 2023, during a return to Buenos Aires following his World Cup victory, Messi was mobbed by
hundreds of adoring fans when he and his family were out to dinner. When news spread where Messi and his family
were, the restaurant was soon surrounded by locals hoping to get a glimpse of their World Cup-winning captain.
Police assistance would be needed to get Messi back to his car in the early hours of the morning.[318] In April 2023,
Messi was featured in the 200 year old Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala, India.[319] During the festival, umbrellas
carrying the illuminated cut outs of Messi holding the World Cup trophy were displayed on the top of caparisoned
elephants during the Kudamattam ceremony.[320] In December 2023, a set of shirts Messi had worn during the 2022
World Cup was sold at auction for 7.8 million dollars.[321]

During an exhibition match on 4 February 2024 in which Inter Miami faced off against the Hong Kong League
players at Hong Kong Stadium, Messi would remain on the bench the entire game, causing massive backlash in
Hong Kong and China as a result.[322] A Messi commercial was taken off air in those regions,[323] while others
remained despite pressure from Chinese social-media users.[324][325][326] Furthermore, the Chinese Football
Association temporarily halted its partnership with the Argentine Football Association over the incident on 8
February.[327]

Wealth and sponsorships

Messi was the world's highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014; he was the first player
to exceed the €40 million benchmark, with earnings of €41 million in 2013, and the €50–€60 million points, with
income of €65 million in 2014.[328][329] Messi was second on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid athletes, after
Cristiano Ronaldo, with income of $81 million from salary and endorsements in 2015–16.[330] In 2018 he was the
first player to exceed the €100m benchmark for a calendar year, with earnings of €126m ($154m) in combined
income from salaries, bonuses and endorsements.[331] Forbes ranked him the world's highest-paid athlete in
2019.[332] From 2008, he was Barcelona's highest-paid player, receiving a salary that increased incrementally from
€7.8 million to €13 million over the next five years.[333][334][106] Signing a new contract in 2017, he earned $667,000
per week in wages, and Barcelona paid him $60 million as a signing on bonus.[335] His buyout clause was set at
$835 million (€700 million).[335] In 2020, Messi became the second footballer, as well as the second athlete in a team
sport, after Ronaldo, to surpass $1 billion in earnings during their careers.[336]

In addition to salary and bonuses, much of Messi's income derives from

endorsements; SportsPro has consequently cited him as one of the world's
most marketable athletes every year since their research began in 2010.[338]
His main sponsor since 2006 is Adidas. As Barcelona's leading youth
prospect, he was signed with Nike since age 14, but transferred to Adidas after
they successfully challenged their rival's claim to his image rights in
court.[339] Messi established himself as their leading brand endorser;[283] from
2008, he had a long-running signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in
Messi's Argentina jersey, supplied
by Adidas, was sold out worldwide
2015, became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas
during the 2022 World Cup. [337] boots, the Adidas Messi.[340][341] Since 2017, he has worn the latest version
of the Adidas Nemeziz.[342] In 2015, a Barcelona jersey with Messi's name
and number was the best-selling replica jersey worldwide.[343] At the 2022
World Cup, Adidas sold out Messi's No. 10 Argentina jersey worldwide.[337]

As a commercial entity, Messi's brand has been based exclusively on his

talents and achievements as a player, in contrast to arguably more glamorous
players like Ronaldo and David Beckham. At the start of his career, he thus
mainly held sponsorship contracts with companies that employ sports-
oriented marketing, such as Adidas, Pepsi, and Konami.[345][346] From 2010,
concurrently with increased achievements as a player, his marketing appeal
widened, leading to long-term endorsement deals with luxury brands Dolce &
Gabbana and Audemars Piguet.[345][347] Messi is a global brand ambassador
for Gillette, Turkish Airlines, Ooredoo, and Tata Motors, among other After blessing himself, Messi often
celebrates a goal by pointing a
companies.[348][349][350][351] Messi was the face of Konami's video game
finger on each hand towards the sky
series Pro Evolution Soccer, appearing on the covers of PES 2009, PES 2010,
in dedication to his late
PES 2011 and PES 2020. He subsequently signed with rival company EA grandmother.[344] His goal
Sports to become the face of their series FIFA and appeared on consecutive celebration features in the FIFA
covers from FIFA 13 to FIFA 16.[352][353] video game series.

In 2013, a Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi, in which he engages

in a selfie competition with Kobe Bryant, was the most-watched ad on YouTube in 2013, receiving 137 million
views, and was voted the best advertisement of the 2005–15 decade to commemorate YouTube's founding.[354][355]
In June 2021, Messi signed a five-year deal to become an ambassador for the Hard Rock Cafe brand. He stated,
"sports and music are an integral part of my life. It is an honor to be the first athlete to partner with a brand who has a
history of teaming with music legends."[356]

In May 2022, Messi was unveiled as Saudi Arabia's tourism ambassador. Due to Saudi Arabia's poor human rights
record, Messi was condemned for the role which was viewed as an attempt of Saudi sportswashing.[357][358]

Philanthropy
Throughout his career, Messi has been involved in charitable efforts aimed at vulnerable children, a commitment that
stems in part from the medical difficulties he faced in his own childhood. Since 2004, he has contributed his time and
finances to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), an organisation with which Barcelona also have a strong
association.[359][360] Messi has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since his appointment in March 2010,
completing his first field mission for the organisation four months later as he travelled to Haiti to bring public
awareness to the plight of the country's children in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He has since participated
in UNICEF campaigns targeting HIV prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children.[361] To
celebrate his son's first birthday, in November 2013, Messi and Thiago were part of a publicity campaign to raise
awareness of mortality rates among disadvantaged children.[362]

In addition to his work with UNICEF, Messi founded his own charitable organisation,
the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to health care, education, and sport
for children.[363] It was established in 2007 following a visit Messi paid to a hospital
for terminally ill children in Boston, an experience that resonated with him to the
point that he decided to reinvest part of his earnings into society.[364] Through his
foundation, Messi has awarded research grants, financed medical training, and
invested in the development of medical centres and projects in Argentina, Spain, and
elsewhere in the world.[364][365] In addition to his own fundraising activities, such as
his global "Messi and Friends" football matches, his foundation receives financial
support from various companies to which he has assigned his name in endorsement
agreements, with Adidas as their main sponsor.[366][367] A gold replica of his left foot,
Messi (pictured in 2007)
weighing 25 kg (55 lb) and valued at $5.3 million, went on sale in Japan in 2013 to
has worked with UNICEF raise funds for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[368]
since 2004 and has served
as a UNICEF Goodwill Messi has also invested in youth football in Argentina: he financially supports
Ambassador since 2010. Sarmiento, a football club based in the Rosario neighbourhood where he was born,
committing in 2013 to the refurbishment of their facilities and the installation of all-
weather pitches, and funds the management of several youth players at Newell's Old
Boys and rival club Rosario Central, as well as at River Plate and Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires.[364] At Newell's Old
Boys, his boyhood club, he funded the 2012 construction of a new gymnasium and a dormitory inside the club's
stadium for their youth academy. His former youth coach at Newell's, Ernesto Vecchio, is employed by the Leo
Messi Foundation as a talent scout for young players.[27] On 7 June 2016, Messi won a libel case against La Razón
newspaper and was awarded €65,000 in damages, which he donated to the charity Médecins Sans Frontières.[369]
Messi made a donation worth €1 million ($1.1 million) to fight the spread of coronavirus.[370] This was split between
Clinic Barcelona in Barcelona and his native Argentina.[371] In addition to this, Messi along with his fellow FC
Barcelona teammates announced he would be taking a 70% cut in salaries during the 2020 coronavirus emergency,
and contribute further to the club to provide fully to salaries of all the clubs employees.[372]

In November 2016, with the Argentine Football Association being run by a FIFA committee for emergency due to an
economic crisis, it was reported that three of the national team's security staff told Messi that they had not received
their salaries for six months. He stepped in and paid the salaries of the three members.[373][374] In February 2021,
Messi donated to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya his Adidas shoes which he wore when he scored his 644th
goal for Barcelona and broke Pelé's record for most goals scored for a single club; the shoes were later auctioned off
in April by the museum for charity to help children with cancer and were sold for £125,000.[375]

In advance of the 2021 Copa América, Messi donated three signed shirts to the Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac
Biotech—whose directors spoke of their admiration for Messi—in order to secure 50,000 doses of Sinovac's
COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac, in the hope of vaccinating all of South America's football players.[376] A deal
brokered by Uruguay's president Luis Lacalle Pou, the plan to prioritise football players caused some controversy
given widespread vaccine scarcity in the region, with the Mayor of Canelones Yamandú Orsi remarking that "Just as
the president manifested cooperation with CONMEBOL to vaccinate for the Copa América, he could just as well
have the same consideration for Canelones".[376]

In January 2025, Messi was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the
United States, by President Joe Biden for his contributions in supporting healthcare and education programs for
children around the world.[377] He would be unable to attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts, but sent a
letter expressing his appreciation for the honor and his hopes of meeting President Biden at a later date.[378]

Public art
Street art and public murals depicting Messi are regularly painted around the
world.[379][380] One prominent artwork that went viral is the Sistine Chapel of
Football, a parody of Leonardo Da Vinci's The Creation of Adam that features both
Messi and Diego Maradona, along with several other prominent Argentine footballers.
The work is exhibited at the Sportivo Pereyra club from Barracas in Buenos
Aires.[381]

Several public sculptures with Messi's likeness have been erected. Madame Tussauds
unveiled their first wax sculpture of Messi at Wembley Stadium in 2012.[382] After
the announcement of his first retirement from the international team in June 2016, a
bronze statue of Messi was erected in Buenos Aires days later in an attempt to
convince him to return.[383] A life-sized statue of Messi holding the World Cup trophy One of many street art
was unveiled outside the CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque, Paraguay in March displays depicting Messi.
2023, a few months after Argentina's World Cup win. The statue would stand
alongside those of Pelé and Diego Maradona.[384]

Media
Messi, a documentary by filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August 2014.[385]
Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend, a biographical docuseries focusing on Messi's career, his highs and lows
with the Argentina national football team, and fairytale ending of with the 2022 FIFA World Cup, aired on Apple
TV+ on 21 February 2024.[386]

Business ventures
On 4 June 2024, Messi announced the release of Más+, an American brand of sports and energy drinks.[387] Messi
created the drink because he couldn't find a flavorful and healthy hydration option that suited his needs.[388] The
drink was teased to debut in Miami, Florida, on 13 June 2024. It was released in Publix and Walmart stores and made
available for delivery on Gopuff in South Florida the following day.[387] Más+ is affiliated with White Claw Hard
Seltzer founder Mark Anthony.[389]

Later that year, on 19 September 2024, Messi announced that he would be launching a production company called
525 Rosario, named after his hometown. Headquartered in Miami and Los Angeles, the company was created to
produce film, sporting events and branded commercials for athletes worldwide. It would be a joint venture with
Smuggler Entertainment, who co-produced Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend earlier in 2024.[390]

Personal life

Family and relationships

Since 2008, Messi has been in a relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, who he eventually married on 30 June 2017 in
their hometown of Rosario.[391][392] He has known Roccuzzo since he was five years old, as she is the cousin of his
childhood best friend, Lucas Scaglia, who is also a football player.[393] After keeping their relationship private for a
year, Messi first confirmed their romance in an interview in January 2009, before going public a month later during a
carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona–Espanyol derby.[394]

Messi and Roccuzzo have three sons. To celebrate his partner's first pregnancy, Messi placed the ball under his shirt
after scoring in Argentina's 4–0 win against Ecuador on 2 June 2012, before confirming the pregnancy in an
interview two weeks later.[395] Thiago was born in Barcelona on 2 November 2012.[396] In April 2015, Messi
confirmed that they were expecting another child.[397] In October 2017, his wife announced they were expecting
their third child.[398] Messi and his family are Catholic.[399]

Messi enjoys a close relationship with his immediate family members, particularly his mother, Celia, whose face he
has tattooed on his left shoulder. His professional affairs are largely run as a family business: his father, Jorge, has
been his agent since he was 14, and his oldest brother, Rodrigo, handles his daily schedule and publicity. His mother
and other brother, Matías, manage his charitable organization, the Leo Messi Foundation, and take care of personal
and professional matters in Rosario.[400]

Since leaving for Spain aged 13, Messi has maintained close ties to his hometown of Rosario, even preserving his
distinct Rosarino accent. He has kept ownership of his family's old house, although it has long stood empty; he
maintains a penthouse apartment in an exclusive residential building for his mother, as well as a family compound
just outside the city. Once when he was in training with the national team in Buenos Aires, he made a three-hour trip
by car to Rosario immediately after practice to have dinner with his family, spent the night with them, and returned to
Buenos Aires the next day in time for practice. Messi keeps in daily contact via phone and text with a small group of
confidants in Rosario, most of whom were fellow members of "The Machine of '87" at Newell's Old Boys. He was
on bad terms with the club after his transfer to Barcelona, but by 2012 their public feud had ended, with Newell's
embracing their ties with Messi, even issuing a club membership card to his newborn son.[27][364][401] Messi has long
planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's.[402] Messi holds triple citizenship, as he is a citizen
of Argentina, Italy, and Spain.[403]

Tax fraud
Messi's financial affairs came under investigation in 2013 for suspected tax evasion. Offshore companies in tax
havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings between 2007
and 2009. An unrelated shell company in Panama set up in 2012 was subsequently identified as belonging to the
Messis in the Panama Papers data leak. Messi, who pleaded ignorance of the alleged scheme, voluntarily paid arrears
of €5.1 million in August 2013. On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were
handed suspended 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7 million and €1.4 million in
fines.[404] Facing the judge, he said, "I just played football. I signed the contracts because I trusted my dad and the
lawyers and we had decided that they would take charge of those things."[405]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 9 November 2024
 Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
National
League Continental[b] Other Total
Club Season cup[a]
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

Barcelona Tercera
C 2003–04[406] División
10 5 — — — 10 5

Segunda
2003–04[407] División 5 0 — — — 5 0
B
Barcelona
Segunda
B
2004–05[408] División 17 6 — — — 17 6
B

Total 22 6 — — — 22 6

2004–05[408] La Liga 7 1 1 0 1 0 — 9 1

2005–06[409] La Liga 17 6 2 1 6 1 0 0 25 8

2006–07[410] La Liga 26 14 2 2 5 1 3[c] 0 36 17

2007–08[411] La Liga 28 10 3 0 9 6 — 40 16

2008–09[412] La Liga 31 23 8 6 12 9 — 51 38

2009–10[413] La Liga 35 34 3 1 11 8 4[d] 4 53 47

2010–11[414] La Liga 33 31 7 7 13 12 2[e] 3 55 53

2011–12[415] La Liga 37 50 7 3 11 14 5[f] 6 60 73

2012–13[416] La Liga 32 46 5 4 11 8 2[e] 2 50 60

Barcelona
2013–14[417] La Liga 31 28 6 5 7 8 2[e] 0 46 41

2014–15[418] La Liga 38 43 6 5 13 10 — 57 58

2015–16[419] La Liga 33 26 5 5 7 6 4[g] 4 49 41

2016–17[420] La Liga 34 37 7 5 9 11 2[e] 1 52 54

2017–18[421] La Liga 36 34 6 4 10 6 2[e] 1 54 45

2018–19[422] La Liga 34 36 5 3 10 12 1[e] 0 50 51

2019–20[423] La Liga 33 25 2 2 8 3 1[e] 1 44 31

2020–21[424] La Liga 35 30 5 3 6 5 1[e] 0 47 38

Total 520 474 80 56 149 120 29 22 778 672

2021–22[425] Ligue 1 26 6 1 0 7 5 — 34 11
Paris
Saint- 2022–23[426] Ligue 1 32 16 1 0 7 4 1[h] 1 41 21
Germain
Total 58 22 2 0 14 9 1 1 75 32

2023 MLS 6 1 1 0 — 7[i] 10 14 11

Inter
Miami 2024 MLS 19 20 — 3[j] 2 3[k] 1 25 23

Total 25 21 1 0 3 2 10 11 39 34

Career total 635 528 83 56 166 131 40 34 924 749

a. Includes Copa del Rey, Coupe de France, U.S. Open Cup

b. All appearances in UEFA Champions League, unless otherwise noted
c. One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in Supercopa de España
d. One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance and two goals in Supercopa de España, two
appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup
e. Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
f. One appearance and one goal in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and three goals in Supercopa de
España, two appearances and two goals in FIFA Club World Cup
g. One appearance and two goals in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and one goal in Supercopa de
España, one appearance and one goal in FIFA Club World Cup
h. Appearance in Trophée des Champions
i. Appearances in Leagues Cup
j. Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
k. Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs

International

As of match played 19 November 2024

 Appearances and goals by national team, year and competition
Competitive Friendly Total
Team Year
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals

2004 — 2 3 2 3

Argentina U20[185][427] 2005 16[a] 11 — 16 11

Total 16 11 2 3 18 14

2008 5[b] 2 — 5[α] 2

[428][429]
Argentina U23
Total 5 2 0 0 5 2

2005 3[c] 0 2 0 5 0

2006 3[d] 1 4 1 7 2

2007 10[e] 4 4 2 14 6

2008 6[f] 1 2 1 8 2

2009 8[f] 1 2 2 10 3

2010 5[g] 0 5 2 10 2

2011 8[h] 2 5 2 13 4

2012 5[i] 5 4 7 9 12

2013 5[i] 3 2 3 7 6

2014 7[j] 4 7 4 14 8

Argentina[433][434] 2015 6[k] 1 2 3 8 4

2016 10[l] 8 1 0 11 8

2017 5[m] 4 2 0 7 4

2018 4[n] 1 1 3 5 4

2019 6[o] 1 4 4 10 5

2020 4[p] 1 — 4 1

2021 16[q] 9 — 16 9

2022 10[r] 8 4 10 14 18

2023 5[s] 3 3 5 8 8

2024 9[t] 4 2 2 11 6

Total 135 61 56 51 191 112

Career total 156 74 58 54 213 128

a. Nine appearances and five goals in the 2005 South American U-20 Championship, seven
appearances and six goals in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.
b. Appearances in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
c. Appearances in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification.
d. Appearances in 2006 FIFA World Cup.
e. Six appearances and two goals in 2007 Copa América, four appearances and two goals in 2010 FIFA
World Cup qualification.
f. Appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.
g. Appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup.
h. Four appearances in 2011 Copa América, four appearances and two goals in 2014 FIFA World Cup
qualification.
 i. Appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.
j. Appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup.
k. Appearances in 2015 Copa América.
l. Five appearances and three goals in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, five appearances and five
goals in Copa América Centenario.
m. Appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.
n. Appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup.
o. Appearances in 2019 Copa América.
p. Appearances in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.
q. Nine appearances and five goals in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, seven appearances and four
goals in 2021 Copa América.
r. Two appearances and one goal in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, one appearance in 2022
Finalissima, seven appearances and seven goals in 2022 FIFA World Cup.
s. Appearances in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
t. Five appearances and one goal in 2024 Copa América, four appearances and three goals in 2026
FIFA World Cup qualification.

