Lionel Messi is an Argentine footballer and, for most observers, the greatest player the game has ever produced. Eight Ballon d’Or awards, a record haul of trophies at Barcelona, and the World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022 completed a career that began with a shy boy from Rosario who needed growth-hormone treatment just to keep playing.
| Full Name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Born | 24 June 1987, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Age | 39 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Occupation | Footballer (Inter Miami and Argentina) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Known For | Barcelona legend, 2022 World Cup winner, record eight Ballon d’Or awards |
| Net Worth (est.) | Around $650 million (estimates vary) |
Early Life in Rosario
Messi was born in Rosario to Jorge Messi, a steel factory worker, and Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet workshop. He joined local club Grandoli at four and Newell’s Old Boys at six, scoring freely in a celebrated youth side. At 11 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency; treatment cost around $1,000 a month, beyond his family’s means and beyond what Argentine clubs would fully cover. FC Barcelona director Carles Rexach, convinced by a trial, famously sketched a contract on a paper napkin in December 2000 — Barcelona would pay for the treatment. The family relocated to Spain when Messi was 13.
Career Breakthrough: La Masia to the First Team
Messi raced through Barcelona’s academy and made his competitive first-team debut in October 2004, aged 17. Under Frank Rijkaard and then Pep Guardiola he became the centre of arguably the greatest club side ever assembled, alongside Xavi and Iniesta. By 2009 he had won his first Ballon d’Or and the treble; by 2012 he scored an astonishing 91 goals in a calendar year, a world record. Playing much of his peak as a ‘false nine’, he redefined what a forward could be — scorer, playmaker and dribbler in one.
Career Highlights and Records
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 with 672 goals — the most ever scored for a single club — 35 trophies, and six Ballon d’Or awards from his time there (he later won two more, in 2021 and 2023). Two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain brought two Ligue 1 titles, and in the middle of them came the crowning achievement: captaining Argentina to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, scoring seven goals and winning the Golden Ball for a second time. In 2023 he joined Inter Miami in MLS, instantly transforming the club and the league’s global profile, and led Argentina to a second straight Copa América in 2024. He is Argentina’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player.
Lionel Messi Net Worth and Salary
Messi’s net worth is commonly estimated at around $650 million, built on two decades of elite salaries — his final Barcelona contract was reported to be worth over €555 million across four years — a lifetime Adidas endorsement deal, and revenue-sharing arrangements with MLS partners Apple and Adidas attached to his Inter Miami move. His Miami package combines a playing salary with equity and media elements, and Forbes has consistently placed him among the world’s two highest-paid athletes. Figures are estimates drawn from public reporting, not official disclosures.
Personal Life
Messi married his childhood sweetheart, Antonella Roccuzzo, in Rosario in 2017; they have three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. Famously reserved off the pitch, he has said his family life in Rosario, Barcelona and Miami anchors him, and his foundation supports children’s healthcare and education projects in Argentina and Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lionel Messi?
He was born on 24 June 1987, making him 39 years old in 2026.
What is Lionel Messi’s net worth?
Commonly estimated at around $650 million from salary, endorsements and business deals — an estimate, not an official figure.
How many Ballon d’Or awards has Lionel Messi won?
Eight — a record — in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Which teams has Lionel Messi played for?
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami at club level, and Argentina internationally, whom he captained to the 2022 World Cup.
Related Biographies
Cristiano Ronaldo (his great rival), Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland — more in our Athletes & Sports Stars collection.
Net worth and salary figures are estimates based on publicly available sources and may change over time.
