⚽ Soccer · Forward

Lionel Messi

Argentina · 2004–present

Record eight Ballons d'Or, and a World Cup to finish the argument.

8
Ballons d'Or: 672
Barcelona goals: 190+
Argentina caps: 4
Champions League titles

Career

Messi moved to Barcelona at thirteen for growth-hormone treatment the club agreed to fund, and spent two decades there rewriting the record books. He is a left-footed dribbler who became one of the greatest passers in the game's history, and his 2022 World Cup win in Qatar removed the last line of criticism anyone had left.

Honours

World Cup winner and Golden Ball, 2022
Copa América winner, 2021 and 2024
Ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona
Most goals for a single club in the top five European leagues

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