History of Lionel Messi in Timeline

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He holds numerous records, including most Ballon d'Or awards (8), European Golden Shoes (6), and FIFA World Player of the Year awards (8). Messi spent most of his career with Barcelona, winning 34 trophies, before joining Inter Miami in 2023. He also led Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Known for his prolific goalscoring and playmaking, Messi holds various records for goals and assists, including most goals in La Liga and most international goals by a South American male.

1978: César Menotti's World Cup Victory as Manager

César Menotti's win as Argentina's manager in the 1978 World Cup is mentioned in the context of comparing Messi's playing style to Maradona's.

1986: Diego Maradona's World Cup Victory

This year marks Diego Maradona's iconic World Cup victory, a significant event used as a benchmark for Messi's career.

June 1987: Birth of Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi was born in June 1987 in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina, to Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini.

1996: Equaling Ronaldo's Scoring Record

Messi's exceptional scoring ability was evident when he equaled Ronaldo's club record of 47 goals in all competitions, set during the 1996-1997 season.

September 2000: Messi's Trial with Barcelona

Messi's family arranged for him to have a trial with Barcelona in September 2000.

February 2001: Messi's Family Relocates to Barcelona

To facilitate Messi's burgeoning career at Barcelona, his family made the significant move to Barcelona in February 2001.

February 2002: Enrolled in Royal Spanish Football Federation

In February 2002, after a year at Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, Messi was enrolled in the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), marking a significant step in his burgeoning football career.

November 2003: First-Team Debut

At the young age of 16, Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona as a substitute during a friendly match against Porto in November 2003.

October 2004: Messi's Professional Debut

At the age of 17, Lionel Messi made his professional debut for Barcelona in October 2004.

October 2004: League Debut

Messi's league debut for Barcelona took place in October 2004 when he played against Espanyol under manager Frank Rijkaard.

2004: Messi Begins Charitable Work with UNICEF

Lionel Messi began contributing to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 2004, marking the start of his commitment to charitable efforts focused on vulnerable children.

May 2005: First Senior Goal

May 2005 marked a momentous occasion as Messi scored his first senior goal for Barcelona against Albacete, assisted by Ronaldinho.

2005: Messi's Youth World Cup Win and Senior Debut

Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Youth Championship and made his senior national team debut in 2005.

2005: Ronaldinho Acknowledges Messi's Brilliance

Ronaldinho, the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner, humbly acknowledged Messi's exceptional talent, stating that he wasn't even the best player at Barcelona, recognizing his teammate's extraordinary abilities.

February 2006: Diego Maradona Recognizes Messi as Successor

In February 2006, football legend Diego Maradona publicly acknowledged 18-year-old Lionel Messi as his successor, recognizing his extraordinary talent and potential.

2006: Champions League Triumph

Despite being sidelined due to injury, Messi celebrated his first Champions League trophy win with Barcelona in 2006.

2006: Youngest Argentine to Play and Score in a World Cup

Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup at the 2006 tournament.

2006: Adidas Endorsement

Messi signed an endorsement deal with sportswear giant Adidas in 2006.

2006: Adidas Secures Messi's Sponsorship

This year marked the beginning of Messi's long-term partnership with Adidas, a move that would see him become a global icon for the brand.

March 2007: First El Clásico Hat-trick

Messi achieved a remarkable feat in March 2007 by scoring his first hat-trick in an El Clásico match against Real Madrid, a testament to his extraordinary talent.

2007: Messi Founds the Leo Messi Foundation

In 2007, inspired by a visit to a hospital for terminally ill children, Lionel Messi founded the Leo Messi Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting children's access to healthcare, education, and sports.

2007: Start of Tax Evasion Period

Messi's financial affairs came under investigation for using offshore companies to evade taxes on sponsorship earnings from 2007.

2008: Messi Becomes Adidas' Leading Brand Endorser

From this year, Messi's partnership with Adidas grew stronger, establishing him as their leading brand endorser and leading to the creation of signature products.

2008: First Treble for Barcelona and First Ballon d'Or for Messi

In 2008, Messi helped Barcelona achieve their first treble in Spanish football, a historic feat. At age 22, he also won his first Ballon d'Or award.

2008: Messi Begins Relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo

Lionel Messi began dating Antonela Roccuzzo, whom he had known since childhood, in 2008.

2008: Olympic Gold for Messi

Messi won a gold medal with Argentina at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

2008: Iconic Number 10 Shirt

Messi's legacy at Barcelona was further solidified in 2008 when he was bestowed with the iconic number 10 shirt.

2008: Messi Becomes Barcelona's Highest-Paid Player

Starting this year, Messi became Barcelona's highest-paid player, with his salary steadily increasing over the next five years, reflecting his growing importance to the club.

