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Lionel Messi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 6, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth24 June 1987

Age39 Years

BirthplaceRosario, Argentina

ProfessionFootball Player

NationalityArgentine

Marital statusMarried

SpouseAntonella Roccuzzo

FamilyThree sons: Thiago, Mateo, Ciro; parents Jorge Horácio Messi and Celia María Cuccittini; siblings Rodrigo, Matías, Maria Sol

Lionel Messi Biography

One of football’s most decorated players, Lionel Andrés Messi rose from Rosario, Argentina to become a global icon through extraordinary goalscoring, play‑

Early life and background
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Raised in a family with deep local roots, he began playing organized football as a young child, joining local youth sides including Grandoli and later Newell's Old Boys. As a youngster he was coached by his father and developed the low center of gravity and dribbling ability that would define his playing style.

Career
Messi’s professional club career started in Barcelona’s youth teams and B and C sides before he made his first-team club debut for FC Barcelona in October 2004. He became established as a forward wearing the number 10 shirt and went on to spend the bulk of his career at Barcelona, where he won numerous domestic and European honours and set multiple scoring records for the club and in La Liga.

After leaving Barcelona in 2021 amid the club’s financial restrictions, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain and later moved to Inter Miami in July 2023. Internationally he debuted for Argentina in August 2005 and, despite an inauspicious start that included an early red card, he grew into his role as his country’s leading goalscorer and most influential player.

Playing style and records
Messi is predominantly left-footed and known for his dribbling, close control and ability to change direction at pace. Over the course of his career he has accumulated an extensive list of individual records and awards: multiple Ballon d'Or wins (including triumphs in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023), several European Golden Boots, UEFA and La Liga individual honours, and unique scoring achievements such as becoming the all-time top scorer for Argentina and the all-time leading scorer for a single club after surpassing previous marks in December 2020.

His trophies and honours also include continental and global awards — among them FIFA and UEFA recognitions and Club World Cup individual prizes. He has been top scorer in multiple Champions League seasons and holds the record for the most hat-tricks in the competition, alongside other milestones achieved at relatively young ages.

Personal life
Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo on 30 June 2017. The couple have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. His parents are Jorge Horácio Messi and Celia María Cuccittini, and he has two older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and a younger sister, Maria Sol. Rodrigo has served as part of Messi’s business management, while Matías has been involved with his professional brands.

Messi holds both Argentine and Spanish passports. He was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, a challenge addressed during his development as a player. He has been involved in charitable work throughout his career, founding the Leo Messi Foundation and serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Public profile
Messi’s public image blends sporting excellence with a relatively private personal life. He has been a frequent presence in global sports media and commercial partnerships, including a role as a global ambassador for a corporate education initiative. Filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia directed a documentary about him that premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2014.

Throughout his career Messi has drawn comparisons to legendary Argentine players, and his accomplishments have made him one of football’s most celebrated figures. He is also noted for personal habits and preferences mentioned publicly, such as music and video games among his hobbies, and a preference for non-vegetarian food.

Latest updates
In 2021 Messi won the Copa America with Argentina, his first senior international trophy, and in the same year he left Barcelona after a long and trophy-laden association with the club. He accepted a new challenge at Paris Saint-Germain and later signed with Inter Miami in July 2023. His individual recognition has continued into the 2020s, including a Ballon d’Or award in 2023.

Career milestones and turning points
A notable early moment that helped cement his reputation occurred in 2007 when a hat-trick against Real Madrid drew widespread attention. From that point onward Messi accumulated a sequence of personal awards and goal-scoring records that established him among the sport’s all-time greats.

Public honours and charity
Messi’s off-field commitments include his foundation’s work on education, health and sport for children and his role with UNICEF. He has participated in fund-raising initiatives and public campaigns connected to those efforts.
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Recent Work

Inter Miami

Joined Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in July 2023.

2023
Paris Saint-Germain

Played for Paris Saint-Germain following his departure from FC Barcelona in 2021.

2021
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Career Highlights

  1. All-time top goalscorer for Argentina
  2. All-time record scorer for a single club (surpassed in December 2020)
  3. Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
  4. Multiple European Golden Boots and UEFA/La Liga individual awards
  5. Winner of the 2021 Copa America with Argentina
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lionel Messi born?

24 June 1987

What is Lionel Messi known for?

Football Player

What is Lionel Messi’s marital status?

Married

Who is Lionel Messi married to?

Antonella Roccuzzo