When you think of football superstars, Lionel Messi is likely the first name that comes to mind. The Argentine legend has been dominating the sport for 18 years now – at both domestic and international level.
How old is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi will be 35 years old after celebrating his latest birthday on June 24, 2022.
Lionel Messi’s career at Barcelona, Argentina and PSG
Lionel Messi began his career at the academy of Newell’s Old Boys before moving across to Barcelona’s famous La Masia at the age of 13.
At 16 years, four months and 23 days, Messi made his debut for the Barcelona senior team during a friendly against Jose Mourinho’s Porto in November 2003.
His senior professional debut came at 17 years, three months and 22 days old as an 82nd minute substitute in a La Liga match against Espanyol in October 2004 – becoming the youngest player, at the time, to ever represent Barcelona in official competition.
Messi went on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances for the Catalans from 2004 until 2021.
With Barcelona, he won four Champions Leagues, 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys, seven Supercopa de Espanas, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups.
At the end of the the 2021 season, Messi moved on a free transfer to PSG, where he won the Ligue 1 title with the Paris giants in his first campaign at the club.
For his national team Argentina, Messi has 86 goals in his 162 caps, winning the Copa America in 2021, a runner-up at the 2014 World Cup, while he lifted the Finalissima trophy recently after victory against Italy.
How many Ballon d’Ors has Lionel Messi won?
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or – football’s most recognised individual award – on seven occasions throughout his career. He has lifted the trophy the most times in history, with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo winning the honour five times. Messi is the current holder of the Ballon d’Or, having won it in 2021, while he also clinched it in 2019, with the 2020 version not held because of COVID-19. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Is Lionel Messi playing at the Qatar 2022 World Cup?
Lionel Messi will lead out Argentina at the Qatar 2022 World Cup – if he is fit and selected for the tournament that begins on November 21.
It will likely be the last time he competes at football’s showpiece event with the next edition to held in 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico – with Messi to turn 39 during that event.
