| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini |
| Birthday: | June 24, 1987 (age 38 years), Born in Rosario, Argentina |
| Height: | 5'7" (170 cm) |
| Education: | Escuela Primaria N° 66 “Gral. Las Heras” (Primary School) Leon XIII School (Secondary School) No College |
| Subscribers: | 4.41M |
| Views: | 67,933,489 |
| YouTube Revenue: | $67.9K - $475.5K |
| Videos: | 207 |
| Channel Created: | January 2006 |
Overview
Messi is an Argentine professional football player, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, celebrated for his record-breaking goalscoring career primarily with FC Barcelona, leading Argentina to the 2021 Copa América and 2022 FIFA World Cup titles, and playing for Inter Miami.
Latest News (Jan 26, 2026): Lionel Messi recently played 63 minutes in Inter Miami's preseason opener against Alianza Lima in Peru on January 24, 2026, a match that ended in a 3-0 loss for Inter Miami. Additionally, Germán Berterame commented on reports linking him to a potential $15 million transfer to Inter Miami, where he would join Messi as a Designated Player.
Early Life and Family
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, to Jorge Messi, a steel factory manager, and Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. He is the third of four children and grew up in a close-knit, football-loving family. From a young age, he displayed a passion for the sport, playing constantly with his older brothers, Rodrigo and Matías, and his cousins.
At the age of four, he joined the local club Grandoli, where his father coached him. His maternal grandmother, Celia, who often accompanied him to training and matches, was an early influence. In 1995, he began playing for Newell’s Old Boys, a club based in his hometown of Rosario. During his six years with the youth team, he was a prolific goalscorer and part of a nearly unbeatable youth side known as “The Machine of ’87,” named for their birth year.
At the age of 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. While his parents began the expensive treatment, they could not afford to sustain it long-term, and Newell’s Old Boys was unable to cover the full cost.
Move to Barcelona and Youth Career
At 13, an opportunity arose for a trial with FC Barcelona. The club’s sporting director, Carles Rexach, was immediately impressed by his talent and, in a now-famous story, a commitment to sign him was made on a paper napkin as no official contract was on hand. FC Barcelona agreed to fund his growth hormone treatment, prompting the family to relocate to Spain in February 2001 to support his career.
Upon his arrival, Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini enrolled in Barcelona’s prestigious youth academy, La Masia. Initially, he faced challenges due to his reserved nature and homesickness, especially after his mother and siblings returned to Rosario for a time. After being officially registered with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in February 2002, he was able to play in all competitions and began to quickly progress through the club’s youth ranks, playing alongside future teammates like Cesc Fàbregas and Gerard Piqué.
Rise and Dominance at FC Barcelona
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini made his informal first-team debut at the age of 16 in a friendly match against Porto in November 2003. His official La Liga debut came on October 16, 2004, against Espanyol, making him the youngest player to represent the club in an official competition at the time. He scored his first senior goal on May 1, 2005, against Albacete.
By the 2008–09 season, he had established himself as an essential player for the club. In that season, he played a pivotal role in helping FC Barcelona achieve the first “treble” in Spanish football history, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. This success led to him winning his first of numerous Ballon d’Or awards.
Over his years at Barcelona, he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, breaking numerous records in the process. His individual accolades include a record number of Ballon d’Or awards and European Golden Shoes. He was central to one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning a multitude of trophies, including numerous La Liga titles and UEFA Champions League crowns. He holds records for the most goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012) and the most goals for a single club.
International Career and Later Club Career
Despite his success in Spain, Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini maintained strong ties to his home country, representing Argentina on the international stage. His international career began with a victory at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and an Olympic gold medal in 2008. For many years, major senior international trophies eluded him, with Argentina finishing as runners-up in multiple Copa América finals and the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.
He led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América, securing his first major international honor with the senior team and ending a long trophy drought for the country. This was followed by a victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he was named the tournament’s best player, receiving the Golden Ball for the second time in his career. He remains the Argentine national team’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player.
In August 2021, due to financial constraints at FC Barcelona, he signed with the French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). During his time with PSG, he won two Ligue 1 titles. In July 2023, he joined the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, where he continues to play.
Personal Life
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, whom he has known since they were children in Rosario. They married on June 30, 2017. The couple has three sons: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. He is known for valuing his family and maintaining close connections to his hometown. He also established the Leo Messi Foundation, which aims to help children in need.