Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi Cuccittini (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, he played for the Argentina national team for 21 years, retiring in 2026. He has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballons d'Or, six European Golden Shoes, and being named the world's best player by FIFA eight times. He was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2020 and 2023, and was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS in 2025. He was among Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023.

Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional football, having won 47 team trophies across more than 1,200 career appearances. He has scored over 930 senior career goals and provided over 420 assists for club and country, making him the second-highest goalscorer and the highest assist provider in the history of football. He was ranked as the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2019 and 2022. In 2020, he became the second footballer to surpass $1 billion in career earnings.

In 2004, Messi made his competitive debut for the La Liga club Barcelona at age 17. He was awarded the FIFPRO Young Player of the Year in 2006, 2007 and 2008. During the 2008–09 season, he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football, earning him the first of four consecutive Ballons d'Or. By the 2011–12 season he had set the European record for most goals in a season and was Barcelona's all-time top scorer. During the 2014–15 season, Messi formed the successful attacking trio MSN with Luis Suárez and Neymar, helping Barcelona achieve a historic second treble and subsequently earning his fifth Ballon d'Or.