2008: Beginning of Messi and Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or Dominance

This year marks the start of a period where Messi and Ronaldo consistently won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, solidifying their status as two of the greatest footballers.

January 2009: Messi Confirms Relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo

Lionel Messi publicly confirmed his relationship with Antonela Roccuzzo, his childhood friend's cousin, in an interview in January 2009.

May 2009: First Copa del Rey and Sextuple Glory

May 2009 was a month of triumph for Messi and Barcelona, winning the Copa del Rey and achieving an unprecedented sextuple, claiming six major titles in a calendar year.

August 2009: Guardiola Hails Messi as Best Ever

In August 2009, Pep Guardiola, Messi's manager at Barcelona, made a bold statement by declaring him the best player he had ever witnessed, sparking debates about Messi's place in football history.

2009: Messi's Reign as Highest-Paid Footballer

From 2009 to 2014, Messi was ranked as the world's highest-paid footballer for five out of six years.

2009: The Start of Regular "El Clasico" clashes

From this year onwards, Messi and Ronaldo faced each other at least twice every season in the highly anticipated "El Clasico" matches, intensifying their rivalry on the field.

2009: End of Tax Evasion Period

Messi's use of offshore companies to evade taxes on sponsorship earnings lasted until 2009.

2009: Messi Graces the Cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

This year marked Messi's first appearance on the cover of Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer video game series, signifying his growing influence in the world of sports gaming.

March 2010: Messi Becomes UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Lionel Messi was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in March 2010, marking the beginning of his formal association with the organization.

2010: Expansion of Messi's Endorsement Portfolio

From this year onwards, Messi's endorsement portfolio expanded to include luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Audemars Piguet, reflecting his growing global appeal beyond sportswear.

2010: European Golden Shoe and Continued Dominance

Messi's dominance continued in 2010 as he secured the European Golden Shoe and played a key role in Barcelona's La Liga and Champions League victories.

2010: Messi's Marketability Soars

Since this year, Messi's marketability has consistently been recognized by SportsPro, cementing his status as one of the world's most marketable athletes.

April 2011: Messi's Facebook Page Gains Millions of Followers

In April 2011, Lionel Messi launched his Facebook page, which gained nearly seven million followers within seven hours.

2011: Setting Records in La Liga

Messi set La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season in 2011.

2011: Messi Named Captain of Argentina

Messi was appointed captain of the Argentina national team in 2011.

2011: Time Recognizes Messi's Global Influence

Messi was recognized for his global influence when he was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011.

2011: FIFA Ballon d'Or and UEFA Best Player

Messi's exceptional performances throughout 2011 earned him the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or and the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, solidifying his position as one of the world's best.

2011: Messi Continues to Feature on Pro Evolution Soccer Covers

Messi's presence on the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer continued, further solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the video game franchise.

June 2012: Messi Announces First Pregnancy

Lionel Messi announced his partner, Antonela Roccuzzo's, first pregnancy in June 2012 after scoring a goal in a match against Ecuador.

November 2012: Birth of Thiago Messi

Thiago Messi, the first son of Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo, was born in Barcelona in November 2012.

2012: Record-Breaking Goalscoring Feats and Fourth Ballon d'Or

2012 was another historic year for Messi, breaking numerous goalscoring records, including becoming Barcelona's all-time top scorer and surpassing Gerd Müller's record for most goals in a calendar year. His incredible achievements culminated in a record fourth FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

2012: Panama Papers Shell Company

A shell company in Panama set up in 2012 and linked to the Messis was revealed in the Panama Papers leak.

2012: Messi's Relationship with Newell's Old Boys Improves

Despite a strained relationship after his transfer to Barcelona, Lionel Messi saw a reconciliation with his boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys, in 2012, with the club even issuing a membership card to Messi's newborn son.

2012: Messi Makes Time 100 List

Lionel Messi was named one of the world's most influential people by Time magazine in 2012.

2012: Madame Tussauds Unveils Messi Wax Figure

Madame Tussauds unveiled their first wax sculpture of Lionel Messi at Wembley Stadium in 2012.

2012: Funding Newell's Old Boys' Youth Academy

Messi funded the construction of a gymnasium and dormitory for Newell's Old Boys' youth academy in 2012.

2012: Another Recognition from Time

Messi was once again included in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2012.

August 2013: Voluntary Tax Payment

In August 2013, Messi voluntarily paid €5.1 million in back taxes related to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009.

October 2013: Jorge Valdano compares Messi to Maradona

In October 2013, Jorge Valdano, a former Argentine player and 1986 World Cup winner, stated that Messi is like having Maradona every day, emphasizing Messi's consistent brilliance.

November 2013: Messi and Thiago Participate in UNICEF Campaign

To celebrate his son Thiago's first birthday in November 2013, Lionel Messi and his son participated in a UNICEF campaign aimed at raising awareness about child mortality rates among disadvantaged children.

