101 Facts About Lionel Messi Soccer Legend

If you want interesting facts about Lionel Messi – this is for you.

Lionel Messi, often referred to as “La Pulga” or “The Flea” for his quick and magical moves on the soccer field, is a name that resonates with fans worldwide.

Over the years, he has dazzled us with his extraordinary skills, humility, and a love for the game that has made him one of the greatest footballers of all time.

In this article, we dive into 101 fascinating facts about Lionel Messi, exploring the milestones, records, and the man behind the magic. Let’s get into it!

Facts About Messi

In this article, you can read through all sections or skip ahead to the topics that are most important to you. Make sure to stick around until the end, watch the video tutorial, and get your special free gift that is guaranteed to make you a better player.

1. 101 Interesting Facts About Lionel Messi
2. How to become a better soccer player, improve faster & achieve more

I hope this article gives you as many facts about Messi as you can handle – Let’s go!

Facts About Lionel Messi

1. Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
2. Date of Birth: June 24, 1987
3. Place of Birth: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
4.  Lionel Messi had won the Ballon d’Or more times than any other player in the world (8).
5. Height: 1.70 meters (5 feet 7 inches)
6. Weight: 72 kg (159 pounds)
7. Messi’s nickname is “La Pulga” (The Flea) due to his low center of gravity and quick movements.
8. He started playing soccer at a young age for the local club, Newell’s Old Boys.
9. Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at a young age, which led to his move to Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13.
10. Barcelona paid for Messi’s growth hormone treatment, showcasing their commitment to his development.

Fun Facts About Messi

11. Messi’s debut for Barcelona’s first team was in 2004, at the age of 17.
12. Lionel Messi’s jersey number at Barcelona was initially 30, but he later switched to his iconic number 10.
13. He is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer (672 goals).
14. Messi has won the Champions League three times – in 2009, 2011 and 2015 (all with Barcelona).
15. With Barcelona he won a club-record 34 trophies, ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles.
16. He has spent the majority of his career at Barcelona, but in August 2021, he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
17. Messi’s move to PSG came after financial difficulties forced Barcelona to let him go due to salary cap restrictions.
18. Other awards Lionel Messi has won: Golden Foot, Golden Boy, and FIFA World Player of the Year.
19. He holds the record for the most goals in a calendar year, scoring 91 goals in 2012.
20. Messi is considered by many the greatest dribbler of all time.

Interesting Facts About Messi

21. He scored 665 goals from his left leg foot, 100 goals from his right leg foot, 26 headers.
22. Messi has notched an astonishing 361 career assists for club and country.
23. He is the all-time leading scorer for the Argentina national team (106 international goals).
24. Messi won his first major international trophy with Argentina in 2021, leading them to victory in the Copa America.
25. His style of play is often described as magical, and he is known for making the difficult look effortless on the field.
26. Messi is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart. They got married in 2017.
27. The couple has three children: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
28. Messi has his own charitable foundation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports education and healthcare initiatives for children.
29. Messi has 496 million followers on Instragram.
30. Messi’s signing with PSG marked the beginning of the “Messi-Neymar-Mbappé” (MSM).

Important Facts About Lionel Messi

31. Messi has a lifetime deal with Adidas and has his own line of Messi-branded football boots.
32. In 2016, Messi briefly retired from international football but later reversed his decision.
33. His famous goal celebration involves pointing to the sky in honor of his grandmother, who passed away when he was young.
34. Messi has played under several notable managers, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Ernesto Valverde.
35. He has a close friendship with fellow footballer Sergio Aguero, and they have played together for both Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
36. Messi has won the Balon D’or 3 more times than his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
37. Despite intense competition, Messi and Ronaldo have shown mutual respect for each other.
38. Messi is known for his calm and reserved personality in interviews and public appearances.
39. He is the top scorer in Barcelona’s El Clásico matches against Real Madrid (26 goals in 45 matches).
40. Messi has scored numerous hat-tricks throughout his career (57 hat-tricks).

Interesting Facts About Lionel Messi

41. He holds the record for the most goals in a single season in Europe’s top five leagues, scoring 50 goals in La Liga in the 2011-2012 season.
42. Lionel Messi Net Worth (2023-2024): $650 million.
43. In 2009, Messi played a crucial role in helping Barcelona secure a historic treble by winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League in the same season.
44. Lionel Messi is the 2nd highest scorer in the UEFA Champions League history (129 goals).
45. Messi’s departure from Barcelona marked the end of an era, as he had spent more than 20 years with the club.
46. Messi now plays for Inter Miami FC in the MLS (major league soccer – USA).
47. He is the highest-paid footballer in the world, earning a significant salary and endorsement deals.
48. Messi’s top running speed was recorded at 32.50 km/h
49. He has scored 65 goals from Free Kicks in his career.
50. Messi’s Barcelona jersey sales were consistently among the highest in the world.