Honours
Barcelona[11][12][20]

La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13,

2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19
Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17,
2017–18, 2020–21
Supercopa de España:[note 3] 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016,
2018
UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015 Messi (Golden Ball winner)
pictured with future teammate
Paris Saint-Germain[12][20]
Neymar (Bronze Ball winner) at
the conclusion of the 2011 FIFA
Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23
Club World Cup final.
Trophée des Champions: 2022
Inter Miami[12][13][20]

Supporters' Shield: 2024

Leagues Cup: 2023
Argentina U20[12][20]

FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005

Argentina U23[12][20]

Olympic Games: 2008

Argentina[12][20]

FIFA World Cup: 2022

Copa América: 2021, 2024
Finalissima: 2022
Individual
 Ballon d'Or: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023[note 2]
FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d'Or/The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2015, 2019, 2022, 2023[note 2]
European Golden Shoe: 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19[140][435]
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022[12][436]
FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011[12]
FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005[12]
FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005[12]
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2008–09
UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2010–11, 2014–15
UEFA Champions League top scorer: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2018–19
Copa América Golden Ball: 2015, 2021
Copa América Golden Boot: 2021
La Liga Best Player: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15,[437][438][439] 2016–
17,[440] 2017–18,[441] 2018–19[442][443]
MLS Most Valuable Player: 2024[183]
Pichichi Trophy: 2009−10, 2011–12, 2012−13, 2016–17, 2017−18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020,[436] 2023[444]
Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020[445]
FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[446][447]
Argentine Sportsperson of the Year: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023[448]
Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017,
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[437][436][449]
Orders

Creu de Sant Jordi, Catalonia (30 April 2019)[450]

Presidential Medal of Freedom, United States (4 January 2025)[377][451]

See also

portal portal
Association
football portal
Argentina portal

Biography portal

European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics

La Liga records and statistics
List of Argentina international footballers
List of FC Barcelona players
List of FC Barcelona records and statistics
List of Paris Saint-Germain F.C. players
List of Inter Miami CF players
List of FIFA World Cup winning players
List of largest sports contracts
List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
 List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals
List of men's footballers with the most official appearances
List of most-followed Instagram accounts
List of most-liked Instagram posts
List of top international men's football goalscorers by country
List of players who have appeared in the most FIFA World Cups
List of association football rivalries

Notes
1. According to FCBarcelona.com, and his authorised biography, Messi by Guillem Balagué, his surname
is the single "Messi", in accordance with Argentine customs.[2][3] Other sources, including a 2014
document by FIFA, give his surname as the double "Messi Cuccittini".[4] After winning a libel case in
2017, Messi's own management company stated: "The football player Lionel Andres Messi
Cuccittini has donated a total of €72,783.20 to the organisation Doctors Without Borders."[5]
2. Messi received France Football 's 2009 Ballon d'Or and FIFA's 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year
award, prior to their six-year merger; he proceeded to win the newly formed award, the FIFA Ballon
d'Or, four times—2010, 2011, 2012, 2015. Both organisations credited him with five (FIFA) Ballon d'Or
awards.[6][7][8] He then went on to win the Ballon d'Or three more times—2019, 2021, 2023—again
assigned by the sole France Football, and won the newly established The Best FIFA Men's Player
three times as well—2019, 2022, 2023. France Football recognizes him as a record eight-time Ballon
d'Or winner and FIFA recognizes him as a record eight-time world's best player.[9][10]
3. According to FC Barcelona,[11] FIFA,[12] Major League Soccer,[13] the Royal Spanish Football
Federation,[14] and multiple media outlets,[15][16][17] Messi also won the 2005 Supercopa de España,
bringing his Barcelona trophy total to 35—and his career total to 46.[18] However, this particular trophy
is not credited here since Messi was out of the squad and did not feature in any of the two games
against Real Betis.[19][20]
α. Does not include an unofficial friendly match played on 24 May 2008 in Barcelona between Argentina
U23 and the Catalonia national football team,[430][431] as Catalonia is not affiliated with either FIFA or
UEFA as a national member association and is therefore not allowed to participate in official
competitions.[432]