2013: Messi's Turkish Airlines Ad Becomes YouTube Sensation

A Turkish Airlines advertisement featuring Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant in a selfie competition became the most-watched ad on YouTube in 2013, garnering 137 million views and being voted the best advertisement of the 2005–15 decade.

2013: Gold Replica of Messi's Foot Auctioned for Charity

A gold replica of Lionel Messi's left foot, weighing 25 kg and valued at $5.3 million, was put up for sale in Japan in 2013 to raise funds for the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

2013: Messi's Earnings Soar Past €40 Million

In 2013, Messi became the first footballer to earn more than €40 million, marking a significant financial milestone in the sport.

2013: Support for Sarmiento Football Club

In 2013, Messi committed to financially supporting Sarmiento, a football club in his Rosario neighborhood, including refurbishment and all-weather pitches.

August 2014: "The Final Game" Photo Earns Accolades

A photograph titled "The Final Game," capturing Lionel Messi gazing at the World Cup trophy after Argentina's loss to Germany, was chosen as the best sports image of 2014 by World Press Photo.

August 2014: "Messi" Documentary Premieres

August 2014 saw the premiere of "Messi," a documentary film about Lionel Messi by filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, at the Venice Film Festival.

2014: Messi's Global Recognition

A 2014 survey across 15 international markets revealed that Lionel Messi was familiar to 87% of respondents worldwide, with 78% perceiving him favorably, making him the second-most recognized and most likable player globally.

2014: Argentina Reaches the World Cup Final

Argentina, led by Messi, reached the final of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 but lost to Germany.

2014: Messi Achieves Another Financial Milestone

By this year, Messi further cemented his status as the world's highest-paid footballer, surpassing the €50-€60 million mark with earnings of €65 million.

2014: Messi Becomes All-Time Top Scorer in La Liga

During the 2014-2015 season, Messi became the all-time top scorer in La Liga history, solidifying his place as a legend.

2014: Highest-Paid Footballer

From 2009 to 2014, Messi was ranked as the world's highest-paid footballer for five out of six years.

April 2015: Messi Announces Second Pregnancy

In April 2015, Lionel Messi announced that he and his partner, Antonela Roccuzzo, were expecting their second child.

2015: Argentina Loses Copa América Final

Argentina experienced defeat in the Copa América final in 2015.

2015: Messi Second Only to Ronaldo on Forbes' Highest-Paid Athletes List

In 2015-2016, Messi secured the second position on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, with an income of $81 million, trailing only behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

2015: Barcelona's Historic Second Treble

Messi led Barcelona to their second treble in 2015, an unprecedented achievement in Spanish football, and was awarded his fifth Ballon d'Or.

2015: Launch of the Adidas Messi Sub-Brand

Messi's influence with Adidas reached new heights as he became the first footballer with his own Adidas sub-brand of boots, the Adidas Messi, solidifying his legacy in the world of sportswear.

June 2016: Libel Case Win and Donation

In June 2016, Messi won a libel case against La Razón newspaper and donated the €65,000 damages to Médecins Sans Frontières.

July 2016: Tax Fraud Conviction

Messi and his father were found guilty of tax fraud in July 2016, receiving suspended 21-month prison sentences and fines.

November 2016: Paying National Team Staff Salaries

In November 2016, Messi paid the salaries of three Argentine national team security staff who hadn't been paid for six months.

2016: Another Copa América Final Defeat and Retirement Announcement

Messi led Argentina to the Copa América final once again in 2016, but they lost. Disappointed, Messi announced his retirement from international football.

June 2017: Messi Marries Antonela Roccuzzo

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo were married in a luxurious ceremony at the Hotel City Center in Rosario in June 2017.

October 2017: Messi Announces Third Pregnancy

Antonela Roccuzzo announced in October 2017 that she and Lionel Messi were expecting their third child.

2017: Messi Signs Lucrative Contract Extension with Barcelona

Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona, securing a staggering $667,000 weekly wage and a $60 million signing bonus, a testament to his unparalleled value to the club.

2017: Messi Sports the Latest Adidas Footwear

Since this year, Messi has been sporting the latest version of the Adidas Nemeziz boots, further solidifying his affiliation with the brand and showcasing their latest footwear innovations.

2017: The End of an Era: Messi and Ronaldo's Regular "El Clasico" Encounters

This year marked the end of Messi and Ronaldo's regular encounters in "El Clasico" matches, as Ronaldo moved from Real Madrid to Juventus.

2018: Messi Shatters Earning Records

Messi became the first footballer to earn over €100 million in a calendar year, setting a new benchmark for player salaries with €126 million ($154 million) from salary, bonuses, and endorsements.

