Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi is carried around the Lusail Stadium in Qatar after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final in December 2022.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi, right, attends elementary school in Rosario, Argentina, in 1992. He was born in Rosario on June 24, 1987, and is the third of four children born to Jorge Messi, a steel factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi, top, poses with members of his family in Rosario in 2003. Below him, from left, are brother Rodrigo, sister Maria Sol, father Jorge, mother Celia, nephew Tomás and brother Matías. As a young boy, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. He played for the local club team, Newell's Old Boys, before signing with Spanish club FC Barcelona at age of 13. As part of the contract, Barcelona agreed to pay for Messi's hormone treatments.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi is congratulated by Barcelona teammates after scoring his first goal for the club on May 1, 2005. Messi was 17 years old.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi poses with an Argentina shirt for the magazine El Gráfico in June 2005. He would make his senior debut for his country a couple of months later.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi makes his Argentina debut against Hungary in August 2005. He came on in the 63rd minute but was given a red card after just two minutes for a perceived elbow against a defender.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi, left, celebrates with teammates Ronaldinho, center, and Rafael Márquez after Barcelona won the Spanish league title in May 2006. Less than two weeks later, Barcelona won the Champions League — Messi's first with the club.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Julio Cruz arrive in Italy for a friendly match in May 2006. Argentina was preparing for the World Cup in June.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi signs autographs while training ahead of the World Cup in Germany in June 2006.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
A poster of Messi is seen at Argentina's World Cup base in Herzogenaurach, Germany, in June 2006.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi scores against Serbia and Montenegro during a World Cup group-stage match in June 2006. Messi was the youngest Argentine to play and score in a World Cup. Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals that year and lost to Germany in a penalty shootout.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi, left, and Argentina teammate Sergio Agüero celebrate after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi kisses his boot after scoring his header against Manchester United. His boot had come off while landing on his jump.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi leaps for a header, scoring a goal in the Champions League final against Manchester United in May 2009. Barcelona won 2-0.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
In December 2009, Messi was recognized as the world's best footballer when he won the Ballon d'Or for the first time. He has now won the award a record seven times.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi takes a free kick during a Spanish league match against Atlético Madrid in 2011. During the 2011-12 season, Messi scored 73 goals, setting the all-time record for most goals scored in a season for a major European football league.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi, left, stands next to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during a match in Madrid in March 2014. The two superstars faced each other many times over the years, both on the field and off the field as they competed for awards.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi walks with Argentina teammates after losing the World Cup final to Germany in July 2014. Messi won the Golden Ball award that is given to the tournament's top player.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi scores a goal during a Spanish league match against Sevilla in November 2014. He had a hat trick and became the league's all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi takes the microphone from Ronaldo after they were selected for the FIFA World XI in 2015.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi collapses to the ground after missing in the penalty shootout that decided the Copa América final in June 2016. After the loss to Chile, Messi said he would probably retire from international soccer. He did not.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi celebrates with Barcelona teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup in August 2016.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo in Rosario in 2017. They have three sons together: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi collects his sixth Ballon d'Or award in 2019. He added a seventh in 2021.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi arrives for a Barcelona training session in September 2020. It was his first time back since a failed attempt to leave the club that summer.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
After years of heartbreak with Argentina, Messi finally won a major international trophy when he captained the Albiceleste to a Copa América title in July 2021. It was Argentina's first major title in 28 years.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi bids a tearful farewell to Barcelona after it was announced in August 2021 that he would be leaving the club after more than 20 years. Messi won 10 league titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi is unveiled with his new club, Paris Saint-Germain, in August 2021.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi celebrates after scoring during Argentina's shootout victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals in December 2022.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after the 2022 final. Messi is holding the Golden Ball trophy, which is awarded to the tournament's best player.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi lifts the World Cup trophy.
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Lionel Messi's life in pictures
Messi holds the trophies for top scorer and best player after Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup tournament in August 2023. Messi scored 10 goals in seven matches.