References
1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Squad List: Argentina (ARG)" (https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/p
df/SquadLists-English.pdf) (PDF). FIFA. 18 December 2022. p. 1. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20221218195301/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf) (PDF) from the
original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
2. "Profile: Lionel Andrés Messi" (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/messi). FC
Barcelona. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20141018100823/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/footba
ll/first-team/staff/players/messi) from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
3. Balagué 2013, pp. 32–37.
4. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (https://web.archive.org/web/20140625085714/http://reso
urces.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf)
(PDF). FIFA. 10 June 2014. p. 2. Archived from the original (http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/to
urnament/competition/02/36/33/44/fwc_2014_squadlists_neutral.pdf) (PDF) on 25 June 2014.
Retrieved 8 September 2015.
5. Marsden, Sam (2 November 2017). "Messi donates to charity after libel case win" (http://www.espn.in/f
ootball/barcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-n
ewspaper). ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210204030732/https://www.espn.in/footbal
l/barcelona/story/3255615/lionel-messi-donates-70k-to-charity-after-winning-libel-case-against-newspa
per) from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
 6. Lacombe, Rémy (11 January 2016). "Messi, le Cinquième Élément" (http://www.francefootball.fr/news/
messi-le-cinquieme-element/623615) [Messi, the Fifth Element]. France Football (in French). Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20240121175932/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/messi-le-cinquieme-
element/623615) from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
7. "Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015" (https://web.archive.org/web/2
0160202210654/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triump
h-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-2754944.html). FIFA. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original (https://ww
w.fifa.com/news/y=2016/m=1/news=messi-lloyd-luis-enrique-and-ellis-triumph-at-fifa-ballon-d-or-2015-
2754944.html) on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
8. Straeten, Karine van der; Laslier, Jean-François; Daoust, Jean-François; Blais, André; Arrondel, Luc;
Anderson, Christopher J. (2020). "Messi, Ronaldo, and the Politics of Celebrity Elections: Voting for
the Best Soccer Player in the World" (https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS1537592719002391). Perspectives
on Politics. 18 (1): 91–110. doi:10.1017/S1537592719002391 (https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS15375927
19002391). ISSN 1537-5927 (https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1537-5927).
9. "Ballon d'Or 2023 : Lionel Messi sacré pour la huitième fois" (https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/
Ballon-d-or-2023-lionel-messi-sacre-pour-la-huitieme-fois/1428922) [Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi
crowned for the eighth time] (in French). L'Equipe. 30 October 2023. Archived (https://web.archive.org/
web/20240121173444/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Ballon-d-or-2023-lionel-messi-sacre-p
our-la-huitieme-fois/1428922) from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
10. "Lionel Messi wins The Best FIFA Men's Player Award" (https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/the-best-fifa-fo
otball-awards/articles/lionel-messi-wins-best-fifa-mens-player-award-2023). FIFA. 15 January 2024.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240121173350/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/the-best-fifa-f
ootball-awards/articles/lionel-messi-wins-best-fifa-mens-player-award-2023) from the original on 21
January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024. "Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Men's
Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022 [...] Messi also won the 2019 Best FIFA Men's Player
award and was recognised by FIFA as the leading player in the men's game on five occasions prior to
that – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 – making this his eighth individual award in total."
11. "Messi wins 35th trophy with Barça" (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2105010/messi-wins-35th-t
rophy-with-barca). FC Barcelona. 17 April 2021. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202409010936
06/https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2105010/messi-wins-35th-trophy-with-barca) from the
original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
12. "The World Cup, The Best and all of Lionel Messi's trophy wins" (https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-f
ootball-awards/articles/the-world-cup-the-best-and-all-of-lionel-messis-trophy-wins). FIFA. 19 January
2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240715172803/https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-foo
tball-awards/articles/the-world-cup-the-best-and-all-of-lionel-messis-trophy-wins) from the original on
15 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
13. "Lionel Messi extends world record: Inter Miami win Supporters' Shield" (https://www.mlssoccer.com/n
ews/lionel-messi-extends-world-record-inter-miami-win-supporters-shield). Major League Soccer. 3
October 2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20241003063511/https://www.mlssoccer.com/ne
ws/lionel-messi-extends-world-record-inter-miami-win-supporters-shield) from the original on 3 October
2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
14. "Conditions regarding the marketing of the "Spanish Super Cup" audiovisual rights in the international
markets" (https://rfef.es/sites/default/files/pdf/supercopa_internacional_version_ingles_0.pdf) (PDF).
Royal Spanish Football Federation. 12 November 2019. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202407
25080758/https://rfef.es/sites/default/files/pdf/supercopa_internacional_version_ingles_0.pdf) (PDF)
from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024. "Lionel Messi is the competition's all-time
leading scorer and most successful player with eight titles."
15. Aldunate, Ramiro (18 April 2021). "The legend of Messi" (https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelon
a/2021/04/18/607bffa946163fcb5a8b4606.html). Marca. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202407
20184709/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/04/18/607bffa946163fcb5a8b4606.html)
from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
16. Corrigan, Dermot (18 April 2021). "Messi's magic has just won him a 35th trophy with Barcelona – but
will it be the last?" (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2524267/2021/04/18/messis-magic-has-just-won-
him-a-35th-trophy-with-barcelona-but-will-it-be-the-last/). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.a
rchive.org/web/20240720184707/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2524267/2021/04/18/messis-magic
-has-just-won-him-a-35th-trophy-with-barcelona-but-will-it-be-the-last/) from the original on 20 July
2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
17. Azzoni, Tales (1 July 2021). "Messi's future up in the air as Barcelona contract ends" (https://apnews.c
om/article/la-liga-barcelona-europe-health-coronavirus-pandemic-1096dbbaf349901147dfa850cf14d15
6). Associated Press. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
18. "Lionel Messi wins 46th trophy as Inter Miami secures 2024 Supporters' Shield" (https://www.marca.co
m/en/football/mls/2024/10/03/66fe2c0c46163f39848b4573.html). Marca. 3 October 2024. Archived (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20241006141118/https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2024/10/03/66fe2c
0c46163f39848b4573.html) from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
19. Romero Nuñez, Fernando (22 August 2023). "Messi wins first title at Miami, does he hold the all-time
record?" (https://buenosairesherald.com/sports/stars/messi/messi-wins-first-title-at-miami-does-he-hol
d-the-all-time-record). Buenos Aires Herald. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240720183552/ht
tps://buenosairesherald.com/sports/stars/messi/messi-wins-first-title-at-miami-does-he-hold-the-all-tim
e-record) from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
20. Maverino, Silvio (15 July 2024). "Lionel Messi se convirtió en el jugador más ganador de la historia del
fútbol" (https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/51880/lionel-messi-se-convirtio-en-el-jugador
-mas-ganador-de-la-historia-del-futbol) [Lionel Messi became the winningest player in football history].
El Gráfico (in Spanish). ISSN 0017-291X (https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0017-291X). Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20240716064037/https://www.elgrafico.com.ar/articulo/lionel-messi/51880/lion
el-messi-se-convirtio-en-el-jugador-mas-ganador-de-la-historia-del-futbol) from the original on 16 July
2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
21. "Messi | Ficha del jugador 20/21 | Delantero" (https://www.fcbarcelona.es/es/futbol/primer-equipo/juga
dores/4974/lionel-messi). FC Barcelona (in Spanish). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210811
113532/https://www.fcbarcelona.es/es/futbol/primer-equipo/jugadores/4974/lionel-messi) from the
original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
22. Caioli 2012, pp. 9–10.
23. Carlin, John (27 March 2010). "Lionel Messi: Magic in His Feet" (https://web.archive.org/web/2015070
5210947/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.ht
ml). The Independent. Archived from the original (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/l
ionel-messi-magic-in-his-feet-1928768.html) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
24. Balagué 2013, pp. 44–45.
25. Maume, Chris (11 July 2014). "Lionel Messi: The World at His Feet" (https://www.independent.co.uk/n
ews/people/profiles/lionel-messi-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html). The Independent. Archived (http
s://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/lionel-mes
si-the-world-at-his-feet-9601215.html) from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
26. Caioli 2012, p. 38.
27. Thompson, Wright (22 October 2012). "Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel
Messi and His Hometown in Argentina" (http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=Lionel-Messi).
ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20131014134319/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/
story?page=Lionel-Messi) from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
28. Fitzpatrick, Richard (23 June 2017). "The Machine of '87: Messi's Boyhood Teammates Recall Early
Signs of Greatness" (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717227-the-machine-of-87-messis-boyhood-te
ammates-recall-early-signs-of-greatness). Bleacher Report. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
70624155913/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2717227-the-machine-of-87-messis-boyhood-teammat
es-recall-early-signs-of-greatness) from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
29. Caioli 2012, pp. 31–35.
30. "Messi: Brazil striker Ronaldo my hero" (https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo
-my-hero). FourFourTwo. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220512043227/https://www.fourfourt
wo.com/news/messi-brazil-striker-ronaldo-my-hero) from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved
8 September 2018.
31. Cazadieu, Jérôme; Juillard, Alexandre; Traïni, Frédéric (15 November 2008). "Leo Messi: La Légende
d'El Enano" (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rosario-the-old-coach-and-the-kid-26496103.html)
[Leo Messi: The Legend of El Enano]. L'Équipe via Irish Independent. Archived (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20150926074749/http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rosario-the-old-coach-and-the-kid-264
96103.html) from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
32. Hawkey, Ian (20 April 2008). "Lionel Messi on a Mission" (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lionel-mes
si-on-a-mission-6d7lwj26fmw). The Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230819075002/htt
ps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lionel-messi-on-a-mission-6d7lwj26fmw) from the original on 19 August
2023. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
33. Wilson, Paul (16 July 2015). "Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi"
(https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/16/pablo-aimar-next-diego-maradona-argentina-ret
ired-age-35-valencia). The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150818042844/http://w
ww.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/16/pablo-aimar-next-diego-maradona-argentina-retired-age-
35-valencia) from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
34. "Leo Messi reveló el motivo por el que no fichó por River Plate" (https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/0
2/leo-messi-revelo-el-motivo-por-el-que-no-ficho-por-river-plate). Sports Illustrated. 2 June 2019.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240112091643/https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/02/leo-me
ssi-revelo-el-motivo-por-el-que-no-ficho-por-river-plate) from the original on 12 January 2024.
Retrieved 12 January 2024.
35. Lowe, Sid (15 October 2014). "Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a
Serviette" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/15/lionel-messi-barcelona-decade). The
Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150726182618/http://www.theguardian.com/footbal
l/blog/2014/oct/15/lionel-messi-barcelona-decade) from the original on 26 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July
2015.
36. Longman, Jeré (21 May 2011). "Lionel Messi: Boy Genius" (https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sport
s/soccer/lionel-messi-boy-genius.html). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20
160701125859/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-boy-genius.html) from
the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
37. Caioli 2012, pp. 61–62.
38. Balagué 2013, pp. 149.
39. Jenson, Pete (27 March 2010). "Fàbregas, Messi, Piqué: Class of 2002" (https://www.independent.co.
uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html). The Independent.
Archived (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/euro
pean/fabregas-messi-pique-class-of-2002-1928682.html) from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved
18 July 2015.
40. Hunter 2012, pp. 44–45.
41. "Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsène Wenger" (https://www.theguardi
an.com/football/2014/nov/21/arsenal-arsene-wenger-lionel-messi-barcelona). The Guardian. 21
November 2014. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150707002728/http://www.theguardian.com/
football/2014/nov/21/arsenal-arsene-wenger-lionel-messi-barcelona) from the original on 7 July 2015.
Retrieved 18 July 2015.
42. "The New Messiah" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141021172445/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/ar
chive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/index.html). FIFA. 5 March 2006. Archived from
the original (https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2006/news/newsid=103182/i
ndex.html) on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
43. "All time stats for Messi in the Barça youth teams" (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/
news/1692969/all-time-stats-for-messi-in-the-bara-youth-teams). FC Barcelona. Retrieved
23 September 2020.
44. Caioli 2012, pp. 68–71.
45. Bird, Liviu (5 June 2015). "Ex-Teammate, La Masia Coach Recall Lionel Messi's Early Days, Persona"
(https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/06/04/lionel-messi-champions-league-final-barcelona). Sports
Illustrated. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
46. "Giuly remembers the first time he saw Messi 'kill' his team-mates" (http://www.sport-english.com/en/n
ews/barca/giuly-remembers-the-first-time-saw-messi-kill-his-team-mates-5378823). Sport. 14
September 2016.
47. Corrigan, Dermot (16 October 2014). "The best quotes about Lionel Messi's 10 years at Barcelona" (ht
tp://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2089807/the-best-quotes-about-lionel-messis-10-yea
rs-at-barcelona). ESPN FC.
48. Corrigan, Dermot (15 November 2013). "Messi Reflects on Debut 10 Years On" (http://www.espnfc.co
m/spanish-primera-divisi%C3%B3n/story/1616845/lionel-messi-reflects-on-dream-barcelona-debut).
ESPN. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
49. Balagué 2013, pp. 191–193.
50. Balagué 2013, pp. 246–249.
51. Hunter 2012, p. 53.
52. Carbonell, Rafael (26 October 2004). "El Último Salto de la 'Pulga' " (http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/2
6/deportes/1098741604_850215.html) [The Last Jump of the 'Flea']. El País (in Spanish). Archived (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20151208171912/http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/26/deportes/1098741604_
850215.html) from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
53. Balagué 2013, pp. 183–185.
54. Balagué 2013, pp. 262–263.
55. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
03-04). BDFutbol. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
56. Hunter 2012, pp. 35–36.
57. Williams, Richard (24 February 2006). "Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm" (https://ww
w.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1). The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archi
ve.org/web/20081206234603/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1) from
the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
58. Hunter, Graham (4 June 2015). "Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite"
(http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2479062/messi-iniesta-xavi-can-join-champions-le
ague-greats). ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150723184250/http://www.espnfc.com/c
lub/barcelona/83/blog/post/2479062/messi-iniesta-xavi-can-join-champions-league-greats) from the
original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
59. "Starlet Messi Stays at Barça until 2014" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/342857). ESPN. 17 September
2005. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
60. Hunter 2012, pp. 266–269.
61. "Lionel Messi has admitted he 'deeply regrets' missing Barcelona's Champions League final
celebrations in 2006" (https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/liga/2021-2022/lionel-messi-has-admitted-h
e-deeply-regrets-missing-barcelonas-champions-league-final-celebrations-i_sto8656843/story.shtml).
Eurosport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220122205211/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/footbal
l/liga/2021-2022/lionel-messi-has-admitted-he-deeply-regrets-missing-barcelonas-champions-league-fi
nal-celebrations-i_sto8656843/story.shtml) from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 9 May
2023.
62. Lowe, Sid (12 March 2007). "There's Something about Messi" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2
007/mar/12/europeanfootball.sport1). The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201506181
55307/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/12/europeanfootball.sport1) from the original on
18 June 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
63. Hawkey, Ian (20 April 2008). "Lionel Messi on a Mission" (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lionel-mes
si-on-a-mission-6d7lwj26fmw). The Times. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
64. Mitten, Andy (10 June 2007). "Hand of Messi Saves Barcelona" (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/han
d-of-messi-saves-barcelona-q8dgljbwzx7). The Times. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
65. Davies, Christopher (24 February 2006). "Maradona Hails His Successor" (https://ghostarchive.org/arc
hive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails-his-successor.html). The
Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2332685/Maradona-hails
-his-successor.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2015. (subscription required)
66. "Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/536834/rijkaard-to-blame-for
-barca-decline-ingla). ESPN. 19 May 2008. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135656/htt
p://www.espnfc.com/story/536834/rijkaard-to-blame-for-barca-decline-ingla) from the original on 24
September 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
67. "Messi Has Ronaldinho's Number" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150328054707/http://www.fifa.com/
world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html). FIFA. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original
(https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/837/571/index.html) on 28 March 2015.
Retrieved 20 July 2015.
68. Balagué 2013, pp. 476–478.
69. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
08-09). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20211209091527/https://www.bdfutbol.com/e
n/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09) from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
70. Roden, Lee (20 April 2015). "Are Messi, Suarez and Neymar Barcelona's Best-Ever Front Three?" (htt
p://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2408047/barcelona-trio-of-lionel-messi-neymar-and-l
uis-suarez-the-clubs-best-ever). ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190615103455/http://
www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2408047/barcelona-trio-of-lionel-messi-neymar-and-luis-
suarez-the-clubs-best-ever) from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
71. Balagué 2013, pp. 453–459.
72. "Real Madrid v Barcelona: Six of the Best 'El Clásicos' " (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/htt
ps://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-th
e-best-El-Clasicos.html). The Daily Telegraph. 9 December 2011. Archived from the original (https://w
ww.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8946213/Real-Madrid-v-Barcelona-six-of-the-bes
t-El-Clasicos.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
73. "Barcelona Defeat Athletic Bilbao to Win Copa del Rey" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/htt
ps://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Co
pa-del-Rey.html). The Daily Telegraph. 14 May 2009. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.
co.uk/sport/football/european/5321324/Barcelona-defeat-Athletic-Bilbao-to-win-Copa-del-Rey.html) on
10 January 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
74. McNulty, Phil (27 May 2009). "Barcelona 2–0 Man Utd" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europ
e/8060878.stm). BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
75. Adams, Tom (21 May 2010). "The Treble Club" (https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012747/http://w
ww.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners). ESPN FC. Archived from the original
(http://www.espnfc.com/story/788735/the-treble-club-previous-winners) on 23 October 2017. Retrieved
26 July 2015.
76. "Barcelona Beat Estudiantes to Win the Club World Cup" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422
908.stm). BBC Sport. 19 December 2009. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20120323005910/htt
p://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8422908.stm) from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved
26 July 2015.
77. "Messi Sweeps up Goalscoring Honours" (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=8
33286.html). UEFA. 28 May 2009. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190510012328/https://ww
w.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=833286.html) from the original on 10 May 2019.
Retrieved 26 July 2015.
78. Balagué 2013, pp. 519–524.
79. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
09-10). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220318114330/https://www.bdfutbol.com/e
n/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10) from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
80. Lowe, Sid (17 May 2010). "La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty
Handed" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/17/la-liga-title-barcelona-madrid). The
Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240818155457/https://www.theguardian.com/footb
all/blog/2010/may/17/la-liga-title-barcelona-madrid) from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved
27 July 2015.
81. Haslam, Andrew (22 May 2010). "Messi Takes Scoring Plaudits" (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsl
eague/news/newsid=1490400.html). Uefa.com. UEFA. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2019032
2200627/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1490400.html) from the original
on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
82. Wilson, Joseph (30 September 2010). "Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer" (http://
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/sep/30/messi-receives-golden-boot-for-top-european-scor
er/). U-T San Diego. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20160827235600/http://www.sandiegounio
ntribune.com/news/2010/sep/30/messi-receives-golden-boot-for-top-european-scorer/) from the
original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
83. "Magic Messi Wins Supercopa for Barça" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/816500/magic-lionel-messi-win
s-supercopa-for-barca). ESPN FC. 21 August 2010. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201509241
40127/http://www.espnfc.com/story/816500/magic-lionel-messi-wins-supercopa-for-barca) from the
original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
84. McNulty, Phil (28 May 2011). "Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/135765
22). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20160128030307/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/f
ootball/13576522) from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
85. Lowe, Sid (11 January 2011). "Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's
Award" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/jan/11/lionel-messi-xavi-ballon-dor). The
Guardian. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
86. "Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark" (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/ne
wsid=1634951.html). Uefa.com. UEFA. 28 May 2011. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20110530
025624/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1634951.html) from the original on
30 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
87. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
10-11). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630194758/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/
p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11) from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
88. "Spanish Primera División Statistics: Top Assists 2010–11" (http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-di
vision/15/statistics/assists?season=2010). ESPN FC. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150709
063314/http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/statistics/assists?season=2010) from the
original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
89. Cascarino, Tony; Barclay, Patrick (27 May 2011). "Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer
Ever?" (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3041129.ece). The Times. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20150517125621/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/articl
e3041129.ece) from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
90. Hayward, Paul (7 January 2013). "FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012: Lionel Messi Rewarded for Displays No
Rival Could Ever Match" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/
football/players/lionel-messi/9786403/Fifa-Ballon-dOr-2012-Lionel-Messi-rewarded-for-displays-no-riva
l-could-ever-match.html). The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9786403/Fifa-Ballon-dOr-2012-Lionel-Messi-rewarded-for-displays-n
o-rival-could-ever-match.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
91. "Tempers Flare into Brawl as Barcelona Beats Real Madrid" (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/so
ccer/europe/2011-08-17-supercup-brawl-barcelona-real-madrid_n.htm). USA Today. 17 August 2011.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20201018175757/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/socce
r/europe/2011-08-17-supercup-brawl-barcelona-real-madrid_n.htm) from the original on 18 October
2020. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
92. Winter, Henry (26 August 2011). "Barcelona 2 Porto 0: Match Report" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/
20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-re
port.html). The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/e
uropean/8726103/Barcelona-2-Porto-0-match-report.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 30 July
2015.
93. "Barcelona Win FIFA Club World Cup" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16234168). BBC Sport.
18 December 2011. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20151222225555/http://www.bbc.co.uk/spor
t/0/football/16234168) from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
94. "Messi Crowned World's Best" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/1006543/2011-fifa-ballon-dor-lionel-messi
-crowned-worlds-best). ESPN FC. 9 January 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2019040523
2008/http://www.espnfc.com/story/1006543/2011-fifa-ballon-dor-lionel-messi-crowned-worlds-best)
from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
95. "Messi Wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award" (https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/awards/news/0250
-0c50f3bb01f8-2230f3d90345-1000--messi-wins-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award/). UEFA. 25 August
2011. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210818090834/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/award
s/news/0250-0c50f3bb01f8-2230f3d90345-1000--messi-wins-uefa-best-player-in-europe-award/) from
the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
96. "UEFA Champions League 2011–12: Statistics" (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2
012/statistics/index.html). UEFA. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190322121657/https://www.
uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/index.html) from the original on 22 March
2019. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
97. "Record-Breaking Messi Takes Top Scorer Honour" (http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/
newsid=1795767.html). UEFA. 19 May 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190510004431/
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1795767.html) from the original on 10 May
2019. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
98. "Lionel Messi as Dominant as Michael Jordan, Claims Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, After He Breaks
Goal Record" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/pla
yers/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-dominant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guar
diola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html). The Daily Telegraph. 21 March 2012. Archived from the
original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/9157192/Lionel-Messi-as-domi
nant-as-Michael-Jordan-claims-Barcelonas-Pep-Guardiola-after-he-breaks-goal-record.html) on 10
January 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
99. "Lionel Messi Receives Golden Boot Award as Europe's Top Scorer" (https://www.si.com/soccer/2012/
10/29/lionel-messi-golden-boot-barcelona-ap). Sports Illustrated. 29 October 2012. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20211017043849/https://www.si.com/soccer/2012/10/29/lionel-messi-golden-boot-
barcelona-ap) from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
100. "Messi Smashes Müller's 40-Year Record" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/1258108/messi-breaks-40-ye
ar-record-with-86th-goal-of-2012). ESPN FC. 9 December 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20190407214629/http://www.espnfc.com/story/1258108/messi-breaks-40-year-record-with-86th-goal
-of-2012) from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
101. Brassell, Andy (27 April 2012). "Pep Guardiola Leaves Lasting Legacy at Barcelona" (https://www.bbc.
co.uk/sport/0/football/17867892). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20131017214415/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17867892) from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved
30 July 2015.
102. Lowe, Sid (13 May 2013). "A Sense of Anticlimax but Barcelona Still Deserve Their La Liga Title" (http
s://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/13/barcelona-title-anti-climax). The Guardian.
Retrieved 9 August 2015.
103. Rogers, Iain (10 December 2012). "Fatherhood Hasn't Slowed Record-Breaking Messi" (https://web.ar
chive.org/web/20190408012732/https://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-spain-messi-idUKL5E8NA1RM20
121210). Reuters. Archived from the original (http://uk.reuters.com/article/soccer-spain-messi-idUKL5E
8NA1RM20121210) on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
