Lionel Messi is an Argentinian footballer who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He also serves as the captain of Argentina’s national team. He has scored a significant number of goals throughout his career. As well as being a successful athlete, he has also dedicated his life to charity work.
Career highlights
Lionel Messi has been a star for nearly two decades, having accumulated many remarkable achievements on the field. He is known for his impressive ball control and his mesmerizing style of play.
One of the most notable achievements of his career was his performance in the Champions League final. In a game against Bayer Leverkusen, he scored five goals. That is a record for any player in the history of the Champions League.
His international performances have also earned him awards. At the age of 18, he signed a professional contract with Barcelona. He joined the youth team aged 13.
Messi has won three FIFA Club World Cups, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions Leagues. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the history of soccer.
Family life
Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, have three kids. The couple first met as children growing up in Rosario, Argentina. They are currently married and have been together for over a decade. Their sons have already become burgeoning soccer stars.
Leo Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1987. He has Italian ancestry from his mother’s side. His grandfather is from the north-central Adriatic Marche region of Italy. During his childhood, he lived with his father and elder brother. Eventually, he moved to Spain and enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Messi’s eldest brother, Rodrigo, is a professional footballer. His sister, Maria Sol, works in her brother’s store. Her other job is as a part-time cleaner.
Passion for charity work
Lionel Messi’s philanthropic work is incredible. He’s involved with several campaigns and donates his earnings to help disadvantaged children. Here are a few examples of the star’s charitable efforts.
In 2010, Messi was appointed as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador. As part of the role, he visits regions in need of aid. For instance, he visited Haiti after the earthquake that hit the country. At the time, Argentinian troops were stationed there as a part of the UN Stabilisation Mission. As a result, the Argentinian army and football players helped run hospitals there.
Leo Messi founded the Leo Messi Foundation, a charitable organization that helps support vulnerable children. This organization provides health care, education, and opportunities for sports. It has assisted with various social disadvantages such as poverty, disease, and malnutrition.
World cup goals were scored.
Lionel Messi is an iconic footballer who has enjoyed a phenomenal career. The Argentinian talisman has won La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, and the World Cup. In the past 18 years, he has scored over 750 goals and has been voted the best player. He has also recorded seven assists in five World Cups.
Messi has been the standout performer in Argentina’s recent World Cup tournament. He started the tournament as a slight underdog and was a crucial component of the side’s final victory.
After a shaky start, the side dominated the game for 60 minutes, taking a 1-0 lead in the first half. After that, however, the team failed to score a goal during the tournament’s knockout stage.
Partnership with Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o
In the UEFA Champions League final, Samuel Eto’o played an essential role in the Barcelona attack. He was one of the three forwards to score in the 4-0 victory over Bayern Munich. His header was a sensational goal.
Eto’o joined Barcelona from Mallorca in 2004. During his two years with the club, he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. As a result, he became the first player to win back-to-back trebles with different teams.
He is a prolific goalscorer, scoring over 100 goals in all competitions. His achievements have earned him worldwide recognition. Moreover, he is a vital member of the Cameroonian national team.
Ending his career with Argentina
According to some, Lionel Messi is the greatest football player of all time. And he might not have the World Cup title yet. But he has won more trophies than any other player in the sport’s history.
Messi’s career has been a long one. He has played in seven World Cups, won a total of 10 La Liga titles, and is a UEFA Champions League finalist. He is also a four-time FIFA World Player of the Year. However, despite the gaudy stats, his success has been hampered by injuries.
Amid a financial crisis, Messi’s parents left Argentina for Spain. But the move was short-lived. Later, they returned.