Challenges in the Life of Lionel Messi in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Lionel Messi's life and career.

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely considered one of the greatest of all time. He captains both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. He holds records for individual awards, including eight Ballon d'Ors and six European Golden Shoes. In 2025, he was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS. He is the most decorated player in football history with 46 team trophies. Messi holds records for goals in a calendar year (91), goals for a single club, La Liga goals (474), international assists (61), World Cup goal contributions (21), and Copa América goal contributions (32). A prolific scorer and playmaker, he has over 890 senior career goals and 400 assists, totaling over 1,300 goal contributions, the most in football history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2007: Start of tax evasion period

Between 2007 and 2009, offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings.

2007: Barcelona goes trophyless

In 2019, Barcelona went trophyless for the first time since the 2007–08 season.

2009: End of tax evasion period

Between 2007 and 2009, offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings.

2011: Goalless Copa América

Ahead of the 2011 Copa América, Argentina began building their team around Messi. However, Messi was again goalless during the tournament but had three assists, with the team ultimately losing to Uruguay on penalties during the quarter-final.

2012: Establishment of shell company in Panama

In 2012, an unrelated shell company in Panama was set up and later identified as belonging to the Messis in the Panama Papers data leak.

August 2013: Voluntary payment of tax arrears

In August 2013, Messi voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1 million following an investigation into his financial affairs.

2014: Golden Ball at 2014 FIFA World Cup

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Messi and Argentina lost to Germany in the final, though Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament due to his overall performance with four goals and an assist.

2014: Argentina loses World Cup final

In 2014, Messi led Argentina to the World Cup final, which they lost.

2015: Loss to Chile on penalties in 2015 Copa América final

Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the 2015 Copa América final, where Messi reportedly rejected the Golden Ball award, having scored one goal and provided three assists.

2015: Argentina loses Copa America final

In 2015, Messi led Argentina to the Copa América final, which they lost.

July 2016: Guilty verdict for tax fraud

On July 6, 2016, Messi and his father were found guilty of tax fraud and were handed suspended 21-month prison sentences and ordered to pay fines.

2016: Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer

In the 2016 Copa América Centenario semi-final against the United States, a goal from Messi put him ahead of Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches. However, Argentina again fell to Chile on penalties in the final.

2018: Argentina's Loss to France

In 2018, Messi led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup, where they lost to France in the round of 16, with Messi having one goal and two assists in the tournament.

2019: Copa América third-place finish

In 2019, Messi again represented Argentina in the Copa América, where he registered only a single goal and assist. They lost to hosts Brazil in the semi-final but ended with a third-place finish after defeating Chile.

2020: Messi's desire to leave Barcelona

Following a disappointing season in 2020, Barcelona announced that Messi sent the club "a document expressing his desire to leave", but Messi ultimately decided to fulfill the final year of his contract.

May 2022: Tourism Ambassador for Saudi Arabia

In May 2022, Messi was unveiled as Saudi Arabia's tourism ambassador, which led to widespread criticism due to Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record.

February 2024: Controversy in Hong Kong Exhibition Match

In February 2024, during an exhibition match in Hong Kong, Messi remained on the bench the entire game, leading to backlash in Hong Kong and China. A Messi commercial was taken off air, and the Chinese Football Association temporarily halted its partnership with the Argentine Football Association.