2018: Messi Returns to International Football

Messi reversed his decision to retire from the national team and helped Argentina qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

2018: Messi Becomes Captain of Barcelona

Messi was appointed captain of Barcelona in 2018.

2019: Messi Reveals River Plate's Offer

In 2019, Messi disclosed that River Plate had offered to cover his medical expenses when he was young but ultimately decided not to sign him.

2019: Sixth Ballon d'Or for Messi

Messi won a record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or award in 2019.

2019: Messi Crowned World's Highest-Paid Athlete

Messi's exceptional earnings in 2019 propelled him to the top of Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, further solidifying his global brand power and financial success.

2019: Forbes Names Messi the Highest-Paid Athlete

Messi's exceptional earnings, including endorsements, led Forbes to rank him as the world's highest-paid athlete in 2019.

2019: Shift in Public Perception of Messi in Argentina

Prior to 2019, Messi was held in lower regard than Maradona by some Argentines due to perceived inconsistent national team performance, reserved personality, and development overseas. However, in 2019, Messi's efforts to be "more Argentine" and his passionate displays started to shift public opinion.

2020: Messi Returns to Pro Evolution Soccer Cover for PES 2020

After a hiatus, Messi returned to grace the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 2020, marking another significant moment in his long-standing partnership with Konami.

2020: Donations and Salary Cut During Coronavirus Pandemic

In 2020, Messi donated €1 million to fight coronavirus in Barcelona and Argentina. He and his Barcelona teammates also took a 70% salary cut to support the club's employees.

2020: Messi Joins the Billion Dollar Club

In a historic milestone, Messi became the second footballer and team-sport athlete, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to surpass $1 billion in career earnings, solidifying his place as one of the wealthiest athletes ever.

2020: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Ballon d'Or Dream Team

Messi achieved significant recognition in 2020 by being named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and being selected for the Ballon d'Or Dream Team.

February 2021: Shoe Donation for Charity Auction

Messi donated his Adidas shoes, worn when he broke Pelé's record for most goals for a single club, to Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in February 2021. They were auctioned for charity in April.

June 2021: Messi Becomes Hard Rock Cafe Ambassador

In June 2021, Lionel Messi signed a five-year deal to become a global brand ambassador for Hard Rock Cafe, expressing that "sports and music are an integral part of my life."

August 2021: Messi Signs with PSG

After leaving Barcelona, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021.

2021: Shirt Donation for Vaccines

Before the 2021 Copa América, Messi donated signed shirts to Sinovac Biotech to secure 50,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses for South American players.

2021: Messi Leaves Barcelona and Joins PSG

In 2021, Messi ended his long-term relationship with Barcelona and signed with French club Paris Saint-Germain.

2021: Argentina Wins Copa América

Messi finally won a major international trophy with Argentina, leading them to victory in the Copa América in 2021.

2021: Copa América Victory Solidifies Legacy

Messi's long-awaited international trophy arrived in 2021 with Argentina's victory in the Copa América, silencing critics and further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

May 2022: Messi's Saudi Arabia Tourism Ambassadorship Sparks Controversy

Lionel Messi faced criticism in May 2022 after being named Saudi Arabia's tourism ambassador due to concerns over the country's human rights record.

December 2022: Messi's World Cup Celebration Breaks Instagram Record

Lionel Messi's World Cup celebration post from December 2022 became the most liked post on Instagram, garnering over 70 million likes.

2022: Messi's Jersey Sales Skyrocket During World Cup

Adidas experienced a global sell-out of Messi's No.10 Argentina jerseys during the 2022 World Cup, highlighting his immense global appeal and marketability.

2022: Messi Leads Argentina to World Cup Glory, Settling the Debate for Some

Following Argentina's triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup under Messi's captaincy, numerous experts and fans believe that he has surpassed Ronaldo in the long-standing debate of who is the better player.

2022: Messi's World Cup Victory Shifts Perception

Following his leadership and Argentina's victory in the 2022 World Cup, Messi's standing in Argentina is said to have reached the same level as Maradona's among his compatriots.

2022: Argentina Wins the World Cup

In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup, a long-awaited triumph for him and his home country.

2022: World Cup Victory and Records Broken

Messi achieved his ultimate dream in 2022 by leading Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup. He also won the Golden Ball, scored in the final, and broke the record for most games played in the World Cup.

2022: Messi Again Ranked Highest-Paid Athlete

Messi's remarkable earnings led to him being named the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2022.

April 2023: Messi Featured in India's Thrissur Pooram Festival

Lionel Messi was featured in the 200-year-old Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala, India, in April 2023, where illuminated cutouts of him holding the World Cup trophy were displayed on caparisoned elephants.

July 2023: Messi's Social Media Dominance

By July 2023, Lionel Messi had amassed over 114 million followers on Facebook, making him the second most followed sportsperson on the platform after Cristiano Ronaldo.