Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés Messi born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for La Liga team Barcelona and the Argentine national team. Considered one of the best football players of his generation and frequently cited as the world's best contemporary player. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21 and won both by the age of 22. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to football legend Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".

Messi began playing football at a young age and his potential was quickly identified by Barcelona. He left Rosario-based Newell's Old Boys's youth team in 2000 and moved with his family to Europe, as Barcelona offered treatment for his growth hormone deficiency. Making his debut in the 2004–05 season, he broke the La Liga record for the youngest footballer to play a league game, and also the youngest to score a league goal.

Lionel Andres Messi
The Legend of Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi's 202 Goals for Barcelona in 12 Minutes

Goal PEDRO (Lionel MESSI) Barcelona vs Real Madrid 1-0

Changing old-age benefits fragile situation for government

Messing with public pensions is a minefield one would think most prime ministers would avoid if possible. One only has to look at Brian Mulroney's experience in 1985 when public backlash forced him to retreat from a plan to de-index old age pensions from inflation.

27/01/2012 16:06

Barcelona's Lionel Messi admits anguish over accusations of lack of passion for Argentina

The 24-year-old forward, who has spent half of his life living in Spain, insists that he loves his country and gives his all every time he lines up for the national team

27/01/2012 03:41

Never mind Messi or Naka Ibrahim wants to be Silva

NEW Bhoy Rabiu Ibrahim last night shrugged off comparisons with Lionel Messi, Jay Jay Okocha and Shunsuke Nakamura - and admitted he's inspired to be Celtic's David Silva.

26/01/2012 17:00

Messi makes the front cover of Time magazine

The world-renowned American magazine Time has picked FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi to feature on the cover of their February edition. The magazine will go on sale worldwide this Sunday, January 29th. It is the first time that a solitary ...

26/01/2012 12:08

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Jose Mourinho's Referee Talk Is Embarrassing

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho's talk about the referee following his club's exit of the Copa del Rey to rivals Barcelona in the quarterfinal on Wednesday was embarrassing and uncalled for.Per the BBC: In apparent criticism of the

26/01/2012 08:59

FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: What Is the Future for Jose Mourinho and Pepe?

  FC Barcelona going to the semifinals of La Copa del Rey will raise questions about the future of Jose Mourinho and Pepe in Real Madrid. Mourinho and Pepe have faced a lot of criticism since the incident of the hand-stomping of Messi.

26/01/2012 04:49

Barcelona survive thrilling Real Madrid comeback in Copa

Cristiano Ronaldo Barcelona Lionel Messi Real Madrid Sergio Ramos Barcelona managed to see off a co

25/01/2012 22:53

Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid Scores Moral Victory in El Clasico Draw vs Barcelona

It won't serve as much consolation to Jose Mourinho—whose Real Madrid team was once again thwarted by Barcelona with complete disregard for his status as "The Special One"—but this was a Clasico they should have won easily.Madrid was the better team Wednesday at Camp Nou. Not just for the frantic opening exchanges in which they should have scored at le

25/01/2012 22:52

FC Barcelona Fends off Real Madrid Offensive in Copa Del Rey 2nd Leg

Clásico contests between Real Madrid and Barcelona rarely disappoint, and the riveting encounter in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal was no exception. Real entered the Nou Camp facing the prospect of overturning a 2-1 disadvantage in the aggregate score on a pitch that haven’t won on since December of 2007.   The week that was betwee

25/01/2012 20:40

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Draw Proves Los Blancos Are on Right Track

Real Madrid fell just short of their goal in their El Clasico contest against Barcelona, but they proved they are ready to be the world's dominant team. This is in stark contrast to the perceptions of the club entering this match. They had just lost to Barcelona 1-2 in an El Classico contest, and faced a fit of controversy as the match ended. Not only were

25/01/2012 16:29

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Disastrous First Half Will Doom Real Madrid

Real Madrid came into today's rendition of El Clasico knowing they needed at least two goals against Barcelona to keep their hopes of advancing in the Copa del Rey alive.The match has just gone to the half, and now Real Madrid needs a miracle. Barcelona is leading 2-0.Things were quiet for much of the first half, but Barca absolutely exploded in the final minutes. Lionel Messi worked his wizardry to sneak a

25/01/2012 15:15

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Loss to Barca Should Fuel Changes at Real Madrid

At what point do you look across the pitch at your rival, take a deep breath and admit that they're just better than you are?If Barcelona beats Real Madrid again in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal this afternoon, it's probably time for Real Madrid to do just that. And once they've made that admissi

25/01/2012 11:09

Libya v Zambia – live!

