Lionel Messi

Messi with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini
Date of birth	(1987-06-24) 24 June 1987 (age 36)
Place of birth	Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current team	Inter Miami
Number	10
Youth career
1992–1995	Grandoli
1995–2000	Newell's Old Boys
2000–2003	Barcelona
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2004	Barcelona C	10	(5)
2004–2005	Barcelona B	22	(6)
2004–2021	Barcelona	520	(474)
2021–2023	Paris Saint-Germain	41	(14)
2023–	Inter Miami	0	(0)
National team‡
2004–2005	Argentina U20	18	(14)
2008	Argentina U23	5[lower-greek 1]	(2)
2005–	Argentina	172	(98)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:32, 15 January 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:05, 18 December 2022 (UTC)

Lionel Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi] ( listen); (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer. As of summer 2023, he plays for the Argentinian national team and American club Inter Miami.

Messi is widely recognized as one of the best players of all time. Messi has eight Ballon d'Or awards, the most of any player. His playing style and skills have been compared to the Argentine legend Diego Maradona. There is much competition between him and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2009, Messi was included in the "World Player of the Decade 2000s", ranking second behind Ronaldinho but ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has played alongside many football greats, such as Ronaldinho, Deco, Samuel Eto'o, Luis Suárez, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Neymar.