Something special happened in Rosario back in 1987, on June 24; that was the birth of Lionel Andres Messi, Argentina’s current captain and FC Barcelona’s number 10 icon. In May 2014, he became world football’s highest paid player thanks to a £16.3M-a-year contract.
La Pulga started his youth career in 1995 with Newell’s Old Boys before moving to La Masia in 2000 to treat a Human Growth Hormone disorder and transform into the greatest player Barcelona has ever produced. From the C and B sides and into the senior side, Lionel Messi never failed to impress with his distinctive ability to keep the ball at his feet and go past the toughest defenders.
Messi has often been criticized by hard-core Argentine fans for failing to emulate Diego Maradona’s achievements in the senior national team.
However, his influence was indisputable on the road to Brazil. His 10 goals powered Argentina straight into the finals with the first spot in CONMEBOL’s nine-team table. The 2014 FIFA World Cup may just be La Pulga’s moment to take the world by storm with the Albiceleste’s colours!
Lionel Messi seated among some of his countless individual and collective prizes
The 2013/14 season was a rather strange one for the Blaugrana forward who is used to lifting trophies every year. He suffered a nasty injury in 2013 and was forced to stay out of action for two months. Lionel Messi still managed to finish second in the Pichichi race with 28 goals.
FINAL STATS ― Messi was involved in 55 goals during his 46 games for Barcelona this season pic.twitter.com/CUYLMJeyrT
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) May 19, 2014
In his entire career, Lionel Messi has broken hundreds of records. Some of his greatest individual achievements include:
• Five LFP Best Player awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
• Four Ballon d’Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
• Four Champions League Top Goalscorer awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
• Three European Golden Shoes (2010, 2012, 2013)
• Three Pichichi trophies (2010, 2012, 2013)
• Two FIFA Club World Cup Golden Balls (2009, 2011)
• The 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament & Top Goalscorer award
The rise to greatness: Messi honoured at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Messi led Argentina to glory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
No player has won as many Ballon d'Or awards as Messi
Things you need to know about Lionel Messi – Watch this documentary:
