As a result, Messi remained virtually injury-free during the next four years, allowing him to reach his full potential. However, the Italian champions failed to secure their fifth consecutive Coppa Italia after they were eliminated by Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the competition. [562], Throughout his career, Messi has been compared with his late compatriot Diego Maradona, due to their similar playing styles as diminutive, left-footed dribblers. [49] According to then-president Joan Laporta, it was the only time the club faced a real risk of losing Messi, but he ultimately decided to stay. [582][583][584] From 200910 to 201718, Messi faced Ronaldo at least twice every season in El Clsico, which ranks among the world's most viewed annual sports events. It's hostage to lies and it's sad', "Starlet Messi Stays at Bara until 2014", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200506", "Messi's first UEFA Champions League goal", "Lionel Messi has admitted he 'deeply regrets' missing Barcelona's Champions League final celebrations in 2006", "Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Bara Decline", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200607", "Dnde Est Messi? [409] In his first World Cup match as captain, he led them to a 21 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina; he helped create Sead Kolainac's own goal and scored their second strike after a dribble past three players, his first World Cup goal since his debut in the tournament eight years earlier. [411] He scored twice in the last group match, a 32 victory over Nigeria, his second goal coming from a free kick, as they finished first in their group. Starting eleven: 1, [4] Kopa Trophy He also functions in a playmaking role, courtesy of his vision and range of passing. Cristiano . Drop YOUR opinions in the comments box below! [134] He finished the season as league top scorer in Spain and Europe for a second time, with 50 goals, a La Liga record, while his 73 goals in all competitions surpassed Gerd Mller's 67 goals in the 197273 Bundesliga season, making him the single-season top scorer in the history of European club football. [643][653] In addition to his own fundraising activities, such as his global "Messi and Friends" football matches, his foundation receives financial support from various companies to which he has assigned his name in endorsement agreements, with Adidas as their main sponsor. Following a 10 win in the next group match against Australia, ensuring their quarter-final qualification, Messi was rested during the game against Serbia, while his side won the match to finish first in their group. Indeed, while he was injury-prone in his early career, he was later able to improve his injury record by running less off the ball, and by adopting a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep schedule. President of Argentina Mauricio Macri urged Messi not to quit, stating, "We are lucky, it is one of life's pleasures, it is a gift from God to have the best player in the world in a footballing country like ours Lionel Messi is the greatest thing we have in Argentina and we must take care of him. [621], Other events have illustrated Messi's presence in popular culture. Transfer News; Transfer Rumours; . [146][147] He wore the captain's armband for the first time a month later, on 17 March, in a league match against Rayo Vallecano; by then, he had become the team's tactical focal point to a degree that was arguably rivalled only by former Barcelona players Josep Samitier, Lszl Kubala and Johan Cruyff. [122] For his efforts in 2011, he again received the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming only the fourth player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times, after Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten. "[45] Although he has improved his ability with his weaker foot since his mid-20s, Messi is predominantly a left-footed player; with the outside of his left foot, he usually begins dribbling runs, while he uses the inside of his foot to finish and provide passes and assists. [22] At 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition. It ran for six editions and ended up being an annual back and forth between Messi and Cristiano, each of them spurring the other on in their quest to be the best player in the world. [210] On 13 September, Messi scored his first hat-trick of the season in the opening game of the 201617 UEFA Champions League campaign against Celtic in a 70 victory; this was also Messi's sixth hat-trick in the Champions League, the most by any player. The Spanish champions succumbed to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals and crashed out of the competition despite having had a three-goal lead from the first leg of the fixture. Do YOU think Messi has been the best player in the world this season? [489] On 3 July, Messi assisted twice and scored from a free-kick in a 30 win over Ecuador in the quarter-finals of the competition. [475] After coming under criticism in the media over his performance following Argentina's 20 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals at the Maracan Stadium on 28 June, Messi commented that it had not been his best Copa Amrica, while also criticising the poor quality of the pitches. During the next match, against South Korea, he excelled in his playmaking role, participating