104. Mohamed, Majid (8 January 2013). "Barcelona's Lionel Messi Becomes Most Decorated Player in
History after Winning Unprecedented Fourth Straight Ballon d'Or" (https://www.independent.co.uk/spor
t/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-messi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-
winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html). The Independent. Archived (https://ghostarchive.org/arc
hive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barcelonas-lionel-me
ssi-becomes-most-decorated-player-in-history-after-winning-unprecedented-fourth-8441605.html) from
the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
105. Chowdhury, Saj (9 January 2013). "Ballon d'Or Contenders Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta in Profile" (http
s://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20910453). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20130
107134704/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20910453) from the original on 7 January 2013.
Retrieved 9 August 2015.
106. Balagué 2013, p. 556.
107. "Messi Signs New Barcelona Deal" (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/07/sport/football/football-leo-messi-
barcelona/). CNN. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
108. Rogers, Iain (11 May 2013). "Captain Messi Inspires Another Barça League Triumph" (http://uk.reuters.
com/article/uk-soccer-spain-messi-idUKBRE94A0GW20130511). Reuters. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
109. "Lionel Messi Awarded Golden Shoe for Third Time after 46 La Liga Goals for Barcelona" (https://web.
archive.org/web/20190522051148/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-
awarded-golden-shoe-for-third-time-after-46-la-liga-goals-for-barcelona-8951828.html). The
Independent. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original (https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot
ball/european/lionel-messi-awarded-golden-shoe-for-third-time-after-46-la-liga-goals-for-barcelona-895
1828.html) on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
110. Caioli 2015, ch. 38.
111. Lowe, Sid (11 April 2013). "Messidependencia Brought into Focus as Barcelona Show Vulnerability" (h
ttps://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/apr/11/lionel-messi-barcelona-psg-champions-league).
The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
112. "Santos FC to face FC Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy" (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/firs
t-team/detail/article/santos-fc-to-face-fc-barcelona-in-the-joan-gamper-trophy-on-august-2).
FCBarcelona.com. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
113. "Barcelona win Super Cup against Atlético despite Messi's penalty miss" (https://www.theguardian.co
m/football/2013/aug/29/barcelona-super-cup-atletico-madrid-messi). Guardian. 28 August 2013.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210121010350/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/au
g/29/barcelona-super-cup-atletico-madrid-messi) from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved
29 August 2013.
114. Lowe, Sid (12 March 2014). "One Flick of Lionel Messi's Left Foot Ends Talk of Crisis at Barcelona" (htt
ps://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/mar/12/lionel-messi-barcelona-champions-league-manch
ester-city). The Guardian. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
115. "Barcelona's Lionel Messi: I Had a Lot of Problems during 2013–14 Season" (http://www.espnfc.com/b
arcelona/story/2306392/barcelona-lionel-messi-i-had-a-lot-of-problems-during-2013-14-season).
ESPN FC. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
116. "Barcelona appoint Luis Enrique as first-team coach" (https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27477125).
BBC Sport. 19 May 2014. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20140519221816/https://www.bbc.co
m/sport/0/football/27477125) from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
117. "Suárez joins Barça" (https://web.archive.org/web/20140712034551/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/footb
all/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-and-liverpool-fc-have-reached-an-agreement-for-the-transfer-of-
luis-suarez). FCBarcelona.com. 11 July 2014. Archived from the original (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/f
ootball/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-and-liverpool-fc-have-reached-an-agreement-for-the-transf
er-of-luis-suarez) on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
118. Tighe, Sam (13 May 2015). "Complete analysis of the new-look Barcelona under Luis Enrique" (https://
archive.today/20210619164850/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2463053-complete-analysis-of-the-
new-look-barcelona-under-luis-enrique). Bleacher Report. Archived from the original (https://bleacherre
port.com/articles/2463053-complete-analysis-of-the-new-look-barcelona-under-luis-enrique) on 19
June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
119. "Lionel Messi: Barcelona Forward Will Leave 'Unreachable' Record" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/foo
tball/30165949). BBC Sport. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
120. Jurejko, Jonathan (12 May 2015). "Bayern Mun 3–2 Barcelona" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/
32683310). BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
121. Borden, Sam (6 June 2015). "Barcelona Overwhelms Juventus to Win Fifth Champions League Title"
(https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/soccer/barcelona-defeats-juventus-in-champions-league-f
inal.html). The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
122. Lowe, Sid (6 June 2015). "Barcelona's Luis Suárez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus" (ht
tps://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/06/barcelona-luis-suarez-lionel-messi-juventus-champion
s-league-final). The Guardian. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
123. "Lionel Messi Says Free Kick Goals in UEFA Super Cup Were 'Lucky' " (http://www.espnfc.us/barcelon
a/story/2559713/lionel-messi-calls-free-kick-goals-in-uefa-super-cup-lucky). ESPN FC. 11 August
2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
124. Corrigan, Dermot (20 December 2015). "Lionel Messi: Club World Cup triumph proves Barcelona are
'best in the world' " (http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-club-world-cup/story/2765338/lionel-messi-club-world-cup
-shows-barcelona-are-world-best). ESPN FC. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
125. Corrigon, Dermot (12 January 2016). "Lionel Messi wins 2015 Ballon d'Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo,
Neymar" (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fifa/243/post/2784555/lionel-messi-wins-2015-ballon-dor-ahead-
of-ronaldo-neymar).
126. Bieler, Des (3 February 2016). "Lionel Messi's 500th goal shows off scintillating skill" (https://www.was
hingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/02/03/lionel-messis-500th-goal-shows-off-scintillating-skill/).
The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
127. Güell, Robert (23 May 2016). "Messi, Suárez and Neymar Jr end season with 131 goals" (http://www.fc
barcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/messi-suarez-and-neymar-jr-end-season-with-131-goal
s). FC Barcelona. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
128. Besa, Ramon (18 August 2016). "Messi levanta la Supercopa" (http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/20
16/08/18/actualidad/1471475075_599601.html) [Messi lifts the Supercup]. El País (in Spanish).
Retrieved 18 August 2016.
129. "Lionel Messi equals Ronald Koeman's Barcelona free-kick record" (http://www.espnfc.us/barcelona/st
ory/3036856/lionel-messi-equals-ronald-koemans-barcelona-free-kick-record). ESPN FC. 11 January
2017. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
130. "Messi receives fourth Golden Shoe Award: Each day I enjoy it more" (http://www.marca.com/en/footb
all/barcelona/2017/11/24/5a182794268e3ef82a8b4639.html). Marca. Spain. 24 November 2017.
Retrieved 24 November 2017.
131. Power, Patrick (2 August 2017). "The astonishing stats behind the best attacking trio in the world" (http
s://www.besoccer.com/new/the-astonishing-stats-behind-the-best-attacking-trio-in-the-world).
BeSoccer.com. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20241001173307/https://www.besoccer.com/ne
w/the-astonishing-stats-behind-the-best-attacking-trio-in-the-world) from the original on 1 October
2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
132. "Luis Enrique, nine titles in three seasons with FC Barcelona" (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/footbal
l/first-team/news/763876/luis-enrique-nine-titles-in-three-seasons-with-fc-barcelona).
FCBarcelona.com. 28 May 2017. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240828181835/https://www.
fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/763876/luis-enrique-nine-titles-in-three-seasons-with-fc-ba
rcelona) from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
133. "Lionel Messi signs new deal through 2020/21 season" (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-tea
m/news/2017-2018/video-lionel-messi-signs-new-contract-fc-barcelona). FC Barcelona. 25 November
2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
134. "Sevilla 0–5 Barcelona" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43845692). BBC Sport. 21 April 2018.
Retrieved 21 April 2018.
135. "Messi Wins Fifth Golden Shoe After Winning Pichichi Trophy" (https://www.goal.com/en/amp/news/me
ssi-set-for-fifth-golden-shoe-after-winning-pichichi/16zqsqe8e9tr3187k929hjiwpt). Goal. 20 May 2018.
Retrieved 20 May 2018.
136. "Lionel Messi will be Barcelona's next captain" (https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204356/https://w
ww.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/lionel-messi-will-be-barcelonas-next-captain-6781878). Sport. 25
April 2018. Archived from the original (https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/lionel-messi-will-b
e-barcelonas-next-captain-6781878) on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
137. Wilson, Joseph (27 April 2019). "Messi helps Barcelona clinch Spanish league title" (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20190427205444/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/messi-helps-barcelona-
clinch-spanish-league-title/2019/04/27/84f90fbe-692d-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.html). The
Washington Post. Archived from the original (https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/messi-h
elps-barcelona-clinch-spanish-league-title/2019/04/27/84f90fbe-692d-11e9-a698-2a8f808c9cfb_story.h
tml) on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
138. "The best individual season of all time? – A look at Lionel Messi's 2018/19 season" (https://www.overly
zer.com/en/football/the-best-individual-season-of-all-time-a-look-at-lionel-messis-2018-19-season/).
Overlyzer. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
139. Wilson, Joseph (19 May 2019). "Messi hits 50 goals for Barca, Madrid ends season to forget" (https://a
pnews.com/article/a3965b778e324f6c8882587d0e9f55fc). Associated Press. Archived (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20230206130647/https://apnews.com/article/a3965b778e324f6c8882587d0e9f55fc) from
the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
140. "Messi wins his sixth Golden Shoe award" (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/1225730/messi-wins
-his-sixth-golden-shoe-award). FC Barcelona. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
141. Magee, Will (2 December 2019). "Ballon d'Or: live updates from the ceremony as Lionel Messi and
Virgil van Dijk compete for top award" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegrap
h.co.uk/football/2019/12/02/ballon-dorlive-updates-ceremony-lionel-messi-virgil-van-dijk/). The
Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235 (https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0307-1235). Archived from the original (ht
tps://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/12/02/ballon-dorlive-updates-ceremony-lionel-messi-virgil-van-
dijk/) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
142. "Messi tells Barca he wants to leave, signaling end of era" (https://apnews.com/141fb4432a0421bc942
a7f87cfdeba6e). AP NEWS. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
143. "Messi breaks silence on Barcelona exit saga: 'The president did not keep his word' " (https://www.goa
l.com/en/news/messi-breaks-silence-barcelona-exit-saga-president-did-not/12u81b5iumt2d1tkqol18wp
cxg). Goal. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
144. "Leo Messi surpasses Xavi Hernández record" (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/new
s/2069179/leo-messi-equals-xavi-hernandez-record). FC Barcelona. 21 March 2021.
145. "Lionel Messi sets an utterly ridiculous record as he leads Barcelona to Copa Del Rey glory" (https://w
ww.caughtoffside.com/2021/04/17/lionel-messi-sets-an-utterly-ridiculous-record-as-he-leads-barcelona
-to-copa-del-rey-glory/amp/). Caught Offside. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
146. "Lionel Messi nets two, Barcelona beats Athletic Bilbao to win Copa del Rey" (https://www.tsn.ca/messi
-nets-2-barcelona-beats-bilbao-4-0-to-win-copa-del-rey-1.1625290). TSN. 17 April 2021. Retrieved
17 April 2021.
147. Nesci, Gianluca (19 July 2020). "Messi stands alone after winning Pichichi award for 7th time" (https://
www.thescore.com/esp_fed/news/1987681). The Score. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
148. "Messi: The Pichichi of Pichichis" (https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2021/05/22/60a971ad
268e3e2e128b45c3.html). Marca. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
149. Uría, Rubén (1 July 2021). "Messi officially becomes a free agent as superstar's Barcelona contract
expires" (https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/messi-free-agent-barcelona-contract-expires/6oic4yrrw62d
1mcffybvao1qi). Goal. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
150. "Lionel Messi: Barcelona forward agrees contract extension with 50 per cent pay cut" (https://www.sky
sports.com/football/news/11833/12355747/lionel-messi-barcelona-forward-agrees-contract-extension-
with-50-per-cent-pay-cut). Sky Sports. United Kingdom. 14 July 2021. Archived (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20210714155615/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12355747/lionel-messi-barcel
ona-forward-agrees-contract-extension-with-50-per-cent-pay-cut) from the original on 14 July 2021.
Retrieved 14 July 2021.
151. "Leo Messi not staying at FC Barcelona" (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/220
7655/leo-messi-not-staying-at-fc-barcelona). www.fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
152. Thomas, Lyall; Solhekol, Kaveh (8 August 2021). "Lionel Messi 'shocked' and 'surprised' at Barcelona
contract collapse" (https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12374082/lionel-messi-shocked-an
d-surprised-at-barcelona-contract-collapse). Sky Sports. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202108
06122748/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/12374082/lionel-messi-shocked-and-surpris
ed-at-barcelona-contract-collapse) from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
153. "Lionel Messi Says Goodbye To FC Barelona At Tearful Press Conference" (https://www.forbes.com/sit
es/tomsanderson/2021/08/08/lionel-messi-says-goodbye-to-fc-barelona-at-tearful-press-conference/).
Forbes. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
154. "Lionel Messi signs two-year Paris St-Germain deal after leaving Barcelona" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sp
ort/football/58163106). BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
155. "Leo Messi signs for Paris Saint-Germain" (https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/content/cp-lionel-messi-ps
g-paris-saint-germain-mercato). PSG. 10 August 2021.
156. "Lionel Messi shirt number revealed by PSG" (https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/lionel-mess
i-psg-shirt-number-transfer-b1900397.html). The Independent. Archived (https://ghostarchive.org/archi
ve/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/lionel-messi-psg-shirt-number-transfer-b190
0397.html) from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
157. "Messi's PSG debut breaks Spain viewing records" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/paris-saint-germain-
-frapsg/story/4465426/lionel-messis-psg-debut-becomes-most-watched-french-football-match-in-spai
n). ESPN. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
158. "Lionel Messi Makes First PSG Start But Club Brugge Hold On For A Draw" (https://sports.ndtv.com/fo
otball/lionel-messi-makes-first-psg-start-but-club-brugge-hold-on-for-a-draw-2542485).
NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
159. "Icardi strikes late to give PSG win over Lyon on Messi's home debut" (https://www.reuters.com/lifestyl
e/sports/icardi-strikes-late-give-psg-win-over-lyon-messis-home-debut-2021-09-19/). Reuters. 19
September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
160. Morse, Ben (29 September 2021). "Lionel Messi scores first PSG goal in Champions League win over
Manchester City" (https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/football/lionel-messi-first-psg-goal-ucl-spt-intl/inde
x.html). CNN. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
161. "Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi wins award as best player in world football for seventh time" (https://www.bb
c.co.uk/sport/football/59454640). BBC. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
162. "Worst season in Lionel Messi's career! How did the Argentine perform in the 2021–22 season for
PSG?" (https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/lionel-messi-psg-performance-2021-22-season/bltcd4c10b61
7272ed1). www.goal.com. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
163. "A final, lots of goals and a trophy: a great start to the season!" (https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/conte
nt/a-final-lots-of-goals-and-a-trophy-a-great-start-to-the-season-match-report-paris-saint-germain-troph
ee-des-champions-psg-nantes). Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
164. Hayward, Ben (9 April 2023). "Lionel Messi overtakes Cristiano Ronaldo for goals scored in Europe
with latest PSG strike" (https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/lionel-messi-overtakes-cristiano-ronaldo-for-
goals-scored-in-europe-with-latest-psg-strike). FourFourTwo. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
165. "Lionel Messi edges Cristiano Ronaldo once again, Argentinian is now the all-time club goal leader in
Europe" (https://www.marca.com/en/football/psg/2023/04/09/6431efddca4741e5078b459a.html).
Marca. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
166. "Ligue 1 Uber Eats Team of the Season" (https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/News/2023/05/29/the-ligue-1
-team-of-the-season-in-full). Ligue1 COM. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
167. Summerscales, Robert (3 June 2023). "Lionel Messi Ends Ligue 1 Season With More Assists Than
Any Other Player" (https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/lionel-messi-ends-ligue-1-season-t
op-of-assists-rankings). Futbol on FanNation. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
168. Ronald, Issy (28 May 2023). "Lionel Messi breaks Cristiano Ronaldo record as PSG wins historic
Ligue 1 title" (https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/28/football/lionel-messi-record-psg-ligue-1-title-spt-intl/inde
x.html). CNN. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
169. "Lionel Messi: PSG manager Christophe Galtier confirms forward's departure" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/
sport/football/65776489). BBC Sport. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
170. "Inter Miami CF Signs Seven-Time Ballon d'Or Winner, World Cup Champion, Lionel Messi | Inter
Miami CF" (https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/inter-miami-cf-signs-seven-time-ballon-d-or-winner-wor
ld-cup-champion-lionel-mes). Inter Miami CF. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
171. Sigal, Jonathan (15 July 2023). "Official! Lionel Messi signs with Inter Miami" (https://www.mlssoccer.c
om/news/official-lionel-messi-signs-with-inter-miami). Major League Soccer. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
172. Dominski, Michael (21 July 2023). "Lionel Messi's Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul live updates: Messi free-
kick goal wins Leagues Cup match" (https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/lionel-messi-live-updates-inter-m
iami-cruz-azul-score-result/WcbiLWQR3Otx/). The Athletic. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
173. Deen, Safid. "Inter Miami vs. Nashville live updates: Messi wins Leagues Cup after penalty shootout"
(https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2023/08/19/messi-inter-miami-vs-nashville-leagues-cup
-final-live-highlights/70618499007/). usatoday.com. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
174. Blum, Ronald (26 August 2023). "Messi scores dazzling goal in MLS debut, leads Miami over New
York Red Bulls" (https://apnews.com/article/messi-inter-miami-red-bulls-e378ec6fc90a02632eac8f45bd
b25a6b). Associated Press. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
175. Lewis, Aimee (22 October 2023). "Lionel Messi's final game of the season for Inter Miami ends in
defeat" (https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/22/sport/lionel-messi-inter-miami-charlotte-mls-spt-intl/index.h
tml). CNN. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
176. "Men's Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi wins eighth award, beating Erling Haaland to trophy" (https://www.bb
c.com/sport/football/67232561). BBC Sport. BBC. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
177. Summerscales, Robert (5 December 2023). "Lionel Messi Becomes First Men's Soccer Player To Be
Named TIME Athlete Of The Year" (https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/lionel-messi-name
d-time-athlete-of-the-year-for-2023). Sport Illustrated. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
178. "SIX goal contributions! Lionel Messi sets two more MLS records vs. RBNY" (https://www.mlssoccer.co
m/news/six-goal-contributions-lionel-messi-sets-two-more-mls-records-in-matchday-12). Major League
Soccer. 4 May 2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240505022513/https://www.mlssoccer.c
om/news/six-goal-contributions-lionel-messi-sets-two-more-mls-records-in-matchday-12) from the
original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
179. "Lionel Messi, Inter Miami win MLS Supporters Shield with 3-2 win at Crew. It's Messi's 46th trophy" (ht
tps://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-mls-miami-columbus-0fcdbeab716cb05dcf99a76dc235dccc).
Associated Press. 2 October 2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20241010053349/https://apn
ews.com/article/lionel-messi-mls-miami-columbus-0fcdbeab716cb05dcf99a76dc235dccc) from the
original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
180. Reynolds, Tim (19 October 2024). "Messi and Inter Miami finish with best record in MLS history, roll
past New England 6-2" (https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-a8d2c6c8ae5df490cc
615b2ae527434d). Associated Press. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
181. Becherano, Lizzy (19 October 2024). "Lionel Messi hat trick helps Inter Miami break MLS points
record" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41856092/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-single-season-
points-record-hat-trick). ESPN. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
182. Deen, Safid (9 November 2024). "Messi, Inter Miami see record-setting season end in stunning playoff
collapse: Highlights" (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2024/11/09/inter-miami-vs-atlanta-
where-to-watch-messi-playing-score-live-updates/76156845007/). USA TODAY. Archived (https://web.
archive.org/web/20241110042504/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2024/11/09/inter-mia
mi-vs-atlanta-where-to-watch-messi-playing-score-live-updates/76156845007/) from the original on 10
November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
183. "Inter Miami star Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP" (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article
-inter-miami-star-lionel-messi-wins-mls-mvp-award/). The Globe and Mail. 6 December 2024.
Retrieved 6 December 2024.
184. Himmelman, Jeff (5 June 2014). "The Burden of Being Messi" (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/m
agazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html). The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
185. Balagué 2013, pp. 209–219.
186. "Messi passes Ali Daei" (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-20
24-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeNQ1qaCPjJZ/). The Athletic. 10 July
2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240710125438/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-bl
ogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-2024-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeN
Q1qaCPjJZ/) from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
187. Saaid, Hamdan (12 September 2008). "Games of the XXIX. Olympiad" (https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/o
l2008f-det.html). Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240
806071542/https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol2008f-det.html) from the original on 6 August 2024.
Retrieved 6 August 2024.
188. "Magic Messi Sparks High Drama in the Lowlands" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150906082949/htt
p://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-
501784.html). FIFA. July 2005. Archived from the original (https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2
007/m=3/news=magic-messi-sparks-high-drama-the-lowlands-501784.html) on 6 September 2015.
Retrieved 12 August 2015.
189. Vickery, Tim (22 August 2005). "Messi Handles 'New Maradona' Tag" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/f
ootball/world_football/4172400.stm). BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
190. "Messi Is a Jewel Says Argentina Coach" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/345383/messi-is-a-jewel-says-
argentina-coach). ESPN FC. 10 October 2005. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
191. Mamrud, Roberto. "Lionel Andrés Messi – Century of International Appearances" (https://www.rsssf.or
g/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html). Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20230123172840/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html) from the original on
23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
192. "Argentina 6–0 Serbia & Montenegro" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/48530
28.stm). BBC Sport. 16 June 2006. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150922121433/http://new
s.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853028.stm) from the original on 22 September 2015.
Retrieved 12 August 2015.
193. "Missing Some Stars, Brazil Wins Copa América" (https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/sports/soccer/
16soccer.html). The New York Times. 16 July 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
194. "Report and Statistics: Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments Beijing 2008" (https://web.a
rchive.org/web/20081206162134/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/
67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf) (PDF). FIFA. p. 21. Archived from the original (https://www.fifa.com/mm/d
ocument/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/94/37/67/internetreportoly08v2.pdf) (PDF) on 6 December 2008.
Retrieved 12 August 2015.
195. Chadband, Ian (28 April 2009). "Lionel Messi Can Achieve More at Barcelona than Diego Maradona"
(https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/5
231676/Lionel-Messi-can-achieve-more-at-Barcelona-than-Diego-Maradona.html). The Daily
Telegraph. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/523167
6/Lionel-Messi-can-achieve-more-at-Barcelona-than-Diego-Maradona.html) on 10 January 2022.
Retrieved 13 August 2015.
196. Smith, Rory (22 June 2010). "Greece 0 Argentina 2: Match Report" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20
220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/news/7842201/Greece-0-Argentina-2-mat
ch-report.html). The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foot
ball/world-cup/news/7842201/Greece-0-Argentina-2-match-report.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved
13 August 2015.
197. "Adidas Golden Ball Nominees Announced" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150411063638/http://www.
fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=7/news=adidas-golden-ball-nominees-announced-1270753.html).
FIFA. 9 July 2010. Archived from the original (https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2010/m=7/news=
adidas-golden-ball-nominees-announced-1270753.html) on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
198. Balagué 2013, pp. 414–420.
199. Cox, Michael (13 November 2014). "Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina
Role" (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lione
l-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role). ESPN FC. Retrieved 13 August
2015.
200. Balagué 2013, pp. 595–602.
201. Hughes, Rob (10 July 2014). "If Messi Is Argentina's Star, Then Mascherano Is the Glue" (https://www.
nytimes.com/2014/07/11/sports/soccer/if-messi-is-argentinas-star-then-mascherano-is-the-glue.html).
The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
202. Murray, Scott (13 July 2014). "World Cup Final 2014: Germany v Argentina – as It Happened" (https://
www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/world-cup-final-2014-germany-v-argentina-live-report). The
Guardian. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
203. Bate, Adam (16 July 2014). "World Cup Final: Was Lionel Messi Really a Disappointment in Brazil or
Have We Just Become Numb to His Genius?" (http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15241/938151
1/world-cup-final-was-lionel-messi-really-a-disappointment-in-brazil-or-have-we-just-become-numb-to-
his-genius). Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
204. Garcia, Adriana (7 July 2015). "Argentina's Lionel Messi Grateful for Support after Copa América
Defeat" (http://www.espnfc.com/copa-america/story/2514749/lionel-messi-grateful-for-support-after-co
pa-america-defeat). ESPN FC. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
205. "Lionel Messi equals Argentina's all-time goal-scoring record" (http://www.espnfc.com/argentina/story/2
897489/lionel-messi-equals-argentinas-gabriel-batistuta-all-time-goal-scoring-record). ESPN FC. 22
June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
206. "Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile" (http://www.espnfc.com/cop
a-america/story/2902891/lionel-messi-flags-potential-argentina-retirement-after-penalty-loss-to-chile).
ESPN FC. 27 June 2016.
207. "HTML Center" (https://web.archive.org/web/20200610095909/http://estadisticas.conmebol.com/html/v
3/index.html?channel=deportes.futbol.copaamerica.statsCenterPerPlayer&lang=es_LA).
estadisticas.conmebol.com. Archived from the original (http://estadisticas.conmebol.com/html/v3/index.
html?channel=deportes.futbol.copaamerica.statsCenterPerPlayer&lang=es_LA) on 10 June 2020.
Retrieved 8 April 2020.
208. "Messi 'God's gift' to Argentina – president" (https://web.archive.org/web/20200923184002/https://en.a
s.com/en/2016/06/28/football/1467141271_384638.html). AS. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original
(http://en.as.com/en/2016/06/28/football/1467141271_384638.html) on 23 September 2020. Retrieved
28 June 2016.
209. "Lionel Messi hat-trick secures Argentina's passage to World Cup" (https://www.theguardian.com/footb
all/2017/oct/11/lionel-messi-hat-trick-secures-argentinas-passage-to-world-cup). The Guardian. 11
October 2017.
210. Begley, Emlyn (30 June 2018). "France 4–3 Argentina" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/43976
007). BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
211. Vickery, Tim (6 July 2019). "Messi's red card overshadows Argentina's encouraging win and Chile's
end of an era" (https://www.espn.co.uk/football/copa-america/0/blog/post/3894006/messis-red-card-ov
ershadows-argentinas-encouraging-win-and-chiles-end-of-an-era). ESPN. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
212. Das, Andrew (11 July 2021). "Messi and Argentina Beat Brazil to Win the Copa América" (https://www.
nytimes.com/2021/07/10/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-argentina-brazil-copa-america.html). The New
York Times. ISSN 0362-4331 (https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 11 July 2021.
213. Marsden, Sam (28 June 2021). "Messi sets Argentina appearances mark in Copa America match vs.
Bolivia" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina-arg/story/4422176/messi-sets-argentina-appearances
-mark-in-copa-america-match-vs-bolivia). ESPN. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
214. UEFA.com (1 June 2022). "Argentina's Lionel Messi named official Finalissima Player of the Match" (ht
tps://www.uefa.com/finalissima/news/0276-1549531afce1-16d40688390d-1000--player-of-the-match-
messi/). UEFA.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
215. Nemer, Roy (19 December 2022). "Lionel Messi scores record 18 goals in 2022 with the Argentina
national team". Mundo Albiceleste. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
