Written By:
Shrilata Patwa

Much like many other people to figure out their talents was extremely hard, Lionel Messi found it easy since his passion for sports has been clear from his childhood.

Lionel Messi Childhood and Early Life

Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. With his extremely zealous behavior for football that has been coming from his maternal grandmother, as it was she who accompanied him for training and matches from his childhood. He was so pompous by her death that he always celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute for her.

Messi's childhood struggle:

At the age of 4, he joined a local club Grandoli where he was trained by his coached father. At the age of 6, he joined the  Rosario club in which he scored almost 500 goals as a member of "The Machine of '87'", where crowds of the stadium had always been entertained by his ball tricks performance. But soon the dreams of becoming a professional player started fading when he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. At the age of 13 years, due to physical limitations and financial restrictions he drives to Spain to join FC Barcelona, who agreed to pay for his medical treatment. His initial stage in Spain was quite hard since due to transfer conflict as a foreigner, also through homesickness. After his mother moved with his brother, sister and he has to stay with his father in Barcelona.

At the age of 13, he first signed for FC Barcelona and played for them. On May 1, 2005, he framed himself in the record book as the youngest player at the age of 16 to ever score a goal for the franchise and in the same year gave the title of under-20 World Cup to Argentina.

Ultimately, Messi's short height (5 feet,7 inches), help him to give the attacking style with his speed that helps to win the major title for Argentina's national team. At age 16, 2003, he made his first-team debut where he came in the 75th minute during a friendly match against José Mourinho's Porto. His first training session with the senior squad, squad Barça's new star player, Ronaldinho, that soon befriended with Messi, whom he called "little brother", which greatly eased his transition into the first team where he believed him that he would become an even better player than himself.

In 2005, Lionel Messi step in his first International debut against Hungary, where he only spent 47 seconds as he was shown a red card. In 2009 it was a successful year for Messi as he not only help his team to win La Liga, but help to achieve Copa del Rey, and finally the Champions League. Barcelona with three victories in a single year became the first-ever Spanish club to win the treble where Messi completed the season with an overall 38 goals and 18 assists record. After that, there is no one to stop to achieve the smallest boy for his biggest dreams. In 2010 the "Spanish Super Cup championships" and in next year "11 Champions League title" with that in 2012 he became "the second-highest goal scorer" with 194 goals in all official competitions and in January 2013 he was named the "FIFA Ballon d'Or winner" for the fourth time. No one could have predicted that after 17 years and 114 days the Argentinian footballer, Lionel Messi, would be playing for his national team and FC Barcelona with non-stop faith and with so much dedication,

He announced his retirement from international football on 26 June 2016 after missed a penalty in the final shootout in the Copa America Final and Argentina lost to Chile. But, Later he reverses his decision of retirement and led his country to qualify the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and last but not least Messi recently awarded the Forward of the Season award for the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League campaign. Lionel Messi pushed over his boundaries to go from being the "smallest player from all other teammates on the pitch” to one of the worldwide recognition as one of the topmost goal scorers in the world" with five Golden Balls and three European Golden Shoes.

Lionel Messi Personal Life

On June 30, 2017, Messi married his childhood friend Antonella Roccuzzo whom he knows from the age of 5. They gave birth to their 1st son Thiago in 2012, their 2nd son Mateo in 2015, and last Ciro in 2018. He has been always involved with charitable activities throughout his career and he was appointed as a UNICEF Ambassador in March 2010. He also has his own charitable organization "Leo Messi Foundation" which supports education, health, and sports for children.

"You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.

Lionel Messi"

Lionel Messi Personal Details:
Real/Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Nickname: Atomic Flea, La Pulga Atomica, Messidona, La Pulga, and Leo
Date Of Birth(DOB): 24 June 1987 (Wednesday)
Age:
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Football Player
Birth Place/Hometown: Rosario, Argentina
Residence: Bellamar, Barcelona
Nationality: Argentine
School: He did not pursue school!
College:He did not pursue college!
Educational Qualification: None!
Religion: Roman Catholic
Caste/Sect: Unknown
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Blood Group: Unknown
Tattoos: Some tattoos on hand and some on his leg! Also on backside he having his mother's image tattoo!