in all four goals of his side's 41 victory. Messi finished with 36 LaLiga goals the sixth time he had scored 30+ goals in one season and was named Pichichi for a sixth time equalling the player the award was named after, Telmo Zarra. [168] A hat-trick scored against Sevilla on 22 November made him the all-time top scorer in La Liga, as he surpassed the 59-year record of 251 league goals held by Telmo Zarra. He scored Argentina's opening goal with a penalty, becoming in the process the first player since the last-16 round was introduced in 1986 to score a goal in every round of a single World Cup edition. [75][84], In his first uninterrupted campaign, the 200809 season, he scored 38 goals in 51 games, contributing alongside Eto'o and winger Thierry Henry to a total of 100 goals in all competitions, a record at the time for the club. [622] In 2013, a Turkish Airlines advertisement starring Messi, in which he engages in a selfie competition with then-Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, was the most-watched ad on YouTube in the year of its release, receiving 137 million views, and was subsequently voted the best advertisement of the 200515 decade to commemorate YouTube's founding. [251] On 16 April, Messi scored twice in a 30 home victory over Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals to give Barcelona a 40 aggregate win, which saw Barcelona progress to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2015; these were also his first goals in the Champions League quarter-finals since 2013. ", Pel congratulates Messi after he overtook his record in scoring the most goals for a club. ", "Lionel Messi not nominated for Ballon d'Or for first time in 17 years", "Kylian Mbapp scores a hat-trick including 8-second goal from kick-off as Paris Saint-Germain puts seven goals past Lille", "VIDO Michel Rio, le Breton plus rapide que Kylian Mbapp", "Lionel Messi, joueur du mois de septembre de la Ligue 1 Uber Eats! [370] Selectors for Spain's Under-17 squad began pursuing him in 2003 after Barcelona's director of football, Carles Rexach, alerted the Royal Spanish Football Federation to their young player. Once when he was in training with the national team in Buenos Aires, he made a three-hour trip by car to Rosario immediately after practice to have dinner with his family, spent the night with them, and returned to Buenos Aires the next day in time for practice. [179] As the season's top assist provider with 18 he surpassed Lus Figo with the most assists in La Liga;[note 4] he made his record 106th assist in a fixture against Levante on 15 February, in which he also scored a hat-trick. [654][655], Messi has also invested in youth football in Argentina: he financially supports Sarmiento, a football club based in the Rosario neighbourhood where he was born, committing in 2013 to the refurbishment of their facilities and the installation of all-weather pitches, and funds the management of several youth players at Newell's Old Boys and rival club Rosario Central, as well as at River Plate and Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires. He can take advantage of every mistake we make. [32][33] Messi was then one of several youth players called up to strengthen a depleted first team during the international break. Up until 2010, the Ballon dOr, organised by France Football, and FIFAs World Player of the Year award ran in tandem. [593] His buyout clause was set at $835million (700million). [323] He signed a two-year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year. . Injured: 1, Squad: 1, It was ridiculous. [403], After Argentina's unsuccessful performance in the Copa Amrica, Batista was replaced by Alejandro Sabella. ", "Barcelona knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Sevilla", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200910", "La Liga Title the Least Barcelona Deserve as Madrid Again Finish Empty Handed", "Messi Receives Golden Boot for Top European Scorer", "David Villa Strikes Twice as Slick Barcelona Thrash Real Madrid", "Lionel Messi Stars as Barcelona Seal Record League Win", "Most Consecutive Wins in the Top Division of Spanish football (Soccer)", "Lionel Messi Is the World's Best Player but Xavi Deserved FIFA's Award", "Two goals, one of the greatest Champions League strikes ever Lionel Messi just can't stop getting better", "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Aftermath of the Clsico Series", "Top Scorer Messi Matches Van Nistelrooy Mark", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 201011", "Spanish Primera Divisin Statistics: Top Assists 201011", "Is Sublime Lionel Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever? Nick started out with the GiveMeSport Academy in 2018 and has also previously worked as an editor for Sportskeeda. [425] At the semi-final stage, Messi excelled as a playmaker as he provided three assists and helped create three more goals in his side's 61 victory over Paraguay, receiving applause from the initially hostile crowd. [364][365] Barcelona were unable to sign him due to financial constraints. [231] On 4 November, he made his 600th appearance for Barcelona in a 21 home win over Sevilla in La Liga. [535] He also has a penchant for scoring from chips. [479], In the third-place match against Chile on 6 July, Messi set-up Agero's opening goal from a free kick in an eventual 21 win, to help Argentina capture the bronze medal; however, he was sent off along with Gary Medel in the 37th minute of play, after being involved in an altercation with the Chilean defender. Stats; Teams; Players; NBA Together; CRICKET. [423] In his 100 appearances, he had scored a total of 46 goals for Argentina, 22 of which came in official competitive matches. This was his 34th hat-trick in La Liga, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's Spanish top-flight record. Due to Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, Messi was condemned for taking on the role which was viewed as an attempt of Saudi sportswashing. 