216. "World Cup final: Lionel Messi named best player as Kylian Mbappe wins Golden Boot" (https://www.b
bc.co.uk/sport/football/64019023). BBC Sport. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
217. Anand, Anish (19 December 2022). "2022 World Cup stats: Messi joins Maradona, overtakes Ronaldo;
Mbappe's record 4" (https://www.espn.in/football/blog-espn-fc-united/story/4834907/2022-world-cup-fin
al-stats-messi-mbappe-argentina-france). ESPN. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
218. "Lionel Messi makes history with 100th goal for Argentina" (https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/li
onel-messi-makes-history-with-100th-goal-for-argentina). FOX Sports. 28 March 2023. Retrieved
30 March 2023.
219. "Lionel Messi becomes Conmebol WC qualifiers all-time leading scorer" (https://www.marca.com/en/fo
otball/2023/10/18/652f5288268e3e8b258b45ad.html). MARCA. 18 October 2023. Archived (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20241001173308/https://www.marca.com/en/football/2023/10/18/652f5288268e3e8
b258b45ad.html) from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
220. "Messi breaks another record at CONMEBOL Copa América™" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/
article/2024/jun/20/lionel-messi-pulls-strings-as-argentina-tame-canada-in-copa-america-opener).
CONMEBOL Copa América™. 20 June 2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240621022347/
https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jun/20/lionel-messi-pulls-strings-as-argentina-tame-c
anada-in-copa-america-opener) from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
221. "Messi passes Ali Daei" (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-20
24-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeNQ1qaCPjJZ/). The Athletic. 10 July
2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240710125438/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-bl
ogs/argentina-canada-live-updates-2024-copa-america-lionel-messi-score-result/yRrle4paHuhm/BeN
Q1qaCPjJZ/) from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
222. Thames, Alanis (14 July 2024). "Argentina wins record 16th Copa America title, beats Colombia 1-0
after Messi gets hurt" (https://apnews.com/article/copa-america-argentina-colombia-score-messi-6753
475603a48683a3c4971e451e8263). Associated Press. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
223. Schnibben, Cordt (6 June 2012). "The Golden Yell: Ronaldo and Messi Battle to Define a Football Era"
(http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ronaldo-and-messi-compete-to-define-a-football-era-a-83701
9.html). Der Spiegel. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20120608132820/http://www.spiegel.de/int
ernational/world/ronaldo-and-messi-compete-to-define-a-football-era-a-837019.html) from the original
on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
224. Ritter, Karl (12 July 2014). "Five Reasons Why Messi Stands out in Soccer World" (https://www.boston
globe.com/sports/2014/07/12/reasons-why-messi-stands-out-football-world/mreF1boxmpDQcq7ZWenj
qJ/story.html). Boston Globe. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150925101639/https://www.bost
onglobe.com/sports/2014/07/12/reasons-why-messi-stands-out-football-world/mreF1boxmpDQcq7ZW
enjqJ/story.html) from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
225. "Messi, goals for 2010" (http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20091206/messi-goles-para-2010_53837938
612.html). Mundo Deportivo (Spanish). 7 December 2009. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2020
0206141454/https://www.mundodeportivo.com/20091206/messi-goles-para-2010_53837938612.html)
from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
226. "Lionel Messi becomes the 'Atomic Flea' " (http://www.goal.com/es/news/4284/el-fotomontaje-del-d%C
3%ADa/2012/09/20/3390051/lionel-messi-se-convierte-en-la-pulga-at%C3%B3mica). Goal. 20
September 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200914231953/https://www.goal.com/es/ne
ws/4284/el-fotomontaje-del-d%C3%ADa/2012/09/20/3390051/lionel-messi-se-convierte-en-la-pulga-a
t%C3%B3mica) from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
227. "Messi, The Atomic Flea who became the best in the world" (http://as.com/m/videos/2016/01/28/colom
bia/1453936234_817270.html). AS (Spanish). 28 January 2016. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/
20160303162849/http://as.com/m/videos/2016/01/28/colombia/1453936234_817270.html) from the
original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
228. Garside, Kevin (29 March 2010). "Arsenal v Barcelona: Lionel Messi Making Case for World's Greatest
Ever Player" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/com
petitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for-worlds-great
est-ever-player.html). The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/spo
rt/football/competitions/champions-league/7532805/Arsenal-v-Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-making-case-for
-worlds-greatest-ever-player.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
229. Brown, Lucas (30 September 2005). "Lionel Messi – the New Maradona?" (http://www.uefa.com/news/
newsid=347644.html). UEFA. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20171001075035/http://www.uefa.
com/news/newsid=347644.html) from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
230. Reng, Ronald (27 May 2011). "Lionel Messi" (https://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-0
0144feabdc0.html). FT Magazine. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630163752/http://www.f
t.com/cms/s/2/cfa0d296-8672-11e0-9d5c-00144feabdc0.html) from the original on 30 June 2015.
Retrieved 19 July 2015.
231. Balagué 2013, p. 553.
232. Monti, Fabio (8 April 2010). "Controllo, Corsa, Tocco di Palla: Perché nel Calcio Piccolo è Bello" (http://
archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/aprile/08/Controllo_corsa_tocco_palla_Perche_co_9_100408088.shtml)
[Control, Stroke and Touch on the Ball: Because in Football Small Is Beautiful]. Corriere della Sera (in
Italian). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20110221031158/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/a
prile/08/Controllo_corsa_tocco_palla_Perche_co_9_100408088.shtml) from the original on 21
February 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
233. "Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever" (https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-
ever). The Sportster. 4 July 2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20201129193935/https://ww
w.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever/) from the original on 29 November 2020.
Retrieved 22 September 2020.
234. "Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, goals, records, highlights, Juventus, hat trick, statistics, best stats,
age, break down" (https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-goals-highlights
-juventus-hat-trick-statistics-age-break-down/news-story/705ff21fcd63e4e372bb62d9f7c3e00a). Fox
Sports. 7 January 2020. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210326162010/https://www.foxsport
s.com.au/football/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-goals-highlights-juventus-hat-trick-statistics-age-break-
down/news-story/705ff21fcd63e4e372bb62d9f7c3e00a) from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved
10 August 2020.
235. "As Lionel Messi turns 32, a fan ruminates on the ambivalent legacy of the football wizard" (https://ww
w.telegraphindia.com/sports/as-lionel-messi-turns-32-a-fan-ruminates-on-the-ambivalent-legacy-of-the-
football-wizard/cid/1693021). Telegraph India. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210706113701/
https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/as-lionel-messi-turns-32-a-fan-ruminates-on-the-ambivalent-leg
acy-of-the-football-wizard/cid/1693021) from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
236. "Lionel Messi steals the show for Barcelona at Dundee United" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220
110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2462724/Lionel-Messi-steals-the-show-for-Ba
rcelona-at-Dundee-United.html). The Daily Telegraph. 27 July 2008. ISSN 0307-1235 (https://search.w
orldcat.org/issn/0307-1235). Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/euro
pean/2462724/Lionel-Messi-steals-the-show-for-Barcelona-at-Dundee-United.html) on 10 January
2022. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
237. Tomas, Francesc (25 June 2015). "Six Reasons Why Lionel Messi Is the World's Best" (http://www.esp
nfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2504382/six-reasons-why-lionel-messi-is-worlds-best). ESPN FC.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034318/http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blo
g/post/2504382/six-reasons-why-lionel-messi-is-worlds-best) from the original on 24 September 2015.
Retrieved 17 August 2015.
238. "Most goals via free-kicks in football history" (https://www.sportsadda.com/football/news/most-free-kick
-goals-football-history-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo). Sports Adda. 7 August 2023. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20230803221831/https://www.sportsadda.com/football/news/most-free-kick-goals-f
ootball-history-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo) from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August
2023.
239. Copeland, Robbie (4 July 2021). "Lionel Messi becomes top free-kick scorer among active players" (htt
ps://www.90min.com/posts/lionel-messi-top-free-kick-scorer-active-players-cristiano-ronaldo-copa-ame
rica). 90min.com. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210803183459/https://www.90min.com/post
s/lionel-messi-top-free-kick-scorer-active-players-cristiano-ronaldo-copa-america) from the original on
3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
240. del Río, Joel (22 February 2017). "The art of the chip: Falcao matches Totti, Messi and Raul" (http://ww
w.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/02/22/58adac0ae5fdea9b038b45d2.html). Marca.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20221102044650/https://www.marca.com/en/football/internation
al-football/2017/02/22/58adac0ae5fdea9b038b45d2.html) from the original on 2 November 2022.
Retrieved 11 April 2017.
241. Cohen, Roger (21 June 2010). "The Loose Vuvuzela" (https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22
iht-edcohen.html). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200412150925/http
s://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22iht-edcohen.html) from the original on 12 April 2020.
Retrieved 12 April 2020.
242. Davis, Scott (6 June 2015). "Here's what makes Lionel Messi so impossible to defend" (http://www.bus
inessinsider.com/lionel-messi-dribbling-2015-6). Business Insider. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20151024100544/http://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-dribbling-2015-6) from the original on
24 October 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
243. Ronay, Barney (7 May 2015). "Lionel Messi: the genius who operates to a different set of physical
rules" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/07/lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munic
h). The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20151211015917/http://www.theguardian.co
m/football/blog/2015/may/07/lionel-messi-barcelona-bayern-munich) from the original on 11 December
2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
244. "Top 25 Greatest Playmakers Ever" (https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-
ever/). the Sportster. 4 July 2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20221102044651/https://www.
thesportster.com/soccer/top-25-greatest-playmakers-ever/) from the original on 2 November 2022.
Retrieved 22 September 2020.
245. Haugstad, Thore (28 July 2017). "FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.2, Lionel Messi"
(https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no2-lionel-messi).
FourFourTwo. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20201109021805/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/fe
atures/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no2-lionel-messi) from the original on 9 November
2020. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
246. Rangarajan, Aditya (6 December 2018). "Lionel Messi misses out on World's best Playmaker 2018
title, finishes second to Real Madrid star" (https://web.archive.org/web/20181208211629/https://www.fo
xsportsasia.com/football/la-liga/992349/lionel-messi-misses-out-worlds-best-playmaker-2018-second-r
eal-madrid-star/). Fox Sports Asia. Archived from the original (https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/la
-liga/992349/lionel-messi-misses-out-worlds-best-playmaker-2018-second-real-madrid-star/) on 8
December 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
247. Hayward, Ben (23 October 2012). "How Messi went from injury-prone teenager to bionic man" (https://
web.archive.org/web/20190707062037/https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/10/23/3468
661/how-messi-went-from-injury-prone-teenager-to-bionic-man/). Goal. Footballco. Archived from the
original (https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/10/23/3468661/how-messi-went-from-injur
y-prone-teenager-to-bionic-man) on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
248. Balagué 2013, pp. 155–156, 405–406.
249. West, Andy (19 March 2015). "Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy
Treble" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31956028). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20150919015618/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31956028) from the original on 19
September 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
250. Tweedale, Alistair (21 May 2016). "How Luis Suarez moved Lionel Messi onto Barcelona's wing and
became the best centre-forward on the planet" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.
telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/21/how-luis-suarez-moved-lionel-messi-onto-barcelona-wing-to-beco
me/). The Telegraph. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/21/how-l
uis-suarez-moved-lionel-messi-onto-barcelona-wing-to-become/) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved
30 June 2018.
251. Martin, Richard (19 April 2015). "In focus: Messi's changing role" (http://www.uefa.com/memberassocia
tions/association=esp/news/newsid=2236364.html). UEFA. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2016
0418233636/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=esp/news/newsid=2236364.html)
from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
252. Balagué, Guillem; Wright, Nick; Smith, Adam (30 October 2017). "Barcelona's improvement under
Ernesto Valverde examined" (http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/11105832/barcelona8217
s-improvement-under-ernesto-valverde-examined). Sky Sports. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/
20180630213931/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/11105832/barcelona8217s-improvem
ent-under-ernesto-valverde-examined) from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
253. Siregar, Cady (7 March 2018). "Barcelona top-scorer Lionel Messi explains how has role has
developed under Valverde" (http://www.squawka.com/en/news/barcelona-top-scorer-lionel-messi-expla
ins-how-has-role-has-developed-under-valverde/1019375#bEStu6B25LqTkjvv.97). Squawka. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20180715155510/http://www.squawka.com/en/news/barcelona-top-scorer
-lionel-messi-explains-how-has-role-has-developed-under-valverde/1019375#bEStu6B25LqTkjvv.97)
from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
254. Butt, Muhammad (12 August 2018). "Dembele is going nowhere: Five things learned from Barcelona's
Super Cup win v Sevilla" (http://www.squawka.com/en/news/dembele-is-going-nowhere-five-things-lea
rned-from-barcelonas-super-cup-win-v-sevilla/1053044). Squawka. Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20180813114311/http://www.squawka.com/en/news/dembele-is-going-nowhere-five-things-learned
-from-barcelonas-super-cup-win-v-sevilla/1053044) from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved
13 August 2018.
255. "Valverde returns Messi to the False 9 role" (http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/08/21/5
99a9d8de5fdeae2358b457b.html). Marca. 21 August 2017. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
80814001634/http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/08/21/599a9d8de5fdeae2358b457b.h
tml) from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
256. Sanz, Sergi (11 November 2017). "Valverde recycles Messi" (http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcel
ona/2017/09/11/59b650a3e2704e62408b4611.html). Marca. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20
180813210327/http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/09/11/59b650a3e2704e62408b461
1.html) from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
257. Chandler, Michael J. (6 January 2018). "3 ways Barcelona could line up with Coutinho" (https://www.th
escore.com/news/1461884). The Score. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210706113716/http
s://www.thescore.com/news/1461884) from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
258. Clarke, Tom (19 February 2018). "Dissected: How the new Barcelona play – and why there's hope for
Chelsea" (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dissected-how-the-new-barca-play-and-where-theres-hop
e-for-chelsea-rpwl0wbn5). The Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180630185857/https://
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dissected-how-the-new-barca-play-and-where-theres-hope-for-chelsea-rpw
l0wbn5) from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
259. Cox, Michael (13 November 2014). "Lionel Messi Showing Some Promising Signs in a New Argentina
Role" (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argentina-national-team-lione
l-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role). ESPN FC. Archived (https://web.archi
ve.org/web/20150924013602/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/2144957/argent
ina-national-team-lionel-messi-showing-some-promising-signs-in-a-new-argentina-role) from the
original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
260. Mazur, Martin (18 June 2016). "Argentina's great tactical dilemma: where should Lionel Messi play?"
(https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/18/argentina-copa-america-lionel-messi-tactics). The
Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180704213019/https://www.theguardian.com/footb
all/2016/jun/18/argentina-copa-america-lionel-messi-tactics) from the original on 4 July 2018.
Retrieved 4 July 2018.
261. Various sources:
Macdonald, Paul. "A future without Messi and Ronaldo" (http://www.goal.com/story/messi-ronaldo-t
he-future/index.html). Goal. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20201029200613/https://www.go
al.com/story/messi-ronaldo-the-future/index.html) from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved
8 June 2018.
Staunton, Peter. "Messi and Ronaldo: Changing the face of football" (http://www.goal.com/story/me
ssi-ronaldo-changing-face-of-football/index.html). Goal. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2019
0804214954/http://www.goal.com/story/messi-ronaldo-changing-face-of-football/index.html) from
the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
Haugstad, Thore (11 January 2016). "Whoever wins the Ballon d'Or, the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly is
coming to an end" (https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/whoever-wins-the-ballon-d-or-the-messi-ro
naldo-duopoly-is-coming-to-an-end_sto5054730/story.shtml). Eurosport. Archived (https://web.archi
ve.org/web/20210120014411/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/whoever-wins-the-ballon-d-or-th
e-messi-ronaldo-duopoly-is-coming-to-an-end_sto5054730/story.shtml) from the original on 20
January 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
262. Various sources:
Robson, James (18 December 2022). "Messi wins World Cup to push claim to be soccer's GOAT"
(https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-wins-world-cup-final-is-he-the-goat-0bf74af4ef88ea1e6b3e
adce375ebb4a). Associated Press. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240703140046/https://
apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-wins-world-cup-final-is-he-the-goat-0bf74af4ef88ea1e6b3eadce37
5ebb4a) from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
Lane, Barnaby (18 December 2022). "Lionel Messi cements status as soccer GOAT as Argentina
wins thrilling World Cup final" (https://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-cements-status-as-go
at-argentina-win-world-cup-2022-12). Business Insider. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2024
0224021804/https://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-cements-status-as-goat-argentina-win-
world-cup-2022-12) from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
McIntyre, Doug (18 December 2022). "Lionel Messi Cements His Goat Status With A Little Help
From His Friends" (https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lionel-messi-cements-his-goat-status-
with-a-little-help-from-his-friends). Fox Sports. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230404023
500/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lionel-messi-cements-his-goat-status-with-a-little-hel
p-from-his-friends) from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
263. "Messi: I'm Not the Best" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924214113/http://www.fifa.com/world-mat
ch-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html). FIFA. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original (https://ww
w.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/529/475/index.html) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved
21 July 2015.
264. Ball, Phil (23 February 2006). "Britain v Spain (Sort Of)" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/359600). ESPN
FC. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135558/http://www.espnfc.com/story/359600)
from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
265. Minshull, Phil (30 March 2010). "Is Messi the Greatest Ever?" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philminshul
l/2010/03/is_messi_the_greatest_ever.html). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202011
09025354/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philminshull/2010/03/is_messi_the_greatest_ever.html) from
the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
266. "Messi Es el Mejor Jugador que Veré Jamás" (http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2009/08/29/futb
ol/1251499664.html) [Messi Is the Best Player I Have Ever Seen]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 29 August
2009. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190322125856/https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeport
e/2009/08/29/futbol/1251499664.html) from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
267. "Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona and Argentina Star the Greatest Player Ever?" (https://ghostarchive.or
g/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/8545361/Lionel-Me
ssi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html). The Daily Telegraph. 29 May
2011. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/85453
61/Lionel-Messi-is-the-Barcelona-and-Argentina-star-the-greatest-player-ever.html) on 10 January
2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
268. "Magical Messi Grabs Hat-trick in Copa America as Argentina Romp into Quarters" (https://ghostarchiv
e.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-trick
-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/). The Daily Telegraph. Agence France-Presse. 11 June 2016.
Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/11/magical-messi-grabs-hat-tri
ck-in-copa-america-as-argentina-romp/) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
269. Jenson, Pete (30 May 2015). "Lionel Messi: Is the Barcelona Forward the Greatest of Them All?" (http
s://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest-
of-them-all-10287066.html). The Independent. Archived (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/htt
ps://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/lionel-messi-is-the-barcelona-forward-the-greatest
-of-them-all-10287066.html) from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
270. Tilghman, John (4 November 2010). "Maradona vs. Messi: A Laughable Comparison" (https://bleacherr
eport.com/articles/508097-maradona-vs-messi-a-laughable-comparison?search_query=John%20Tilgh
man). Bleacher Report. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190501160742/https://bleacherreport.
com/articles/508097-maradona-vs-messi-a-laughable-comparison%3Fsearch_query%3DJohn%2520T
ilghman) from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
271. Cairns, Dan (8 January 2013). "How Does Lionel Messi Stack up against Football Legends?" (https://w
ww.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/20943498/how-does-lionel-messi-stack-up-against-football-legends).
BBC Newsbeat. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20201111212413/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbe
at/article/20943498/how-does-lionel-messi-stack-up-against-football-legends) from the original on 11
November 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
272. Lea, Greg (22 June 2016). "Why the Messi vs Maradona debate is flawed (And always will be)" (http
s://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-messi-vs-maradona-debate-flawed-and-always-will-be).
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20241001173300/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-me
ssi-vs-maradona-debate-flawed-and-always-will-be) from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved
1 October 2024.
273. "Barcelona's Lionel Messi Blames Media for Inventing Rivalry with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo" (h
ttps://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9478241/Barcelon
as-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo.html). The
Daily Telegraph. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/
9478241/Barcelonas-Lionel-Messi-blames-media-for-inventing-rivalry-with-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ron
aldo.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
274. Snowball, Ben (11 June 2015). "Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not My Rival" (http://www.eurospor
t.co.uk/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-is-not-my-rival_sto4779011/story.shtml). Eurosport. TNT
Sports International. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924004853/http://www.eurosport.co.
uk/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-is-not-my-rival_sto4779011/story.shtml) from the original on
24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
275. West, Andy (22 March 2014). "Real Madrid v Barcelona: Has Ronaldo Overtaken Messi?" (https://ww
w.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26651301). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2015082404
5031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26651301) from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved
10 August 2015.
276. Various sources:
Hunter, Graham (28 November 2010). "The game's best rivalry" (https://www.espn.com/sports/socc
er/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-messi). ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20141006150207/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5842703/el-clasico-all-ronaldo-vs-
messi) from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
"Messi v Ronaldo" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105413/http://www.skysports.com/news/
21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo). Sky Sports. Sky Group. 17 October 2011. Archived from the
original (http://www.skysports.com/news/21227/7235124/messi-v-ronaldo) on 6 October 2014.
"The Special Two" (http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/leaders/article3637725.ece). The Times.
21 December 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150626225332/http://www.thetimes.c
o.uk/tto/opinion/leaders/article3637725.ece) from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved
13 October 2014.
277. Mendes, Chris (24 June 2014). "World Cup 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo's Personal Duel with Lionel Messi
Is Affecting His Performances for Portugal" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.tele
graph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/10923614/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-per
sonal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances-for-Portugal.html). The Daily Telegraph.
Archived from the original (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/109236
14/World-Cup-2014-Cristiano-Ronaldos-personal-duel-with-Lionel-Messi-is-affecting-his-performances
-for-Portugal.html) on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
278. Smith, Ben (20 April 2012). "Barcelona's Messi v Real Madrid's Ronaldo" (https://web.archive.org/web/
20120905081616/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17786045). BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the
original (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17786045) on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 13 October
2014.
279. Rice, Simon (10 April 2013). "Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo – world's greatest players locked in
new battle" (https://web.archive.org/web/20141028195727/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/
european/lionel-messi-v-cristiano-ronaldo--worlds-greatest-players-locked-in-new-battle-8567328.htm
l). The Independent. Archived from the original (https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/europea
n/lionel-messi-v-cristiano-ronaldo--worlds-greatest-players-locked-in-new-battle-8567328.html) on 28
October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
280. Various sources:
Hughes, Rob (13 September 2011). "Ronaldo May Look Like the Best, but There Is Someone
Better" (https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html?pagewanted=all&
_r=1). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165502/http://www.ny
times.com/2011/09/14/sports/soccer/14iht-soccer14.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1) from the original
on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
Pinto, Pedro; Montague, James (29 May 2012). "Cristiano Ronaldo: I'm Better than Messi" (http://e
dition.cnn.com/2012/05/17/sport/football/football-champions-league-ronaldo-interview/). CNN.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125456/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/17/sport/fo
otball/football-champions-league-ronaldo-interview/) from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved
17 August 2015.
Lewis, Tim (24 November 2013). "Cristiano Ronaldo: He's Got a God-Given Talent – and He
Knows It" (https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/nov/24/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-por
tugal-football). The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20141006163656/http://www.t
heguardian.com/theobserver/2013/nov/24/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-portugal-football) from the
original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
281. "Ballons d'Or winners list" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foot
ball/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/). The Telegraph. 2 April 2017. Archived from the original (http
s://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/07/ballon-dor-winners-list/) on 10 January 2022.
282. Arotaritei, Sorin; Di Maggio, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Golden Boot (Soulier d'Or) Awards" (http
s://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html). RSSSF. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230601
072653/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/gboot.html) from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved
17 August 2015.
283. Badenhausen, Kurt (16 May 2014). "Lionel Messi Reaches $50 Million-A-Year Deal With Barcelona" (h
ttps://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/05/16/lionel-messi-agrees-to-new-50-million-a-yea
r-deal-with-barcelona/). Forbes. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091338/http://www.for
bes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2014/05/16/lionel-messi-agrees-to-new-50-million-a-year-deal-with-ba
rcelona/) from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
284. Rutledge, Lewis (29 April 2008). "Scholes seals final spot" (https://web.archive.org/web/201410060837
10/http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/102148/report). Sky Sports. Archived from the
original (http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/102148/report) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved
30 September 2014.
285. Lowe, Sid (17 January 2023). "Messi and Ronaldo's most memorable clashes: From the Champions
League to El Clasico" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37583118/messi-ronaldos-most-memor
able-clashes-champions-league-el-clasico). ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2023102817
3107/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37583118/messi-ronaldos-most-memorable-clashes-cha
mpions-league-el-clasico) from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
286. Taylor, Daniel; Jackson, Jamie (11 June 2009). "Manchester United accept £80m Cristiano Ronaldo
bid from Real Madrid" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/11/cristiano-ronaldo-manchester
