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. Messi holds records for individual awards, including eight Ballon d'Or wins. He's the most decorated player in football history with 45 trophies, including Big Five league titles, UEFA Champions Leagues, Copa Américas, and a FIFA World Cup. Messi holds records for European Golden Shoes, goals in a year (91), goals for a single club, La Liga goals, hat-tricks, assists, Copa América assists, World Cup goal contributions, international appearances, and international goals for a South American male. He has over 850 career goals and over 380 assists.

Sections (6)

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

2005: Supercopa de España and La Liga Win

In 2005, Barcelona won the Supercopa de España without Messi. By the end of the 2005-06 season, the team won La Liga again as well as the UEFA Champions League, although Messi did not play in the final due to injury.

2007: Barcelona goes trophyless since 2007-08

In 2019, Messi would win his sixth Ballon d'Or, but the subsequent 2019–20 season saw Barcelona go trophyless for the first time since 2007–08.

2007: Start of tax evasion period

In the period between 2007 and 2009, offshore companies in tax havens were used to evade taxes related to sponsorship earnings.

2007: Trophy-less Season for Barcelona

The 2007-08 season finished trophyless for Barcelona, leading to Rijkaard's departure.

2009: End of tax evasion period

In the period between 2007 and 2009, offshore companies in tax havens were used to evade taxes related to sponsorship earnings.

2011: Copa América Quarter-Finals Loss

Ahead of the 2011 Copa América, Argentina began building their team around Messi. Messi was goalless during the tournament but had three assists. The team lost to Uruguay in penalties during the quarter-finals.

2012: Panama Papers data leak identified shell company

In 2012, a shell company in Panama was identified as belonging to the Messis in the Panama Papers data leak.

August 2013: Voluntarily paid tax arrears

In August 2013, Messi voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1 million related to tax evasion.

2014: FIFA World Cup Final Loss and Golden Ball Award

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

2014: Lost FIFA World Cup Final

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

2015: Copa América Final Loss

In 2015, Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the Copa América final. Messi reportedly rejected the Golden Ball award despite scoring one goal and providing three assists.

July 2016: Found guilty of 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: All-Time Leading Goalscorer and Copa América Centenario Loss

In the 2016 Copa América Centenario semi-final against the United States, Messi became Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches. Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the final, with Messi having five goals and four assists throughout the tournament.

2020: Desire to Leave Barcelona

Following a disappointing season, Barcelona announced that in 2020 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, Lionel Messi was unveiled as Saudi Arabia's tourism ambassador, which led to condemnation due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

February 2024: Backlash from Hong Kong Exhibition Game

During an exhibition match on February 4, 2024, Inter Miami faced off against the Hong Kong League players at Hong Kong Stadium. Messi remained on the bench the entire game, causing massive backlash in Hong Kong and China, leading to a Messi commercial being taken off air in those regions, and temporarily halting the Chinese Football Association's partnership with the Argentine Football Association on February 8.