25/01/2012 10:39

Real Madrid vs. Real Zaragoza: Full Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and More

Real Madrid is a heavy favorite in Saturday's La Liga clash against Real Zaragoza. Madrid leads rival Barcelona by five points as the season passes the halfway mark and will be looking to increase the lead with another win over Zaragoza, who they beat 6-0 earlier in the season. The Whites have used their dominant offens

25/01/2012 09:27

Can Real Madrid defeat Barcelona at the Nou Camp: A look back at when the Los Blancos did the unthinkable

As we look forward to the second leg of the Copa Del Rey quarterfinals, Goal.com goes back in time and lists down the last three occasions when Madrid beat Barca at the Camp Nou

25/01/2012 08:07

Real Madrid's Pepe escapes punishment over alleged stamp on Barcelona's Lionel Messi

The Spanish football federation's (RFEF) Competition Committee will take no action over the incident because there was no mention of it in the referee's report

25/01/2012 07:34

'Victims' Barcelona demanding justice over Pepe's allegedly deliberate stamp on Lionel Messi

The Catalans insist that they remain focused on Wednesday night's second leg but are still upset that the Portuguese defender has not been disciplined over the incident

25/01/2012 07:34

Pepe included in Real Madrid squad to face Barcelona

The Portugal international has made the roster for Wednesday evening´s Copa del Rey clash versus the Catalans at Camp Nou, despite his actions in the first leg

25/01/2012 05:10

Chelsea watching Pepe controversy at Real Madrid

Chelsea Barcelona Lionel Messi Real Madrid Chelsea are watching Pepe's situation at

25/01/2012 04:13

Javier Mascherano: Barcelona have the measure of Real Madrid

The Argentine midfielder believes the Catalans have the psychological edge ahead of Wednesday night's Clasico clash - as well as the world's best player, Messi, on their side

25/01/2012 02:23

Cristiano Ronaldo: An Example for Every Aspiring Footballer

While the bar has been raised every season by the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and company, one player that has been able to keep up is the Portuguese captain, Cristiano.Criticized for his lack of team effort, for his arrogance and gloating, the former Manchester United man has every reason to be proud of his achievements.While he struggles to shrug off the mighty Argentinian to the throne of World Footballer of the year,

25/01/2012 01:12

Barcelona players want Real Madrid to play Pepe in tonight's powderkeg

Barcelona Jose Mourinho Lionel Messi Real Madrid Barcelona players hope R

25/01/2012 00:57

Stalwarts, saints and a corner king

Didier Drogba stars alongside Iker Casillas, Lionel Messi and Francesco Totti in FIFA.com's latest stats review, which also features two goals direct from corners and a half completely devoid of fouls.

25/01/2012 00:52

Visitor's comments

Yes, Lionel Messi proved all the naysayers that he is number one. A thousand kisses and a million hugs for both goals!

Thank you god, what a wonderful way to win a game! I was so worried about the Arsenal game. I guess I should have trusted my all time favorite player in the whole world. Thank you Messi!
bob

Don’t bury Real Madrid yet. There is a long way to go before the league is over. If they can win the Copa del Rey, it will give them a push. They are just seven points behind Barcelona.
smit

It looks like Real and Barca will play each other in the Copa del Rey finals. It will be a chance for Messi to show that he can score in big games. My guess is 4-2 to Barca with Messi nailing two goals.
david

I don’t know about Maradona, but I think the next time Real Madrid and Barca will play It’s going to be Ronaldo’s turn. He will get revenge big time
ana , business card scanner

Will you guys just shut up? Messi is the best player ever! Maradona and Rolando suck! Using your hand to get the world cup is low. Messi would never do something like that.
nik

Give Maradona some respect, amigo. Messi has a long way to go before he will be as good as Maradona. Maradona took the world cup and Messi couldn’t even score one goal.
rojer , דם טבורי

I just got back from Spain and I saw Messi play there. He is just awesome! I think there was never a player quite like him and he is so young! He will break all the records and he is not crazy like Maradona.
eitan , הסרת שיער

You are not a true fan. It is not possible to like both Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is almost like a nationality, it is about loyalty and honor. Ronaldo sucks, his legs turned to jello when he played Messi in the El Classico.
rudi , בעלי מקצוע

Can you people stop with all the stupid who is better Ronaldo or Messi wars? They are two great players. I like both of them and that’s it. So cut it out, it is possible to be a fan of both of them.
margaret , Holy land tours

My friend, you need to go back to soccer school! There is no way Ronaldo is better. Messi is a team player, if he would play for himself, like Ronaldo does, he would score ten goals in every game. And just to remind you, Messi was chosen as player of the year for the second time in a row.
brad

Messi is my favorite soccer player because I like the way he plays , but I still think Ronaldo is better. If Ronaldo would play in Barcelona he would score twice as much. Don’t forget that Messi has Iniesta and Xavi.
jacki , הלוואות

I think he is definitely one of the best, but it’s hard to know if a part of his success in not related with the fact that he is playing for Barcelona. This is a special team with a lot of talent and you cannot separate his success with that of his team.
bil

There is no question in my mind that Messi is the best player in the world. I say that as someone who has been following professional football for many years.
anni

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Messi’s beautiful goal in the first semi final game against Real Madrid. It was a masterpiece of football.
eve

Yes, it was unbelievable. One of Messi’s and Barcelona’s best performances, they all rose to the occasion brilliantly.
dan

The moment when Messi scored the goal in the finals game was one of the happiest of my life. What a game and what a player!
rozi

Now that the Copa America is over, I can say that I am really disappointed by Messi’s performance. He should have found a way to do more.
bar

What a terrific beginning Messi is having for this season, both with Barcelona and with the Argentina national team. Let’s hope he will be able to keep it up.
jack , summer school