-united-real-madrid1). The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20181123043733/https://w
ww.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/11/cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-real-madrid1) from the
original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
287. "Ronaldo brace, McKennie volley power Juventus past Messi's Barcelona" (https://www.espn.com/soc
cer/report/_/gameId/585770). ESPN. 8 December 2020. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202303
02191214/https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/585770) from the original on 2 March 2023.
Retrieved 2 March 2023.
288. "Messi: I miss having Ronaldo in La Liga" (https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/soccer/news/messi-i-miss
-having-ronaldo-in-la-liga/16zbvevnd45i1e9rq6b7gom0r). The Sporting News. Sporting News
Holdings. 29 March 2019. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240625174440/https://www.sportin
gnews.com/ca/soccer/news/messi-i-miss-having-ronaldo-in-la-liga/16zbvevnd45i1e9rq6b7gom0r) from
the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
289. Sharland, Pete (18 December 2022). "World Cup 2022 Final: Win Or Lose, Argentina Star Lionel
Messi Has Settled The Goat Debate Forever" (https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/worl
d-cup-2022-final-win-or-lose-argentina-star-lionel-messi-has-settled-the-goat-debate-forever_sto92754
87/story.shtml). Eurosport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20221222185828/https://www.eurosp
ort.com/football/world-cup/2022/world-cup-2022-final-win-or-lose-argentina-star-lionel-messi-has-settle
d-the-goat-debate-forever_sto9275487/story.shtml) from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved
19 January 2023.
290. Usry, Rob (18 December 2022). "Lionel Messi puts the GOAT debate to rest with storybook World Cup
win" (https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2022/12/18/23515312/lionel-messi-world-cup-who-is-soccer-fo
otball-goat-argentina). SBNation.com. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20221221220741/https://
www.sbnation.com/soccer/2022/12/18/23515312/lionel-messi-world-cup-who-is-soccer-football-goat-ar
gentina) from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
291. "Maradona Hails Messi as Successor" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4746070.stm).
BBC Sport. 24 February 2006. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20181001190650/http://news.bb
c.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4746070.stm) from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved
17 August 2015.
292. Longman, Jeré (12 July 2014). "Adept? Yes. Adored? Not Yet" (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/s
ports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-in-argentina-lionel-messi-is-not-loved-as-much-as-diego-maradona.ht
ml). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20140715030203/https://www.nytime
s.com/2014/07/13/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-in-argentina-lionel-messi-is-not-loved-as-much-as-
diego-maradona.html) from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
293. Murray, Andrew (26 September 2017). "FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.1, Diego
Maradona" (https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135411/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfo
urtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no1-diego-maradona). FourFourTwo. Archived from the original
(https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-greatest-footballers-ever-no1-diego-maradon
a) on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
294. "Maradona proclaims Messi as his successor" (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-02/25/c
ontent_523966.htm). China Daily. Reuters. 25 February 2006. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2
0190407203458/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-02/25/content_523966.htm) from the
original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2012. " "I have seen the player who will inherit my
place in Argentine football and his name is Messi," Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning captain was
quoted as saying on Friday."
295. Lisi 2011, pp. 533–539.
296. "Goal hero Messi spares a thought for Maradona" (https://archive.today/20130124150451/http://soccer
net.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423095&cc=3888). ESPN. Reuters. 19 April 2007. Archived from the
original (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=423095&cc=3888) on 24 January 2013.
Retrieved 28 December 2012. "Barcelona-based daily Sport said 'Messi Superstar' on its front page
while the Marca led with 'Messidona.' "
297. Himmelman, Jeff (5 June 2014). "The Burden of Being Messi" (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/m
agazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/
20150403064416/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/magazine/the-burden-of-being-messi.html) from
the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
298. Mora y Araujo, Marcela (23 December 2009). "Lionel Messi Is Not the New Maradona – He Can Be
Better than That" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/dec/23/lionel-messi-diego-maradon
a-argentina-barcelona). The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210119233541/https://
www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/dec/23/lionel-messi-diego-maradona-argentina-barcelona)
from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
299. West, Andy (22 November 2018). "Lionel Messi: Is Barcelona forward really cut out for captaincy?" (htt
ps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46279184). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190
526082244/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46279184) from the original on 26 May 2019.
Retrieved 1 May 2019.
300. "Diego Maradona: Lionel Messi lacks the leadership needed to carry a team" (http://www.espn.com/so
ccer/argentina/story/2889220/diego-maradona-says-lionel-messi-lacks-leadership-to-carry-a-team?src
=com). ESPN FC. 9 June 2016. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190501160742/http://www.es
pn.com/soccer/argentina/story/2889220/diego-maradona-says-lionel-messi-lacks-leadership-to-carry-a
-team%3Fsrc%3Dcom) from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
301. "Tim Vickery: Lionel Messi can now be recognised alongside Diego Maradona by Argentinians" (http
s://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12771189/tim-vickery-lionel-messi-can-now-be-reco
gnised-alongside-diego-maradona-by-argentinians). Sky Sports. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20221219124557/https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12771189/tim-vickery-lionel
-messi-can-now-be-recognised-alongside-diego-maradona-by-argentinians) from the original on 19
December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
302. "Lionel Messi Vomits Because of Nerves, Says Argentina's Alejandro Sabella" (https://www.theguardia
n.com/football/2014/jun/10/lionel-messi-vomits-argentina-alejandro-sabella-world-cup). The Guardian.
10 June 2014. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210125222532/https://www.theguardian.com/f
ootball/2014/jun/10/lionel-messi-vomits-argentina-alejandro-sabella-world-cup) from the original on 25
January 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
303. Various sources:
"Messi concludes his most influential year for Argentina" (https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcel
ona/2019/11/19/5dd40e8546163fb5478b45ec.html). Marca. 19 November 2019. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20241001171253/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/19/5d
d40e8546163fb5478b45ec.html) from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 28 September
2024.
Vickery, Tim (3 July 2019). "Argentina exit the Copa America early but they've won something
better: Messi is fired up again" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37509915/messi-engagem
ent). ESPN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20241001171252/https://www.espn.com/soccer/
story/_/id/37509915/messi-engagement) from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved
28 September 2024.
"The New Messi: A protester and a leader" (https://www.latimes.com/espanol/noticas-mas/articulo/
2019-07-07/efe-4017829-15585528-20190707). LA Times. 7 July 2019. Archived (https://web.archi
ve.org/web/20241001172637/https://www.latimes.com/espanol/noticas-mas/articulo/2019-07-07/ef
e-4017829-15585528-20190707) from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
304. Horncastle, James (19 July 2023). "Messi vs Argentina: How the 'Catalan Argentine' escaped the
shadow of Maradona" (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4647037/2023/07/20/lionel-messi-argentina-m
aradona-legacy-world-cup/). The New York Times. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2024061916
5415/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4647037/2023/07/20/lionel-messi-argentina-maradona-legacy-
world-cup/) from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
305. Morse, Ben (18 December 2022). "Lionel Messi cements his legacy as the greatest with World Cup
win" (https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/18/football/lionel-messi-argentina-legacy-world-cup-final-spt-intl/ind
ex.html). CNN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20241001171247/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/
18/football/lionel-messi-argentina-legacy-world-cup-final-spt-intl/index.html) from the original on 1
October 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
306. "Messi on World Cup win: After struggles in Argentina, fans love me" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/sto
ry/_/id/39008596/messi-world-cup-win-struggles-argentina-fans-love-me). ESPN. 1 December 2023.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240718184721/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39008
596/messi-world-cup-win-struggles-argentina-fans-love-me) from the original on 18 July 2024.
Retrieved 7 October 2024.
307. Henry, Thierry (21 April 2011). "The 2011 Time 100: Lionel Messi, God of the Field" (https://content.tim
e.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066498,00.html). Time. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20190417164323/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/
0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066498,00.html) from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 22 August
2015.
308. Hamm, Mia (18 April 2012). "The World's 100 Most Influential People 2012: Lionel Messi" (https://conte
nt.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112092,00.html). Time.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210202010654/http://content.time.com/time/specials/package
s/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112092,00.html) from the original on 2 February 2021.
Retrieved 22 August 2015.
309. Federer, Roger (13 April 2023). "The 100 Most Influential People of 2023: Lionel Messi" (https://time.co
m/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6269893/lionel-messi/). Time. Archived (https://web.arch
ive.org/web/20230422015245/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6269893/lio
nel-messi/) from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
310. Borg, Chris (2 December 2014). "Ballon D'Or: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo – Battle of the
Brands" (http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/01/sport/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-barcelona-real-
madrid-ballon-dor-marketing-merchandise-facebook/). CNN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20
160129232450/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/01/sport/football/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-barcelon
a-real-madrid-ballon-dor-marketing-merchandise-facebook/) from the original on 29 January 2016.
Retrieved 22 August 2015.
311. "Top 10 Most Marketable Footballers in the World" (http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Mos
t-Marketable-Football-Players.pdf) (PDF) (Press release). Repucom. 28 May 2014. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20140630024625/http://repucom.net/wp-content/uploads/Top-10-Most-Marketable-
Football-Players.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
312. "World Cup final photo of Lionel Messi eyeing trophy wins prize" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-
name/story/2295953/headline). ESPN. 12 February 2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2021
0811182214/https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2295953/headline) from the original on
11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
313. "Gibson: Messi is a tourist attraction" (https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/1237740
2/gibson-messi-is-a-tourist-attraction). Sky Sports. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2021081012
2423/https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12377402/gibson-messi-is-a-tourist-attract
ion) from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
314. "Messi Joins Facebook, Nets 7 m Followers" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/903705/lionel-messi-joins-f
acebook-nets-7m-followers). ESPN. 6 April 2011. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140
146/http://www.espnfc.com/story/903705/lionel-messi-joins-facebook-nets-7m-followers) from the
original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
315. Giuliano, Karissa (9 June 2015). "The 10 Most Popular Celebrities on Facebook" (https://www.cnbc.co
m/2015/06/09/the-10-most-popular-celebrities-on-facebook.html). CNBC. Archived (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20200803071710/https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/09/the-10-most-popular-celebrities-on-fac
ebook.html) from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
316. "Lionel Messi Sets Instagram Record With World Cup Victory Post" (https://web.archive.org/web/2022
1220145226/https://sports.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-sets-instagram-record-200520111.html). Yahoo
Sports. Archived from the original (https://sports.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-sets-instagram-record-20052
0111.html) on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
317. Madhok, Diksha (21 December 2022). "Lionel Messi's World Cup photos are most-liked Instagram
post ever" (https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/business/messi-most-liked-instagram-post-intl-hnk/index.
html). CNN. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240715083718/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/
business/messi-most-liked-instagram-post-intl-hnk/index.html) from the original on 15 July 2024.
Retrieved 23 December 2022.
318. Garcia, Adriana (21 March 2023). "Lionel Messi mobbed after adoring Argentina fans lay siege outside
Buenos Aires restaurant" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37637346/lionel-messi-mobbed-ado
ring-argentina-fans-lay-siege-buenos-aires-restaurant). ESPN. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
319. PTI (1 May 2023). "Kerala's iconic Thrissur Pooram held in full grandeur featuring Lionel Messi during
'Kudamattam" (https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/iconic-thrissur-pooram-held-in-full-grandeur-me
ssi-featured-during-kudamattam/article66799414.ece). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X (https://search.wo
rldcat.org/issn/0971-751X). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230503092256/https://www.thehin
du.com/sport/football/iconic-thrissur-pooram-held-in-full-grandeur-messi-featured-during-kudamattam/a
rticle66799414.ece) from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
320. "Lionel Messi steals the show at Kerala's Iconic Thrissur Pooram" (https://www.timesnownews.com/sp
orts/football/lionel-messi-steals-the-show-at-keralas-iconic-thrissur-pooram-article-99922391).
TimesNow. 2 May 2023. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230503161127/https://www.timesno
wnews.com/sports/football/lionel-messi-steals-the-show-at-keralas-iconic-thrissur-pooram-article-9992
2391) from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
321. Roush, Ty (14 December 2023). "Lionel Messi's World Cup Jerseys Sell For $7.8 Million At Auction —
Falling Short Of Two Most Valuable Jerseys Of All Time" (https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/202
3/12/14/lionel-messis-world-cup-jerseys-sell-for-78-million-at-auction---falling-short-of-two-most-valuabl
e-jerseys-of-all-time/). Forbes. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
322. 鄭惟仁 (5 February 2024). "梅西香港友誼賽全程坐板凳 球迷噓聲高喊退票" (https://news.pts.org.tw/arti
cle/679778). 公視新聞網. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240205055928/https://news.pts.org.
tw/article/679778) from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
323. "美斯遭央視連環封殺 《天下足球》片頭及天氣預報廣告畫面被刪" (https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B
3%E6%99%82%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/991017/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%81%AD%E
5%A4%AE%E8%A6%96%E9%80%A3%E7%92%B0%E5%B0%81%E6%AE%BA-%E5%A4%A9%E
4%B8%8B%E8%B6%B3%E7%90%83-%E7%89%87%E9%A0%AD%E5%8F%8A%E5%A4%A9%E
6%B0%A3%E9%A0%90%E5%A0%B1%E5%BB%A3%E5%91%8A%E7%95%AB%E9%9D%A2%E
8%A2%AB%E5%88%AA?utm_source=web_push&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=all) [CCTV's
sports programme removes Messi's scenes]. HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 15 February 2024.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240215130206/https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%9
9%82%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B/991017/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%81%AD%E5%A4%A
E%E8%A6%96%E9%80%A3%E7%92%B0%E5%B0%81%E6%AE%BA-%E5%A4%A9%E4%B8%8
B%E8%B6%B3%E7%90%83-%E7%89%87%E9%A0%AD%E5%8F%8A%E5%A4%A9%E6%B0%A
3%E9%A0%90%E5%A0%B1%E5%BB%A3%E5%91%8A%E7%95%AB%E9%9D%A2%E8%A2%A
B%E5%88%AA) from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
324. 許祺安 (10 February 2024). "美斯得罪了中國？2023年訪華旋風到今官媒狠批 14億市場凍過水？" (http
s://www.hk01.com/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E8%A7%80%E5%AF%9F/989951/%E7%BE%8E%
E6%96%AF%E5%BE%97%E7%BD%AA%E4%BA%86%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B-2023%E5%B9%
B4%E8%A8%AA%E8%8F%AF%E6%97%8B%E9%A2%A8%E5%88%B0%E4%BB%8A%E5%AE%9
8%E5%AA%92%E7%8B%A0%E6%89%B9-14%E5%84%84%E5%B8%82%E5%A0%B4%E5%87%8
D%E9%81%8E%E6%B0%B4) [Messi no longer welcomed in China?]. HK01 (in Chinese (Hong
Kong)). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240214153151/https://www.hk01.com/%E4%B8%A
D%E5%9C%8B%E8%A7%80%E5%AF%9F/989951/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E5%BE%97%E
7%BD%AA%E4%BA%86%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B-2023%E5%B9%B4%E8%A8%AA%E8%8F%A
F%E6%97%8B%E9%A2%A8%E5%88%B0%E4%BB%8A%E5%AE%98%E5%AA%92%E7%8B%A
0%E6%89%B9-14%E5%84%84%E5%B8%82%E5%A0%B4%E5%87%8D%E9%81%8E%E6%B0%B
4) from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
325. "美斯風波︱內地掀抵制潮 官媒籲冷靜弄清楚合同細節" (https://www.stheadline.com/realtime-china/331
5776/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%A2%A8%E6%B3%A2%E5%85%A7%E5%9C%B0%E6%8
E%80%E6%8A%B5%E5%88%B6%E6%BD%AE-%E5%AE%98%E5%AA%92%E7%B1%B2%E5%8
6%B7%E9%9D%9C%E5%BC%84%E6%B8%85%E6%A5%9A%E5%90%88%E5%90%8C%E7%B
4%B0%E7%AF%80) [Boycott Messi on Chinese trend; state-run media urge for calm]. Sing Tao Daily
(in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 9 February 2024. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240214153103/h
ttps://www.stheadline.com/realtime-china/3315776/%E7%BE%8E%E6%96%AF%E9%A2%A8%E6%B
3%A2%E5%85%A7%E5%9C%B0%E6%8E%80%E6%8A%B5%E5%88%B6%E6%BD%AE-%E5%A
E%98%E5%AA%92%E7%B1%B2%E5%86%B7%E9%9D%9C%E5%BC%84%E6%B8%85%E6%A
5%9A%E5%90%88%E5%90%8C%E7%B4%B0%E7%AF%80) from the original on 14 February 2024.
Retrieved 14 February 2024.
326. "當初高調找梅西代言…大陸這家快遞公司慘掃颱風尾 遭陸網遷怒抵制" (https://udn.com/news/story/733
2/7765880) [Chinese company boycotted over Messi ad]. UDN (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20240214153235/https://udn.com/news/story/7332/7765880) from the original
on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
327. "中国足协停止与阿根廷足协合作，梅西3月中国行面临泡汤" (https://sports.ycwb.com/2024-02/08/conte
nt_52493682.htm). 羊城晚报. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240305010202/https://sports.yc
wb.com/2024-02/08/content_52493682.htm) from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved
14 November 2024.
328. Notarianni, Roberto (25 March 2015). "Messi, la (Très) Bonne Paie" (http://www.francefootball.fr/news/
Messi-la-tres-bonne-paie/545838) [Messi, the (Very) Good Payroll]. France Football. Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20201025022721/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Messi-la-tres-bonne-paie/54
5838) from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
329. Rainbow, Jamie (18 March 2014). "Stat of the Day: Top 20 Best Paid Players and Coaches" (http://ww
w.worldsoccer.com/news/stat-day-top-20-best-paid-players-coaches-350260). World Soccer. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20210202210754/https://www.worldsoccer.com/news/stat-day-top-20-bes
t-paid-players-coaches-350260) from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
330. Reynolds, Ben (8 June 2016). "Cristiano Ronaldo first footballer to top Forbes rich list of highest-
earning athletes" (http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10307782/cristiano-ronaldo-first-footb
aller-to-top-forbes-rich-list-of-highest-earning-athletes). Sky Sports. Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20160610125422/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10307782/cristiano-ronaldo-first-fo
otballer-to-top-forbes-rich-list-of-highest-earning-athletes) from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved
9 June 2016.
331. " "Lionel Messi devance largement Cristiano Ronaldo au classement des joueurs les mieux payés au
monde" " (https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Lionel-messi-devance-largement-cristiano-ronaldo-au-cla
ssement-des-joueurs-les-mieux-payes-au-monde/895372). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2020
1120075640/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Lionel-messi-devance-largement-cristiano-ronaldo-au-
classement-des-joueurs-les-mieux-payes-au-monde/895372) from the original on 20 November 2020.
Retrieved 3 June 2018.
332. "Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo to head Forbes top 100 highest paid athletes" (https://www.
bbc.co.uk/sport/48602166). BBC Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20201108013901/http
s://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/48602166) from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
333. Balagué 2013, p. 472.
334. Heydari, Keyvan Antonio (26 May 2009). "Messi: Amazing Talent in a Reluctant Star" (http://goal.blogs.
nytimes.com/2009/05/26/messi-amazing-talent-in-a-reluctant-star/?_r=0). The New York Times.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043122/https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/me
ssi-amazing-talent-in-a-reluctant-star/?_r=0) from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 24 July
2015.
335. " "Lionel Messi Signs New Barcelona Contract, Set To Become World's Highest-Paid Footballer" " (http
s://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2017/11/25/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract-set-to-
become-worlds-highest-paid-footballer/). Forbes. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202101311444
25/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2017/11/25/lionel-messi-signs-new-barcelona-contract
-set-to-become-worlds-highest-paid-footballer/) from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved
17 December 2017.
336. "World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players: Messi Wins, Mbappe Rises" (https://www.forbes.com/sites/chris
tinasettimi/2020/09/14/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players-2020-messi-wins-mbappe-rises/#7601f0
671cff). Forbes. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200927010615/https://www.forbes.com/sites/
christinasettimi/2020/09/14/the-worlds-highest-paid-soccer-players-2020-messi-wins-mbappe-rises/#7
601f0671cff) from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
337. "Lionel Messi's Argentina jerseys are sold out worldwide" (https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/19/busines
s/adidas-leo-messi-jerseys/index.html). CNN. 19 December 2022. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20240715083816/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/19/business/adidas-leo-messi-jerseys/index.html)
from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
338. Long, Michael (20 May 2015). "The World's 50 Most Marketable 2015" (https://web.archive.org/web/20
160610032555/http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable). SportsPro. Archived from the
original (http://www.sportspromedia.com/most_marketable) on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 22 August
2015.
339. Caioli 2012, pp. 94–97.
340. "Retrospect: Adidas F50 Messi Collection" (http://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/20
15/03/retrospect-adidas-f50-messi-collection/). Soccer Bible. 18 March 2015. Archived (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20201016202850/https://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2015/03/retro
spect-adidas-f50-messi-collection/) from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 11 December
2015.
341. "Backed by Messi" (https://web.archive.org/web/20151222143641/http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-N
ews/Backed-by-Messi/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353) (Press release). Adidas. 25
September 2015. Archived from the original (http://news.adidas.com/GB/Latest-News/Backed-by-Mess
i/s/1aafb738-30fe-4810-a7e4-6b808c0e6353) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
342. "adidas Football Launches Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility" (https://www.soccerbible.com/performance/footba
ll-boots/2017/05/adidas-football-launches-nemeziz/). Soccer Bible. Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20210116044234/https://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2017/05/adidas-football-
launches-nemeziz/) from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
343. "Leo Messi's Barcelona Shirt Is the Most Sold Worldwide, Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd" (https://bleacherrepo
rt.com/articles/2609501-leo-messis-barcelona-shirt-is-the-most-sold-worldwide-cristiano-ronaldo-2nd).
Bleacher Report. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190606142534/https://bleacherreport.com/a
rticles/2609501-leo-messis-barcelona-shirt-is-the-most-sold-worldwide-cristiano-ronaldo-2nd) from the
original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
344. Matchett, Karl (25 April 2017). "The Story Behind Lionel Messi's 5 Most Iconic Barcelona Celebrations"
(http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2705366-the-story-behind-lionel-messis-5-most-iconic-barcelona-cel
ebrations). Bleacher Report. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210208120724/https://bleacherr
eport.com/articles/2705366-the-story-behind-lionel-messis-5-most-iconic-barcelona-celebrations) from
the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
345. "The World's Fourth Most Marketable Athlete – Lionel Messi" (https://web.archive.org/web/2016051714
2514/http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-
_lionel_messi). SportsPro. 27 May 2011. Archived from the original (http://www.sportspromedia.com/n
otes_and_insights/the_worlds_4th_most_marketable_athlete_-_lionel_messi) on 17 May 2016.
Retrieved 22 August 2015.
346. Badenhausen, Kurt (10 January 2011). "Lionel Messi Voted Soccer's Best, But Sponsors Stay Away"
(https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/10/lionel-messi-voted-soccers-best-but-spons
ors-stay-away/). Forbes. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210130015401/https://www.forbes.c
om/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/01/10/lionel-messi-voted-soccers-best-but-sponsors-stay-away/) from
the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
347. "Lionel Messi and Dolce & Gabbana: An Assist in Style" (https://web.archive.org/web/2017082700224
8/http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-gabba
na-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf) (PDF) (Press release). Dolce & Gabbana. Archived from the
original (http://www.dolcegabbana.com/binaries/content/assets/DG/leo-messi/press-release/dolce-and-
gabbana-leo-messi-press-release-eng.pdf) (PDF) on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
348. Millerchip, Oliver (3 February 2014). "Messi to Front New Gillette Campaign" (http://www.sportspromed
ia.com/news/messi_to_front_new_gillette_campaign). SportsPro. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20210210072634/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_to_front_new_gillette_campaign)
from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
349. "Argentine Soccer Star Leo Messi Named Global Brand Ambassador for Turkish Airlines" (https://web.
archive.org/web/20150924172433/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-201
2+BW20121206). Reuters (Press release). 6 December 2012. Archived from the original (https://www.r
euters.com/article/2012/12/06/idUS192613+06-Dec-2012+BW20121206) on 24 September 2015.
Retrieved 22 August 2015.
350. McPherson, Ian (28 February 2013). "Messi Cashes in with Qatari Contract" (http://www.sportspromedi
a.com/news/messi_cashes_in_with_qatari_contract). SportsPro. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20150924120222/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/messi_cashes_in_with_qatari_contract)
from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
351. "Lionel Messi Is Global Brand Ambassador for Tata Motors" (https://web.archive.org/web/20151015131
146/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/the-best-sports-photo-of-the-year-goes-to---lionel
-messi-and--the-final-game--183718601.html). Firstpost. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original
(http://www.firstpost.com/business/tata-motors-ropes-in-lionel-messi-as-global-brand-ambassador-249
2172.htmlv) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
352. Guinness World Records 2014, p. 102.
353. "Lionel Messi to Star on Cover of EA Sports FIFA for Fourth Straight Year" (https://www.si.com/extra-m
ustard/2015/06/15/lionel-messi-fifa-16-cover). Sports Illustrated. 15 June 2015. Archived (https://web.a
rchive.org/web/20201230051843/https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/06/15/lionel-messi-fifa-16-cov
er) from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
354. Krasselt, Kaitlyn (21 June 2014). "Cannes to Cannes: YouTube's Most Viewed Ads" (https://www.usato
day.com/story/money/business/2014/06/21/cannes-youtube-top-ads/10891397/). USA Today. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20210129201018/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/
06/21/cannes-youtube-top-ads/10891397/) from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 22 August
2015.
355. Lorenzetti, Laura (3 June 2015). "YouTube Users Say This Is the 'Ad of the Decade' " (https://time.com/
3908087/youtube-ad-of-the-decade/). Time. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150720195139/ht
tp://time.com/3908087/youtube-ad-of-the-decade/) from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved
22 August 2015.
356. "Hard Rock International Begins Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration By Announcing Partnership
With Lionel Messi" (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-rock-international-begins-year-lo
ng-50th-anniversary-celebration-by-announcing-partnership-with-lionel-messi-301310207.html)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230521113021/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/h
ard-rock-international-begins-year-long-50th-anniversary-celebration-by-announcing-partnership-with-li
onel-messi-301310207.html) 21 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine. PR Newswire. Retrieved 11 June
2021
357. Zidan, Karim (12 May 2022). "Lionel Messi earned $122m last year. He still felt the need to take Saudi
money" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/12/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-deal-tourism).
The Guardian. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220512143419/https://www.theguardian.com/f
ootball/2022/may/12/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-deal-tourism) from the original on 12 May 2022.
Retrieved 12 May 2022.
358. Farukh, Rimal (20 June 2022). "Messi Is Accused of Being the Face of a Blood-Soaked Regime" (http
s://www.vice.com/en/article/xgy8dk/lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-tourism-ambassador-sportswashing).
VICE. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220620130330/https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgy8dk/
lionel-messi-saudi-arabia-tourism-ambassador-sportswashing) from the original on 20 June 2022.
Retrieved 20 June 2022.
359. "Leo Messi: Goodwill Ambassador" (http://www.unicef.org/people/people_52964.html). UNICEF. 25
May 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002825/http://www.unicef.org/people/peopl
e_52964.html) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
360. Rogers, Iain; Palmer, Justin (12 November 2013). "Barcelona Extend UNICEF Shirt Deal to 2016" (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20151124194912/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-soccer-spain-
barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112). Reuters. Archived from the original (https://www.reuter
s.com/article/us-soccer-spain-barcelona-unicef-idUSBRE9AB0NZ20131112) on 24 November 2015.
Retrieved 25 August 2015.