Zodiac Sign/Sun Sign: Cancer
Address: Bellamar, Barcelona
Signature or Autograph:

Lionel Messi Physical Details:
Height(Approx): in centimeters- 170 cm
in meters- 1.70 m
in feet inches- 5’ 07”
Weight(Approx): in kilograms- 75 kg
in pounds- 165 lbs
Figure Measurements (Approx): - Chest: 40 Inches
- Waist: 31 Inches
- Biceps: 13 Inches
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black

Lionel Messi Family:
Wife / Spouse: Antonella Roccuzzo (Model) (Married on 30 June 2017)



[Lionel Messi with his wife]

[Lionel Messi with his wife in old Days]
Children's: Sons: Thiago Messi Roccuzzo (Born on 2012)
Mateo Messi Roccuzzo (Born on 2015)
Ciro Messi Roccuzzo (Born on 2018)
Daughters: Not Yet!



[Messi with his wife and children]
Father: Jorge Horácio Messi (Steel Factory Worker)

 [Lionel Messi's father and mother]
Mother: Celia María Cuccittini
Brothers: Rodrigo Messi (Elder then Messi, Messi's business manager)
Matías Messi
(Elder then Messi, Manager of Messi's brands)

[Lionel Messi with his Brothers and Sister]
Sisters: Maria Sol Messi (Younger then Messi)(Social Media Influencer)

Other Family Members: Celia Oliveira Cuccittini (Grandmother),
Rosa Maria Pérez (Grandmother),
Eusebio Messi (Grandfather),
Antonio Cuccittini (Grandfather)

Lionel Messi Sweet Memories:
Lionel Messi Childhood:




[Lionel Messi in Childhood]
Lionel Messi Wedding Pictures:

Messi Marriage Date: 30 June 2017

Lionel Messi Wedding Venue: Luxury hotel in the city of Rosario.



Lionel Messi Celebration Moments:







 [All images are Third-party images!]

Lionel Messi Profession Details:
Team: Current team: Barcelona
Number: 10

1994–2000: Newell's Old Boys
2001–2004: Barcelona

2003–2004: Barcelona C
2004–2005: Barcelona B
2004: Barcelona

National teams:
2004–2005: Argentina U20
2008: Argentina U23
2005: Argentina
Cups and trophies won:Messi has won a staggering 34 trophies at Barcelona. Messi won 10 La Liga titles, 6 Copa del Rey honors, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 4 Champions Leagues, 3 UEFA Super Cups, and 3 FIFA Club World Cups. [Source]
Achievements and Records: Click Here for Messi's Achievements and Records
Debut:In 2004 club debut for FC Barcelona against Espanyol and in 2005 he made international debut for Argentina against Hungary
Messi Jersey Number: #10 (Argentina)
#10 (FC Barcelona)
Lionel Messi Coach:Jorge Horácio Messi (In starting Messi's father given him football coaching)
Salvador Aparicio
Pep Guardiola
Frank Rijkaard
Companies: Company: Unknown

Donations and Foundation: Messi supports and donated many charities including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and charity Médecins Sans Frontières. He was appointed as a UNICEF Ambassador in March 2010

Messi made a donation worth $1 million (€1.1 million) to fight the spread of coronavirus.

Leo Messi Foundation: This supports access to health care, education, and sport for children.
Salary: 2.6 crores GBP (In 2020)
Net Worth: £309 million ($400m)
Income: £309 million ($400m)
Messi Agent Name: Guillermo Marin
Messi's Position In Football: Front (Forward)

Lionel Messi Affairs/Girlfriends(Controversial):
Lionel Messi Affairs and Girlfriends: Antonella Roccuzzo (Model) (Married on 30 June 2017)

Lionel Messi Likes/Dislikes and Favourite Things/Stuff:
Lionel Messi Likes and Dislikes: Likes: Spending time with family-friends, playing football, Travelling, and fitness.