2018: Spain: 1x World Cup winner . [657] This was split between Clinic Barcelona hospital in Barcelona, Spain and his native Argentina. [403][404] Although Messi scored a record 53 goals during the 201011 club season, he had not scored for Argentina in an official match since March 2009. Seasons and stats, Tickets for Real Madrid vs Barcelona at AT&T Stadium soar above $3,000. [345][346] The following matches, after registering six goal contributions, including one goal and five assists, Messi was named Ligue 1's Player of the Month in September. [81][82][146] Signing a new Barcelona contract in 2017, he earned $667,000 per week in wages, and Barcelona also paid him $59.6million as a signing on bonus. [332], "I think about being able to reverse the situation, about not having the feeling of having changed clubs and that it didn't go well for me. I signed the contracts because I trusted my dad and the lawyers and we had decided that they would take charge of those things. The Croatia and Real Madrid star becomes the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since Kaka in 2007. . [295] Later that evening, Messi announced in an interview with Goal that he would continue at Barcelona for the final year of his contract. When and where is the 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony? [24][26] The Copa Catalunya final, a 41 victory over Espanyol, became known in club lore as the partido de la mscara, the final of the mask. He has scored three hat-tricks in 2019, equalling Cristiano Ronaldos record of 34 La Liga hat-tricks in the process. ", "Real Madrid v PSG: Messi is in Mbappe's shadow but do not buy the myth that he is finished", "A final, lots of goals and a trophy: a great start to the season! [394] During the first match, he scored the opening goal in their 21 victory over the Ivory Coast. [255][256] On 1 May, Messi scored twice in a 30 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals; his second goal of the match, a 35-yard free kick, was the 600th senior club goal of his career, all of which had been scored with Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM ( Portuguese pronunciation: [kitjnu naldu]; born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. Leo Messi ranked fifth in the 2018 Ballon d'Or award, with Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann making the top three. The Argentinean polled 47.88% of the votes compared to 21.6% for Cristiano. [12] He was greatly affected by her death, shortly before his eleventh birthday; since then, as a devout Roman Catholic, he has celebrated his goals by looking up and pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother. Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann could not inspire his side to the Spanish title but did manage to help them to the UEFA Super Cup this season. Messi assumed captaincy of Barcelona in 2018, and won a record sixth Ballon d'Or in 2019. [619][620] On Messi's economic impact on the city in which he plays, Terry Gibson called him a "tourist attraction". The following two seasons, Messi finished second for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo (his perceived career rival), before regaining his best form during the 201415 campaign, becoming the all-time top scorer in La Liga and leading Barcelona to a historic second treble, after which he was awarded a fifth Ballon d'Or in 2015. Rejected deals . It was no certainly . [465] Argentina progressed to the second round as group runners-up behind Croatia. [580] Pundits and fans regularly argue the individual merits of both players. But the advantage I have is that I'm second to an extraterrestrial. [591] Forbes ranked him the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019. Messi, 34, helped . Luka Modric (2018) Content Summary #5. Lionel Messi won the men's award for a record sixth time in his career. Matthias Sammer (1996) #1. [385] Back home, Pkerman's decision to leave him on the bench against Germany led to widespread criticism from those who believed Messi could have changed the outcome of the match in Argentina's favour. Answer (1 of 8): Following are some of the stats and facts of Lionel Messi from the last season which no one bats an eye on. [41] His breakthrough came two months later, on 24 August, during the Joan Gamper Trophy, Barcelona's pre-season competition. . Music: Lorne Balfe - The Exchange, Lorne Balfe - Escape Through Pari. News . He reset the record for most goals scored in one LaLiga season (50) which Cristiano had broken the previous season. In 2012, Messi and Cristiano were back in Zurich but this time, it was a little closer. In the second leg against PSG, with an underperforming Barcelona down a goal, Messi came off the bench in the second half and within nine minutes helped create