361. "Leo Messi Activity Highlights" (https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144838/https://www.unicef.org/p
eople/people_52965.html). UNICEF. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original (http://www.unicef.org/pe
ople/people_52965.html) on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
362. "Leo Messi's Son Turns One and Celebrates with UNICEF" (https://web.archive.org/web/20140810091
152/https://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html) (Press release). UNICEF. 28 October 2013.
Archived from the original (http://www.unicef.org/media/media_70751.html) on 10 August 2014.
Retrieved 30 July 2021.
363. "Lionel Messi Fast Facts" (http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/08/world/europe/lionel-messi-fast-facts/).
CNN. 25 June 2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210109181514/https://edition.cnn.com/2
014/07/08/world/europe/lionel-messi-fast-facts/) from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved
25 August 2015.
364. Balagué 2013, pp. 576–577.
365. "Ooredoo, Messi Foundation Continue Expansion: Three New Mobile Health Clinics Launched in
Algeria" (http://www.arabtimesonline.com/ooredoo-messi-foundation-continue-expansion/). Arab
Times. 3 August 2015. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150923174559/http://www.arabtimeso
nline.com/ooredoo-messi-foundation-continue-expansion/) from the original on 23 September 2015.
Retrieved 25 August 2015.
366. " 'Lionel Messi and Friends' Soccer Tour Is One of Many Causes Argentine Superstar Supports" (http://
nesn.com/2012/06/lionel-messi-and-friends-soccer-tour-is-one-of-many-causes-argentine-superstar-su
pports/). New England Sports Network. 22 June 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2021011
1100702/https://nesn.com/2012/06/lionel-messi-and-friends-soccer-tour-is-one-of-many-causes-argent
ine-superstar-supports/) from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
367. "Partners" (https://web.archive.org/web/20180318214259/http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestros-
partners/). Leo Messi Foundation. Archived from the original (http://www.fundacionleomessi.org/nuestr
os-partners/) on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
368. "Messi's Left Foot – Yours for $5.25 Million" (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/sport/football/football-le
o-messi-golden-foot/). CNN. 6 March 2013. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180915085802/ht
tps://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/sport/football/football-leo-messi-golden-foot/) from the original on 15
September 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
369. "Argentina's Lionel Messi wins libel case, donates damages to charity" (http://www.espnfc.com/spanish
-primera-division/story/2887818/argentinas-lionel-messi-wins-libel-case-and-donates-damages-to-char
ity). ESPN. 7 June 2016. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20160818095407/http://www.espnfc.co
m/spanish-primera-division/story/2887818/argentinas-lionel-messi-wins-libel-case-and-donates-damag
es-to-charity) from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
370. "Messi, Guardiola donate $1.08 million each to coronavirus battle" (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-
health-coronavirus-soccer-spain/messi-guardiola-donate-1-08-million-each-to-coronavirus-battle-idUS
KBN21B3HV). Reuters. 25 March 2020. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210107173426/http
s://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-soccer-spain/messi-guardiola-donate-1-08-million-e
ach-to-coronavirus-battle-idUSKBN21B3HV) from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 25 March
2020.
371. Grez, Matias. "Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi donate to hospitals in fight against coronavirus" (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20200408025857/https://www.wfsb.com/cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-d
onate-to-hospitals-in-fight-against-coronavirus/article_1c669479-5ee2-5bb5-8ebd-77b9af3f36e2.html).
WFSB. Archived from the original (https://www.wfsb.com/cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-donate-to-
hospitals-in-fight-against-coronavirus/article_1c669479-5ee2-5bb5-8ebd-77b9af3f36e2.html) on 8 April
2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
372. Settimi, Christina. "Lionel Messi's Coronavirus Wage Cut Could Cost Him $50 Million" (https://www.for
bes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/03/30/lionel-messis-coronavirus-wage-cut-could-cost-him-50-millio
n/). Forbes. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200620003356/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chris
tinasettimi/2020/03/30/lionel-messis-coronavirus-wage-cut-could-cost-him-50-million/) from the original
on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
373. "Argentina federation to have affairs managed by emergency FIFA panel" (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/
fifa/243/post/2901179/argentina-federation-to-have-affairs-managed-by-emergency-fifa-panel). ESPN.
24 June 2016. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20161119121357/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/fif
a/243/post/2901179/argentina-federation-to-have-affairs-managed-by-emergency-fifa-panel) from the
original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
374. "Messi paid the salaries of Argentina's security team" (http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/201
6/11/18/582f53b822601d46758b4610.html). Marca. Spain. 18 November 2016. Archived (https://web.a
rchive.org/web/20210109153942/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2016/11/18/582f53b82
2601d46758b4610.html) from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
375. Sport (12 February 2021). "Adidas and Messi donate boots to Art Museum to be auctioned in April" (htt
ps://www.sport.es/en/news/barca/adidas-and-messi-donate-boots-to-art-museum-to-be-auctioned-in-a
pril-11514617). Sport. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210212114929/https://www.sport.es/e
n/news/barca/adidas-and-messi-donate-boots-to-art-museum-to-be-auctioned-in-april-11514617) from
the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
376. Uki, Goni (14 April 2021). "Lionel Messi helps obtain 50,000 Covid vaccines for South American
players" (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/14/lionel-messi-helps-obtain-50000-covid-vac
cines-for-south-american-players). The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
377. "President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom" (https://bidenwhitehous
e.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/04/president-biden-announces-recipients-of
-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom-3/). The White House. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
378. Deen, Safid (4 January 2025). "Lionel Messi unable to attend Presidential Medal of Freedom
ceremony. Here's why" (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2025/01/04/heres-why-messi-di
d-not-attend-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony/77457448007/). USA Today. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20250106132734/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2025/01/04/heres-
why-messi-did-not-attend-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony/77457448007/) from the original
on 6 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
379. "The massive Messi mural and other artworks around the world" (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-lati
n-america-36666955). BBC. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
380. Cardenas, Felipe (14 February 2024). "Meeting Messi: How the Argentine superstar changed the lives
of a restaurateur, barber and muralist" (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5274668/2024/02/14/lionel-m
essi-inter-miami-local-profiles/). The Athletic. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
381. "Argentina tiene una réplica futbolera de la Capilla Sixtina" (http://www.voydeviaje.com.ar/argentina/ar
gentina-tiene-una-replica-futbolera-de-la-capilla-sixtina). Voy de Viaje. Córdoba, Argentina. 3 May
2018. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
382. "Lionel Messi's Madame Tussauds Waxwork Unveiled At Wembley" (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/
2012/09/19/lionel-messis-madame-tussauds-waxwork-unveiled_n_1896126.html). Huffington Post.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230712184457/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/19/li
onel-messis-madame-tussauds-waxwork-unveiled_n_1896126.html) from the original on 12 July 2023.
Retrieved 12 July 2023.
383. "Messi statue unveiled in Argentina amid pleas for his return" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/59654
046). BBC. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
384. "Messi statue to stand next to Maradona, Pele at CONMEBOL museum" (https://www.reuters.com/lifes
tyle/sports/messi-statue-stand-next-maradona-pele-conmebol-museum-2023-03-28/). Reuters. 31
March 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
385. Barker, Andrew (27 August 2014). "Venice Film Review: 'Messi' " (https://variety.com/2014/film/festival
s/venice-film-review-messi-1201292498/). Variety. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20201214204
931/https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/venice-film-review-messi-1201292498/) from the original on
14 December 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
386. "Apple TV+ scores with documentary series featuring legendary football champion Lionel Messi and
his FIFA World Cup career, culminating in his dramatic Qatar 2022 win" (https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/n
ews/2023/06/apple-tv-scores-with-documentary-series-featuring-legendary-football-champion-lionel-m
essi-and-his-fifa-world-cup-career-culminating-in-his-dramatic-qatar-2022-win/). Apple.com. 6 June
2023. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240221185342/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2023/
06/apple-tv-scores-with-documentary-series-featuring-legendary-football-champion-lionel-messi-and-hi
s-fifa-world-cup-career-culminating-in-his-dramatic-qatar-2022-win/) from the original on 21 February
2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
387. Deen, Safid (4 June 2024). "Lionel Messi debuts new drink Mas+: How to get Messi's new drink online
and in stores" (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2024/06/04/mas-by-messi-how-to-buy-ne
w-lionel-messi-drink-online-and-in-stores/73971194007/). USA Today. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
388. "The World's Greatest Soccer Star Lionel Messi Unveils His Next-Generation Hydration Drink to
Canadians – Más+ by Messi – Created to Inspire Everyone to Feel Like a Champion in Every Part of
Life" (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/worlds-greatest-soccer-star-lionel-120000539.html). Yahoo!
Finance. CNW Group. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
389. Broadbent, Jessica (14 June 2024). "Will Mas+ by Messi stand the test of time?" (https://www.just-drin
ks.com/explainer/will-mas-by-messi-stand-the-test-of-time/?cf-view). JustDrinks.com. Retrieved
16 July 2024.
390. Becherano, Lizzy (19 September 2024). "Lionel Messi launches production company named 525
Rosario" (https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41328798/lionel-messi-launches-production-compan
y-named-525-rosario). ESPN.
391. "Lionel Messi's wife explains her absence at World Cup opener that left him broken hearted" (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20180701061408/http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-absence-world-cup-
759/). USAHint. 21 June 2018. Archived from the original (http://usahint.com/sports/lionel-messis-wife-
absence-world-cup-759/) on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
392. "Lionel Messi marries stunning childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in Argentine home town" (htt
p://www.independent.ie/style/weddings/lionel-messi-marries-stunning-childhood-sweetheart-antonella-r
occuzzo-in-argentine-home-town-35883938.html). Irish Independent. July 2017. Archived (https://web.
archive.org/web/20170701102939/http://www.independent.ie/style/weddings/lionel-messi-marries-stun
ning-childhood-sweetheart-antonella-roccuzzo-in-argentine-home-town-35883938.html) from the
original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
393. "Argentina hosts Lionel Messi's 'wedding of the century' " (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-amer
ica-40454654). BBC News. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170630232429/http://www.bbc.co.
uk/news/world-latin-america-40454654) from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
394. Francombe, Amy (19 December 2022). "Antonela Roccuzzo — the first lady of Argentinean football" (h
ttps://www.standard.co.uk/insider/antonella-roccuzzo-lionel-messi-wife-b1048246.html). Evening
Standard. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20221219183820/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/
antonella-roccuzzo-lionel-messi-wife-b1048246.html) from the original on 19 December 2022.
Retrieved 19 January 2022.
395. "Messi Shares Baby Joy" (http://www.beinsports.tv/news/title/messi-shares-baby-joy/article/3my803vek
9sw1ky0beeucau3b). beIN Sports. 17 June 2012.
396. "Messi Junior Named Thiago" (http://www.espnfc.com/story/1211817/messi-becomes-a-father-son-na
med-thiago). ESPN FC. 2 November 2012. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134241/htt
p://www.espnfc.com/story/1211817/messi-becomes-a-father-son-named-thiago) from the original on
24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
397. "Lionel Messi's Wife Expecting Second Child, Barcelona Star Says" (http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/
story/2426028/lionel-messis-wife-expecting-second-child-barca-star-says). ESPN FC. 30 April 2015.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002551/http://www.espnfc.com/barcelona/story/24260
28/lionel-messis-wife-expecting-second-child-barca-star-says) from the original on 24 September
2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
398. "Lionel Messi and wife Antonella Roccuzzo expecting their third child" (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-
toe-poke/65/post/3230393/lionel-messi-and-wife-antonella-roccuzzo-expecting-their-third-child). ESPN
FC. 15 October 2017. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190327112235/http://www.espnfc.com/
blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3230393/lionel-messi-and-wife-antonella-roccuzzo-expecting-their-third-chil
d) from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
399. Lisi, Clemente (16 September 2020). "A Messi situation: Examining the faith of the world's greatest
soccer player" (https://religionunplugged.com/news/2020/9/16/lionel-messi-examining-the-faith-of-the-
worlds-greatest-soccer-player). Religion Unplugged. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202212180
55412/https://religionunplugged.com/news/2020/9/16/lionel-messi-examining-the-faith-of-the-worlds-gr
eatest-soccer-player) from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
400. Balagué 2013, pp. 31, 143, 570.
401. Wright, Chris (5 November 2012). "After Just 72 Hours on the Planet, Thiago Messi Signs for Newell's
Old Boys" (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1850358/after-just-72-hours-on-the-plane
t-thiago-messi-signs-for-newells-old-boys). ESPN FC. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20160126
182132/http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1850358/after-just-72-hours-on-the-planet-th
iago-messi-signs-for-newells-old-boys) from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 25 August
2015.
402. "Lionel Messi reaffirms desire to return to Newell's Old Boys before retirement" (https://www.espn.com.
au/football/argentina/story/2943890/lionel-messi-reaffirms-desire-to-return-to-newells-old-boys-before-r
etirement). ESPN FC. 5 September 2016. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220520090716/http
s://www.espn.com.au/football/argentina/story/2943890/lionel-messi-reaffirms-desire-to-return-to-newell
s-old-boys-before-retirement) from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
403. Montes, Silvia (4 May 2019). "Leo Messi, llamado a votar en las próximas elecciones italianas" (https://
as.com/tikitakas/2019/05/04/portada/1556974023_395209.html). Diario AS (in Spanish). Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20220820190043/https://as.com/tikitakas/2019/05/04/portada/1556974023_39
5209.html) from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
404. "Messi, father guilty of tax fraud, given suspended 21-month sentences" (https://www.si.com/planet-fut
bol/2016/07/06/lionel-messi-tax-fraud-prison-jail-sentence). Sports Illustrated. 6 July 2016. Archived (ht
tps://web.archive.org/web/20160707152733/http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/07/06/lionel-messi-ta
x-fraud-prison-jail-sentence) from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
405. "Barcelona's Lionel Messi in tax court: I played football and trusted my father" (http://www.espnfc.com/
spanish-primera-division/story/2884966/barcelonas-lionel-messi-in-tax-court-i-played-football-and-trust
ed-my-dad). ESPN FC. 2 June 2016. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20190327112233/http://w
ww.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/2884966/barcelonas-lionel-messi-in-tax-court-i-played-f
ootball-and-trusted-my-dad) from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
406. Caioli 2012, pp. 69–71.
407. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2003–04" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
03-04). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630165905/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/
p/j1753.html?temp=2003-04) from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
408. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2004–05" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
04-05). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630175258/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/
p/j1753.html?temp=2004-05) from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
409. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2005–06" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
05-06). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630200019/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/
p/j1753.html?temp=2005-06) from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
410. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2006–07" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
06-07). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630212928/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/
p/j1753.html?temp=2006-07) from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
411. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2007–08" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
07-08). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630205507/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/
p/j1753.html?temp=2007-08) from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
412. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2008–09" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
08-09). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20211209091527/https://www.bdfutbol.com/e
n/p/j1753.html?temp=2008-09) from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
413. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2009–10" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
09-10). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220318114330/https://www.bdfutbol.com/e
n/p/j1753.html?temp=2009-10) from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
414. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2010–11" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
10-11). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20150630194758/http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/
p/j1753.html?temp=2010-11) from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
415. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2011–12" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
11-12). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220318162042/https://www.bdfutbol.com/e
n/p/j1753.html?temp=2011-12) from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
416. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2012–13" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
12-13). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220318133303/https://www.bdfutbol.com/e
n/p/j1753.html?temp=2012-13) from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
417. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2013–14" (http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=20
13-14). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210810163710/https://www.bdfutbol.com/e
n/p/j1753.html?temp=2013-14) from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
418. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2014–15" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
014-15). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180915085528/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2014-15) from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
419. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2015–16" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
015-16). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180915085556/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2015-16) from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 6 September
2015.
420. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2016–17" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
016-17). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230821010456/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2016-17) from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
421. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2017–18" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
017-18). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230822014537/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2017-18) from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
422. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2018–19" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
018-19). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230821010232/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2018-19) from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
423. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2019–20" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
019-20). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210706113637/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2019-20) from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
424. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2020–21" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
020-21). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230822014539/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2020-21) from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
425. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2021–22" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
021-22). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20211130204328/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2021-22) from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
426. "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2022–23" (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j1753.html?temp=2
022-23). BDFutbol. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230821010233/https://www.bdfutbol.com/
en/p/j1753.html?temp=2022-23) from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
427. Balagué 2013, pp. 220–240.
428. Balagué 2013, pp. 436–437.
429. Saaid, Hamdan (12 September 2008). "Games of the XXIX. Olympiad" (https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/o
l2008f-det.html). Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
430. "La selección catalana pierde ante Argentina (0–1) en un partido marcado por la política" (https://www.
elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/05/24/barcelona/1211658712.html). El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 May 2008.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080527190720/http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/05/24/b
arcelona/1211658712.html) from the original on 27 May 2008.
431. "Fiesta y equilibrio" (http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2008/05/25/pagina-18/1396683/p
df.html). Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 25 May 2008. p. 18. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202
21225161247/http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2008/05/25/pagina-18/1396683/pdf.htm
l) from the original on 25 December 2022.
432. Hawkey, Ian (30 December 2013). "Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent
national football identities" (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/spain/10541466/Catalonia
-and-Basque-Country-reignite-call-for-independent-national-football-identities.html). The Daily
Telegraph. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20221228184034/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/f
ootball/teams/spain/10541466/Catalonia-and-Basque-Country-reignite-call-for-independent-national-fo
otball-identities.html) from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
433. Mamrud, Roberto (26 August 2024). "Lionel Andrés Messi – Century of International Appearances" (htt
ps://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html). Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20240924102628/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/messi-intlg.html)
from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
434. "Lionel Messi: Player Profile" (http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi). ESPN FC. Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20181011072031/http://www.espnfc.com/player/45843/lionel-messi) from
the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
435. Pettigrove, Jason (16 October 2019). "A Sixth Golden Shoe Sees Lionel Messi Stand Alone" (https://w
ww.forbes.com/sites/jasonpettigrove/2019/10/16/a-sixth-golden-shoe-sees-lionel-messi-stand-alone/).
Forbes. ISSN 0015-6914 (https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0015-6914). Archived (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20191019004931/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonpettigrove/2019/10/16/a-sixth-golden-shoe-
sees-lionel-messi-stand-alone/) from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
436. Toby Davis; Ed Osmond, eds. (18 December 2022). "Argentina's Lionel Messi: World Cup goals, stats
and career highlights" (https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/lionel-messi-argentina-players-world-cu
p-goals-stats-career-highlights-2022-12-16/). Reuters. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2023020
5112252/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/lionel-messi-argentina-players-world-cup-goals-stats-
career-highlights-2022-12-16/) from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
437. Otero, Paul M. (12 November 2013). "Palmarés de un Genio: El Coleccionista de Trofeos" (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20190328162523/https://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barc
elona/1384256483.html) [Honours of a Genius: The Collector of Trophies]. Marca (in Spanish). Spain.
Archived from the original (http://www.marca.com/accesible/2013/11/12/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1384
256483.html) on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
438. "Messi, Mejor Delantero y Mejor Jugador" (https://web.archive.org/web/20151208113604/https://www.li
gabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/)
[Messi, Best Forward and Best Player] (in Spanish). Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 2 December 2013.
Archived from the original (https://www.ligabbva.com/liga-bbva/126953/messi-mejor-delantero-y-mejor-
jugador-cristiano-jugador-mas-valioso/) on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
439. "Lionel Messi, 2014–15 Liga BBVA Best Player" (https://web.archive.org/web/20190322140218/https://
www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-bbva-best-player). Liga de Fútbol Profesional. 30
November 2015. Archived from the original (http://www.laliga.es/en/noticias/lionel-messi-201415-liga-b
bva-best-player) on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
440. "Lionel Messi Beats Cristiano Ronaldo To La Liga Best Player Award" (https://www.soccerladuma.co.z
a/news/articles/international/categories/messi-ronaldo-neymar-watch-1/lionel-messi-beats-cristiano-ron
aldo-to-la-liga-best-player-award/285797). soccerladuma. 19 December 2017. Archived (https://web.ar
chive.org/web/20230923140137/https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/international/messi-ronaldo-ney
mar-mbappe-watch/lionel-messi-beats-cristiano-ronaldo-to-la-liga-best-player-award-20171219) from
the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
441. "Leo Messi reçoit le Pichichi et MVP de la Liga 2017–18" (https://www.fcbarcelona.fr/fr/photos/913399/l
eo-messi-recoit-le-pichichi-et-mvp-de-la-liga-2017-18). FC Barcelona. 12 November 2018. Archived (ht
tps://web.archive.org/web/20230923141051/https://www.fcbarcelona.fr/fr/photos/913399/leo-messi-rec
oit-le-pichichi-et-mvp-de-la-liga-2017-18) from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved
12 November 2018.
442. "Lionel Messi wins La Liga best player award for 2018–19 season" (https://www.barcablaugranes.com/
2019/12/17/21024688/lionel-messi-wins-la-liga-best-player-award-for-2018-19-season).
barcablaugranes.com. 17 December 2019. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230923140207/htt
ps://www.barcablaugranes.com/2019/12/17/21024688/lionel-messi-wins-la-liga-best-player-award-for-
2018-19-season) from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
443. Pla Diaz, Emilio (17 January 2024). "Spain - Footballer of the Year" (https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneo
us/spanpoy.html). Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2024
1112164212/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html) from the original on 12 November
2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
444. "Laureus Sport Awards: Lionel Messi & Argentina World Cup team win Laureus awards" (https://www.b
bc.co.uk/sport/65528208). BBC Sport. 8 May 2023. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2023050901
0437/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/65528208) from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
445. Crépin, Timothé (14 December 2020). "Ballon d'Or Dream Team : Découvrez les révélations de ce
onze de légende !" (https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelatio
ns-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748) (in French). France Football. Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20201214151520/https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Ballon-d-or-dream-team-decouvrez-les-revelati
ons-de-ce-onze-de-legende/1205748) from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved
14 December 2020.
446. "Lionel Messi: World 11 through the years" (https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/wo
rld11/lionel-messi-through-the-years-in-the-world-11). FIFPRO. 15 January 2024. Archived (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20240115205630/https://fifpro.org/en/supporting-players/player-influence/world11/li
onel-messi-through-the-years-in-the-world-11) from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved
10 March 2024.
447. "In focus: All Messi's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 inclusions" (https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-
awards/articles/lionel-messi-world-11-record-the-best). FIFA. 15 January 2024. Archived (https://web.a
rchive.org/web/20240617095601/https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/articles/lionel-m
essi-world-11-record-the-best) from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
448. "Por segunda vez en la historia, el Olimpia de Oro fue compartido: Lionel Messi y Belén Casetta
fueron galardonados por su 2023" (https://www.clarin.com/deportes/segunda-vez-historia-olimpia-oro-
compartido-lionel-messi-belen-casetta-galardonados-2023_0_Axogp5m7qI.html). Clarín (in Spanish).
20 December 2023. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20240108173724/https://www.clarin.com/de
portes/segunda-vez-historia-olimpia-oro-compartido-lionel-messi-belen-casetta-galardonados-2023_0
_Axogp5m7qI.html) from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
449. "Belén Casetta compartió el Olimpia de Oro con Lionel Messi" (https://espndeportes.espn.com/espn-ru
n/nota/_/id/13015543/belen-casetta-compartio-el-olimpia-de-oro-con-lionel-messi) (in Spanish). ESPN
Deportes. 20 December 2023. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20231220182339/https://espnde
portes.espn.com/espn-run/nota/_/id/13015543/belen-casetta-compartio-el-olimpia-de-oro-con-lionel-m
essi) from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
450. Tort, Àlex (30 April 2019). "La Generalitat otorga la Creu de Sant Jordi a Messi" (https://www.lavanguar
dia.com/deportes/fc-barcelona/20190430/461968491621/leo-messi-creu-de-sant-jordi-generalitat.html)
(in Spanish). La Vanguardia. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
451. "Magic Johnson, Lionel Messi get Presidential Medal of Freedom" (https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/
id/43282285/magic-johnson-lionel-messi-receive-presidential-medal-freedom). ESPN. 4 January 2025.
Retrieved 4 January 2025.