Dislikes: Unknown
Messi Favorite Song / Music / Lionel Messi Favorite Song / Lionel Messi Favorite Music / Leo Messi Favorite Song : Los Cafres – Hijo ,Los Cafres – Aire ,Shakira – Waka Waka ,El Polaco – La zurda de oro (Dedicatoria a Messi) and ,Juanes – A Dios le pido. [Source]
Messi Favorite Player / Lionel Messi Favorite Player / Messi Favorite Basketball Player / Messi Favorite Football Player / Lionel Messi Favorite Soccer Player: Ronaldinho [Source]
Messi Favorite Number: 10 [Messi Jersey Number]
Lionel Messi Favorite Actor: Unknown
Lionel Messi Favorite Food / Messi Favorite Food / Leo Messi Favorite Food: Milanesa Napolitana [Source]
Lionel Messi Favorite Color / Messi Favorite Color / Leo Messi Favorite Color: Red [Source]
Lionel Messi Favorite Cricketer : Unknown
Lionel Messi Favorite Movie / Messi Favorite Movie: 1994 comedy movie Baby’s Day Out [Source]
Lionel Messi Favorite Drink / Messi Favorite Drink: Unknown
Messi Favorite Boots: Adidas Nemeziz
Messi Favorite Book / Lionel Messi Favorite Book: El Martín Fierro by Jorge Luis Borges [Source]
Messi Favorite Coach: Frank Rijkaard [Source]
Messi Favorite Candy: Unknown
Lionel Messi Favorite Car / Messi Favorite Car : 335 S Spider Scaglietti
Messi Favorite Restaurant / Lionel Messi Favorite Restaurant: Bellavista Jardín del Norte
Lionel Messi Favourite Pet/Animal: Dogs


[He has the French Mastiff(Dogue de Bordeaux) breed dog name Señor Hulk (Sr. Hulk for short) which given him as a present by his wife!]

Messi Favorite Sport: Football
Lionel Messi Favorite Things / Hobbies: Spending time with family-friends, playing football, Travelling, and fitness.
Smoking Habit: Yes [Now he quit smoking] [Source]
Drinking Habit: Yes [Source]
Food preference: Non-Vegetarian

Lionel Messi Controversies:
Affairs: Lionel Messi never involved in any affairs controversy. He only dated model Antonella Roccuzzo and now they are married.
Tax fraud controversy: In 2013 Messi was suspected for tax evasion. 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. [Source]

Messi and Brazil coach Tite controversy: During match due to some argument, Messi said Brazil coach Tite to "Shut Up". [Source]

Messi and Gary Medel: During the match, the situation got ugly when the fight started between Chile captain Gary Medel and Messi. [Source]

Spatting on Malaga winger Duda: During La Liga match in 2008, Messi lost his temper and spat at Malaga winger Duda. [Source]

Messi vs Darijo Srna: In 2009 during a match in frustration for a missing goal, Messi pushed Darijo Srna from the back. [Source]

Messi vs Weligton Oliveira: During a match in 2008, Messi has an argument and fight with Weligton Oliveira. [Source]

Messi and Pepe,  Raldes, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Valencia Fans: During the match, Messi had an argument fight with PepeRaldes, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, and Valencia Fans. [Source [Source] [Source] [Source]
Messi Vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Fans always compare Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Always tries to show someone better, but Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never mentioned competition in between them. They both always seen as friends instead of competitors.


Lionel Messi Social Media Links:
YouTube: Click Here
Website: Click Here
Wikipedia: Click Here
IMDB: Click Here
Twitter: Click Here
Facebook: Click Here
Instagram: Click Here