their game-tying goal, which allowed them to progress to the semi-finals. No, the club is bigger than any manager, than any player except Leo. ", "Barcelona Transform Their Season from Trouble to a Possible Treble", "Motivated Lionel Messi Transforms Barcelona's Hopes for Trophy Treble", "Barcelona Increasingly Gaining Messi Independence (and It's a Good Thing)", "Barcelona's Luis Surez, Leo Messi and Neymar Too Good for Juventus", "Barcelona Win La Liga: Lionel Messi Strike Sees Barca Clinch 23rd Title at Home of Reigning Champions Atletico Madrid", "Supporters, Superstars and Goals Galore", "Spanish Primera Divisin Statistics: Top Assists 201415", "Messi Tambin Es Leyenda en el Ranking Histrico de Asistencias", "Treble Comes into Focus as Messi Marches Barcelona to Copa Title", "If Lionel Messi Makes Pep Guardiola Feel Helpless, What Chance Do the Rest Have? [634], "Leo is not shy. [299] On 20 October, Messi scored a penalty in a 51 home victory against Ferencvros in the Champions League, becoming the first player in history to score in sixteen consecutive Champions League seasons. Messi, who has enjoyed scintillating form this campaign, was at the centre of it all. Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player for a record sixth time. 29 November 2021 Football 2563. Suspended: 0, Valencia were 2-0 up inside 33 minutes at the Benito Villamarin thanks to goals from Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo, and while 31-year-old Messi pulled one back, it wasn't enough. "[439] Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said after the match, "My generation can't compare him to Maradona that's for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine football. Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: World Cup stats. Barcelona may have lost out to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals, but Messi still finished as the competitions top goalscorer with 12 goals in 10 matches. Messi collected the ball on the right side near the halfway line, ran 60 metres (66yd), and beat five defenders before scoring with an angled finish, just as Maradona had done. While at Barcelona he lived in Castelldefels, a village near Barcelona. [319] The club cited financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi's departure. [378][397] During that game, played on 28 March 2009, he wore Argentina's number 10 shirt for the first time, following the international retirement of Riquelme. [527][528], A prolific goalscorer, Messi is known for his finishing, positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to beat the defensive line. In some ways it was a fruitful season for Barcelona, they claimed their 26th LaLiga title and were runners-up in the Copa but they squandered a three-goal lead to Liverpool and were dumped out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage. Messi went ahead of Ronaldo in the Ballon d'Or stakes when he won his . [11] At the age of four he joined local club Grandoli, where he was coached by his father, though his earliest influence as a player came from his maternal grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches. [278] On 14 June, he scored in a 40 away win against Mallorca, becoming the first player ever in La Liga to score 20 goals or more in 12 consecutive seasons. [41][51], Due to issues regarding his legal status in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Messi missed the start of La Liga, but on 26 September, he acquired Spanish citizenship and became eligible to play. [557] In the following years, this opinion gained greater acceptance among pundits, managers, former and current players,[115][558] and by the end of Bara's second treble-winning season, the view of Messi as one of the greatest footballers of all time had become the apparent view among many fans and pundits in continental Europe. [209] Three days later, he scored two goals as Barcelona won 62 against Real Betis in the opening game of the 201617 La Liga season. [245] On 20 October, Messi scored in a 42 home win over Sevilla, but was later forced off in the 26th minute after falling awkwardly and injuring his right arm; tests later confirmed that he had fractured his radial bone, ruling him out for approximately three weeks. [211] He marked his return with a goal, scoring three minutes after coming off the bench in a 40 home win over Deportivo de La Corua, on 16 October. [593] In 2020, Messi became the second footballer, as well as the second athlete in a team sport, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to surpass $1billion in earnings during their careers. [369] He confirmed that other European clubs approached him, but that Barcelona was the only European team he wanted to play for. He finished second in the Golden Boot race with seven goals in seven games, one behind Mbapp. Messi, who won the Pichichi trophy and the European Golden Shoe recently, boasts of having netted 51 goals and tallied 19 assists in all competitions and is far ahead of the 2018 Ballon d'Or top three players this campaign. [340] Messi finished his debut season with 11 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. [510] With his appearance and two goals in the final, Messi overtook Matthas as the player with most appearances at the World Cup (26), and Pel as the player with most direct goal contributions at the World Cup (21 13 goals and 8 assists).