Bibliography

Balagué, Guillem (2013). Messi (https://archive.org/details/messibiography0000bala). Orion Books.

ISBN 978-1-4091-4659-9.
Caioli, Luca (2012). Messi: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend. Corinthian Books.
ISBN 978-1-906850-40-1.
Caioli, Luca (2015). Messi: More than a Superstar. Icon Books. ISBN 978-1-906850-91-3.
Guinness World Records 2015 (https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_f8z3). Guinness
World Records. 2014. ISBN 978-1-908843-65-4.
Hunter, Graham (2012). Barça: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World. BackPage Press.
ISBN 978-0-9564971-8-5.
Lisi, Clemente Angelo (2011). A History of the World Cup: 1930–2010 (https://archive.org/details/histor
yofworldcu0000lisi_v7i5). Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-7754-2.
Tomkins, Paul (2007). Above Us Only Sky: Liverpool FC's Global Revolution. Anchor Print Group.
ISBN 978-0-9556367-0-7.

External links
Official website (https://messi.com)
Profile (https://www.intermiamicf.com/players/lionel-messi/) at Inter Miami
Profile (https://en.psg.fr/teams/first-team/squad/lionel-messi) at PSG
Profile (https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/players/4974/lionel-messi) at FC Barcelona
Profile (https://web.archive.org/web/20180719183842/http://www.laliga.es/en/player/messi) at La Liga
Profile (https://www.ligue1.com/player?id=lionel-andres-messi-cuccittini) at Ligue 1
Profile (https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/lionel-messi/) at MLS
Lionel Messi (https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j1753.html) at BDFutbol
Lionel Messi (https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=39850) at Soccerbase
Lionel Messi (https://int.soccerway.com/players/-/119/) at Soccerway
Lionel Messi (https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12066.html) at National-Football-
Teams.com
Lionel Messi (https://web.archive.org/web/20150905/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coac
hes/people=229397/index.html) – FIFA competition record (archived)
Lionel Messi (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/95803/) – UEFA competition
record (archive (https://web.archive.org/web/2020/https://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/play
er=95803/profile/index.html))

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lionel_Messi&oldid=1273439007"