Lionel Messi (1987 – ) Argentinian footballer

Lionel Messi is a professional football player who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentina national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and has been ranked as the world's best men's player six times by France Football.

Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 24, 1987. He began playing football at a young age and showed great promise. However, he was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) at the age of 10. This meant that he would need expensive treatment that his family could not afford.

Fortunately, Messi was spotted by talent scouts from Barcelona, who offered to pay for his treatment and bring him to Spain to play for their youth team. Messi accepted the offer and moved to Barcelona in 2000.

Messi quickly rose through the ranks of Barcelona's youth system and made his first-team debut in 2003. He has since gone on to win a record 35 trophies with Barcelona, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles. He has also won the Ballon d'Or award a record seven times.

Messi has also been a key player for the Argentina national team. He has won the FIFA World Youth Championship with Argentina in 2005 and the Copa América in 2022. He was also the captain of the Argentina team that reached the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Messi is a diminutive player, but he is incredibly skillful and has a low center of gravity. He is also a prolific goalscorer, with over 700 goals for club and country. He is known for his dribbling skills, his passing ability, and his ability to score goals from all over the pitch.

Messi is a global icon and is one of the most popular athletes in the world. He is also a role model for many young players and is an inspiration to people all over the world.

Here are some of the reasons why Lionel Messi is still remembered and admired today:

• His talent: Messi is one of the most naturally gifted footballers of all time.
• His achievements: Messi has won a record number of trophies and individual awards.
• His impact: Messi has had a huge impact on the game of football and has inspired millions of people around the world.

Lionel Messi is a truly remarkable athlete and a global icon. He is one of the greatest footballers of all time and his legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.