Get to know Lionel Messi as England face Argentine legend at World Cup semi-finals
He’s been called the best football player in history – but how much do you really know about Lionel Messi? We give you the facts on the Argentine powerhouse
Lionel Messi has already won one World Cup – in Qatar in 2022(Image: Getty Images)
England’s footballers are preparing to face Lionel Messi for the very first time, as they take on Argentina in the World Cup semi-final tonight.
But how much do you know about the team’s 39-year-old forward and captain, who has been dubbed the world’s best ever player? Here James Moore reveals fifteen fascinating facts…
1. Born Lionel Andrés Messi, on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, he was named after US crooner Lionel Richie, a favourite of his mum, factory worker Celia.
2. His dad, Jorge, was a steel worker who later became his agent. As a boy ‘Leo’, who has three siblings, used to sleep with a football.
Lionel Messi aged 18 in Buenos Aires, Argentina(Image: Getty Images)
3. Aged four he started playing for a team coached by his dad, before going on to score 500 goals for the youth side of Newell’s Old Boys.
4. As a ten-year-old he was diagnosed with a hormone growth deficiency and had to have regular injections. Now 5ft7in, the star was nicknamed ‘The Flea’.
5. His footballing skills saw Messi snapped up by Spanish club Barcelona at 13, with his initial contract signed on a paper napkin. It sold for £760,000 at auction in 2024.
6. Debuting at 17, he’d score a record 474 goals in La Liga. He’s played for Paris St Germain and now skipper’s Inter Miami. Messi’s so far won 46 team trophies and eight Ballons D’Or.
7. He was sent off in less than a minute when he made his debut for Argentina in a game against Hungary in 2005, but has since scored a record 125 goals for his country.
8. This is his sixth World Cup. With 512million followers a photo of the star celebrating his World Cup win with Argentina in 2022 is Instagram’s most-liked post.
Lionel with wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia(Image: Saudi Tourism Authority/AFP via)
9. A billionaire, with a basic £18million salary, he has deals with brands like Budweiser and owns a hotel chain.
10. He has a £23million property empire including a mansion in his hometown dubbed The Fortress. Cars include a £28million Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti.
11. The star’s married to childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo. They have three sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
12. With 18 tattoos, his body art includes an eye tribute to his wife on his left arm and lips on his hip. He also has a portrait of his mum on his back.
13. When he scores a goal Messi points to the sky in memory of his late grandmother, also called Celia.
14. He has a huge 110lbs pet dog called Hulk, a French breed called Dogue de Bordeaux. His hobbies include playing video and card games.
15. Messi used to vomit during matches until ditching chocolate and fizzy drinks for a healthier diet. He likes a breaded chicken cutlet for dinner and drinks bitter yerba mate tea.
