Lionel Messi (Lionel Andrés Messi, born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine forward who plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. He has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards and captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After leading his country to the 2026 World Cup final, he announced his retirement from international football on 31 August 2026. This biography follows his life and career up to November 2026.
Lionel Messi at a Glance
| Full name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Born | 24 June 1987, Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina |
| Age | 39 (as of November 2026) |
| Profession | Professional footballer (forward) |
| Current club | Inter Miami (contract runs to the end of the 2028 season) |
| Ballon d'Or | Eight: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 |
| Major titles with Argentina | 2021 Copa América, 2022 FIFA World Cup, 2024 Copa América |
| International retirement | 31 August 2026 |
| Spouse | Antonela Roccuzzo (married 30 June 2017) |
| Children | Thiago, Mateo and Ciro |
Early Life in Rosario
Messi was born in Rosario to Jorge Messi, who worked at a steel plant, and Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet workshop. He started playing football as a small child and joined the youth teams of Newell's Old Boys. At the age of 10 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, and the cost of his treatment was more than his family could easily manage. Barcelona offered to pay for it, and in 2001 the family moved to Spain so that he could join the club's La Masia academy at 13.
Barcelona Years
Messi made his senior La Liga debut for Barcelona on 16 October 2004, aged 17. Over the next 17 years he became the club's all-time leading scorer and won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies. He was named club captain in 2018. Four of his Ballon d'Or awards came in a row from 2009 to 2012, and he added a fifth in 2015. His departure in 2021 came when Barcelona could not renew his contract because of the club's financial difficulties, and he left in tears at a press conference.
Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami
Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and won two Ligue 1 titles, in 2021-22 and 2022-23. On 15 July 2023 he signed for Inter Miami, and he won the Leagues Cup in his first season. He helped the club win the 2024 Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup in 2025, where Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final. He was named MLS Most Valuable Player in both 2024 and 2025. In October 2025 he extended his Miami contract through 2028.
Argentina and the World Cup
Messi won the 2005 FIFA World Under-20 Championship and the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games with Argentina. At senior level he lost three finals in a row, the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América tournaments, and he briefly retired from international football after the 2016 defeat before returning. He won the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2014 World Cup even though Argentina lost the final to Germany.
The wait ended with the 2021 Copa América, followed by the 2022 Finalissima against Italy and then the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in the final after a 3-3 draw. Messi scored twice in the final and won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, his second after 2014. His eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023 followed that triumph, and he won the Copa América again in 2024.
The 2026 World Cup and Retirement
Messi played in his sixth World Cup in 2026, at the age of 39. Argentina reached the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July 2026, where Spain won 1-0 after extra time. He finished with eight goals and the Silver Ball for the second-best player, which made him the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup final. On 31 August 2026 he announced his retirement from international football after a career of more than 200 matches for Argentina, saying that "the time has come". He remains Argentina's record appearance holder and top scorer.
Personal Life
Messi married his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo in Rosario on 30 June 2017. They have three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, and live in the United States, close to his club in Miami.
Legacy
Messi is admired for the way he combined close control, vision and scoring across two decades, and his record of eight Ballon d'Or awards stands three clear of any other player. Winning the 2022 World Cup completed a career in which he had already won almost everything at club level. He is likely to be remembered both for those numbers and for the extended final chapter in Miami.