Fun Facts About Lionel Messi

51. Messi has more than a dozen ongoing brand endorsements, with Adidas the most lucrative. Other partners include Budweiser, Mastercard, Pepsi, Saudi Arabia tourism and Socios.
52. Messi is known for his humility and being a great team player.
53. His playing style has often drawn comparisons to Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
54. Messi has won the world cup with Argentina in 2022.
55. Messi scored 32 goals in 75 games for PSG.
56. He has faced challenges with tax evasion accusations but was not convicted.
57. Messi has a 90 player rating on FIFA 2022.
58. He has been featured in several documentaries, providing insights into his life and career.
59. Messi earned more than $100 million a year in playing salary and bonuses while at Barcelona.
60. He was the top scorer in La Liga for multiple seasons during his time with Barcelona.

Facts About Messi The Soccer Player

61. Messi has a a museum and a statue in his honor have been established (Rosario, Argentina).
62. Messi has played in 5 different world cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022).
63. He has scored 13 goals in 26 matches at the FIFA World Cup.
64. He is known for his precision in one-on-one situations with goalkeepers, revolutionizing the use of the delicate chips to score.
65. Messi’s partnership with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta at Barcelona formed one of the most formidable midfield-attack trios in football history.
66. David Beckham convinced Lionel Messi to move to the MLS after his time at PSG.
67. He currently has 11 goals in 14 appearances for Inter Miami FC.
68. Messi’s departure from Barcelona was an emotional moment for fans and the player.
69. He is known for his philanthropy work, including donations to hospitals and charities in Argentina.
70. Messi’s is regarded at the best player of all time by many of his peers.

Amazing Facts About Messi

71. His incredible balance and low center of gravity make it difficult for defenders to dispossess him.
72. To date Messi has played 1038 professional matches in his career.
73. His first coach at Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, was Charly Rexach.
74. Messi has expressed his fondness for playing video games, particularly during his downtime. He has been a fan of games like FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer
75. Lionel Messi has 375 million followers on Twitter (X).
76. Lionel Messi set the record for most amount of jersey sales in MLS history (2023).
77. He has been featured on the cover of TIME magazine.
78. Messi has a close friendship with former Barcelona teammate Gerard Piqué (Spain international).
79. He is known for his sportsmanship on the field, rarely engaging in controversial behavior.
80. Lionel Messi has only received 3 red cards throughout his professional career.

Lionel Messi Facts About His Life

81. La Liga all-time top scorer is Lionel Messi with 474 goals.
82. Messi has faced challenges with injuries throughout his career, but his resilience has allowed him to maintain a high level of performance.
83. Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo is a model and internet celebrity.
84. Lionel Messi was born to a poor family in Argentina. His father, Jorge, was a truck driver, and his mother, Celia, was a housewife.
85. He is often praised for his ability to adapt to different playing styles and formations.
86. Messi has scored 108 penalties (with 31 misses) in his career.
87. He has played in multiple positions during his career, including as a false nine and a central attacking midfielder.
88. Messi’s is famed for his incredible left-foot (but does have the ability to score with his right).
89. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has decided to retire his iconic No. 10 jersey
90. Messi has played in 3 different countries: Spain, France, and USA.

Cool Facts About Lionel Messi

91. Messi has also invested in a number of hotels (the hotel chain MiM Hotels).
92. Messi scored 89 goals in 97 official matches in the Barça youth teams (La Masia).
93. He has a tattoo of his mother’s face on his left shoulder.
94. Messi’s departure from Barcelona was a result of financial struggles facing the club, rather than a desire to leave.
95. He has a reserved and private personality, avoiding the spotlight outside of football.
96. Messi has three adorable sons together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
97. He has a strong bond with his children, often sharing family moments on social media.
98. In 2012 Messi scored 5 goals against Bayern Leverkusen (UEFA champions league).
99. Messi scored in 21 straight matches for Barcelona in the 2012/13 La Liga campaign.
100. Messi’s impact on football extends beyond the pitch, influencing the sport’s culture and popularity worldwide.
101. He remains an inspiration to aspiring footballers and fans alike, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the sport.

101 Facts About Lionel Messi

As we conclude our exploration into the world of Lionel Messi, it’s evident that his impact extends far beyond the soccer field.

From his early days at Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, to becoming the all-time top scorer for both Barcelona and the Argentina national team, Messi’s journey is a testament to talent, perseverance, and dedication.

His iconic moments, whether scoring incredible goals or lifting major trophies, have etched his name in football history. Let Messi serve as inspiration in your own soccer career. Analyze his style, study his play, and add what you can to your own game.

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About The Author

I used to be a soccer player who struggled with self-confidence. I felt slow, weak, and unmotivated. My coaches didn’t pay much attention to me, my friends laughed at my lack of skills. At one point, I even became so discouraged that I quit the sport altogether.

Enough was enough. I decided to take control of my own development and set out on a journey to become a better soccer player. This path led me on an incredible journey of self-improvement.

I went on to win league and goal-scoring titles, earn awards, lift trophies, and received a college scholarship. I’ve even earned international caps for my country.

I started sharing my knowledge with others and teaching them how to become the best soccer players they could be. My YouTube channel grew to over 500,000 subscribers. I coached for top youth clubs, started my own soccer training company, and coached the most prestigious men’s club in my city for several years.

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Want more soccer training content?

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Wishing You Success In Soccer

Coach Dylan
Progressive Soccer

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101 Facts About Lionel Messi Soccer Legend