Lionel Messi Height, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Lionel Messi

• Lionel Messi, renowned worldwide, is hailed as one of the greatest footballers in history. He proudly represents both the Argentina national football team and the prestigious Spanish club, FC Barcelona.

• , he developed a strong love for sports and began his journey in the world of football by joining the local club “Grandoli” at the tender age of 4. Under the guidance of his father, he honed his skills and passion for the game.

• Lionel Messi’s deep bond with his late grandmother continues to influence him profoundly. During his formative years, she would always be by his side, accompanying him to training sessions and matches. In a heartfelt tribute to her memory, Messi honors her every time he scores a goal by directing his gaze towards the sky and pointing upwards.

• Messi hails from Rosario, Argentina, just like the renowned Argentine revolutionary, Che Guevara. Additionally, Messi proudly represents Rosario as its international ambassador.

• At the age of 10, he received a diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency.

• He made his debut for the first team on November 16, 2003, at the young age of 16 years, 4 months, and 23 days. This occurred in a friendly match against “FC Porto,” where he entered the game in the 75th minute.

• At the age of 16, Messi’s exceptional performance caught Ronaldinho’s attention, leading him to express to his teammates that Messi had the potential to surpass his own skills and become an even greater player.

• Despite having spent a significant amount of time in Spain, Messi declined the opportunity to play for the Spanish national team, although he holds passports for both Spain and Argentina.

• Barcelona Coach Carles Rexach was incredibly impressed by Messi’s talent and was determined to secure his signing immediately. Without any delay, he swiftly penned a contract with Messi on a paper napkin, as it happened to be the only available medium for writing at that moment.

• He had his international debut against Hungary in 2005, but it was short-lived as he received a “Red Card” after just 47 seconds.

• He is referred to as “La Pulga” (The Atomic Flea) by the Spanish Media due to his short height, which grants him a low center of gravity. This characteristic enhances his agility, enabling him to swiftly alter his direction.

• He stands out as the sole player who exhibits greater speed while carrying the ball compared to his speed without it. His playing style leans heavily towards his left foot.

• Messi holds the reputation for being the top-notch dribbler globally, showcasing exceptional mastery in propelling the ball towards the opponent’s goal while traveling with it.

• Throughout his career, Messi has constantly been compared to Diego Maradona. Lionel Messi can often be seen alongside Diego Maradona.

• In regards to the National Anthem of Argentina, Messi opts not to sing it and he has clarified his reasons during a previous interview.

I find it frustrating when people criticize you without considering the consequences. I choose not to deliberately sing the national anthem, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a deep connection to it. Each individual feels it in their own unique way. The Pumas express their emotions through tears, and that’s perfectly fine. Representing the national team is always my top priority, and I strive to win every game I participate in.

• He was ranked as the second-highest-paid athlete in the world by Forbes magazine in 2015, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

• A gold replica of Lionel Messi’s left foot, weighing 55 pounds (25 kg) and valued at $5.25 million, was made available for purchase in Japan in March 2013. The proceeds from the sale were intended to support the victims of the 2011 tsunami and earthquake. This intricate golden foot replica showcases meticulous detailing, including the depiction of blood vessels and the swirling pattern of skin on the underside. The base of the replica features Lionel Messi’s signature.

• In August 2014, the renowned filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia unveiled his documentary “Messi” at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. This captivating film delves into the life of the iconic footballer Lionel Messi.

• Lionel Messi, who has actively participated in philanthropic endeavors throughout his career, was officially named as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in March 2010.

• In addition to his accomplishments, Lionel Messi is the creator of the Leo Messi Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to helping children in the areas of education, health, and sports. Recently, Messi actively took part in a philanthropic event organized by his very own foundation.

• Messi shocked the world on 26 June 2016 when he failed to convert a penalty during the “Copa America Final” shootout, resulting in Argentina’s defeat to Chile. Devastated, he declared his retirement from international football. However, he eventually had a change of heart and successfully guided Argentina to secure a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

• Antonella Roccuzzo, who is now his wife, was originally his longtime girlfriend. She happens to be the best friend of Lucas Scaglia, who is his cousin and also a footballer.

• After Floyd Mayweather, he was named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2018, earning a salary and winnings totaling $84 million.

• In 2019, Lionel Messi was honored as the Best Player of the Year for the sixth time, clinching the prestigious “Ballon d’Or Award.” This accolade also positioned him as the player with the highest number of Ballon d’Or awards, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of 5. Additionally, Megan Rapinoe was recognized as the “Best Female Player of the Year” during the same Ballon d’Or event. Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe jointly achieved remarkable success in the world of football.

• Lionel Messi celebrated a significant achievement on 11 July 2021 as he secured his first trophy with Argentina. The Copa America final ended with a 1-0 victory against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. It was a moment of redemption for Messi, who had previously experienced defeat in a World Cup final and three Copa finals with his national team. Overwhelmed with emotions, Messi expressed his long-held belief that this triumph would eventually come, despite previous disappointments. He credited God for granting him this extraordinary moment, especially as it unfolded in Brazil, against Brazil. It felt as if this special occasion was reserved just for him. As the final whistle blew, Messi was joyfully lifted by his fellow Argentina teammates in a celebratory display of their victorious accomplishment.
• Messi was forced to depart from his beloved club, Barcelona, in August 2021, after an illustrious career that saw him win an impressive 35 trophies, including 10 league titles and four UEFA Champions League championships. The news of Messi’s departure left his fans in disbelief, with the Spanish LaLiga’s stringent financial fair-play regulations being cited as the primary reason for his exit. In an emotional press conference on August 8, 2021, Messi bid farewell to Barcelona, expressing his sadness and stating that he had no other option but to leave. He revealed that the club was hesitant to accumulate further debt, ultimately leading to his departure.

• NDTV reported that in November 2022, Byju’s, a multinational educational technology company based in India, announced Lionel Messi as the inaugural global brand ambassador for its social impact division called ‘Education For All.’ Byju’s also secured the position of official sponsor for the FIFA World Cup 2022, which will be held in Qatar.

India, prepare to greet the remarkable and unparalleled Lionel Messi, the greatest of all time in football. We honorably welcome the MESSI-ah with open arms. Together, let us strive towards our aspirations and ensure that every child across the globe attains education. #MessiXBYJUS #EnhanceYourPotential #EducationForAll

On November 7, 2022, BYJU’S tweeted.

• On June 2023, Messi made a special guest appearance on the popular Argentinian TV show Los Protectores on Star+. The show revolves around three football agents who unite to rejuvenate their careers and avoid financial collapse. Messi’s cameo took place in the first episode of the second season, which aired on June 25, 2023. In this particular episode, the agents journeyed to Paris to meet Messi and pitch him a project that aims to support aspiring young players. [4]Goal

Messi’s acting debut in Los Protectores, Adrián Suar’s television series.

Me vuelvo loco. pic.twitter.com/mWWo9jRXnV

On June 26, 2023, Messismo tweeted as @Messismo10.