Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players of all time and a true living legend of the sport. With over 750 goals, 350 assists, 6 Ballon d’Or awards, and 34 trophies during his career so far, Messi has solidified his place as one of the most accomplished and decorated athletes in history. His global fame and popularity transcend soccer, making him one of the most recognizable sports figures around the world.
Introduction to Lionel Messi’s Incredible Career
Lionel Messi was born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. He joined Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, at age 13 and made his professional debut at 17. Since then, Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona, leading them to 34 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Champions League titles.
With over 750 goals and 350 assists for club and country, Messi holds the records for most goals for a single club (672) and most La Liga goals (474). He has won a record 6 Ballon d’Or awards for the world’s best player and 6 European Golden Shoes for most goals scored.
His individual achievements and Barcelona’s success have made Messi a global superstar. He has over 300 million social media followers and earn$127 million annually, making him both one of the world’s most popular and highest paid athletes.
Below is a detailed review of Lionel Messi’s living legend status, analyzing what makes him such an iconic and transformative soccer superstar.
Lionel Messi’s Record-Shattering Statistical Dominance
The sheer statistical dominance Lionel Messi has displayed over 15+ seasons is truly mind-boggling. He has produced outrageous goal and assist numbers year after year that are unmatched in soccer history.
All-Time Scoring Leader for Barcelona & La Liga
With 672 goals for Barcelona and 474 La Liga goals, Lionel Messi has scored more goals for a single club and in a domestic league than any other player.
- His 672 goals for Barcelona are over 300 more than the next highest scorer (César Rodríguez, 232).
- His 474 La Liga goals are over 150 ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in second place (311).
To put Messi’s records into perspective, the legendary Brazilian Ronaldo scored 352 total club goals in his entire career. Messi has scored 300+ more for just Barcelona alone.
6 European Golden Shoes
Messi has won 6 European Golden Shoes for being the top goal scorer in Europe. The next closest is 3 by Cristiano Ronaldo.
- He scored an astonishing 73 goals across all competitions in 2011-12 to win his second straight Golden Shoe.
- His 50 La Liga goals in 2011-12 remains a record for most league goals in a European season.
750+ Goals & 350+ Assists Over Career
In total for his club and country, Messi has scored over 750 goals and provided over 350 assists in a 17 year career so far.
- He has averaged over 40 goals per season for 15 years.
- His assist numbers are equally stunning, averaging over 20 assists per season.
5 seasons with 60+ Goals
Messi has scored 60+ goals in a season 5 times, including his peak of 73 goals in 2011-12:
- 2008-09: 38 goals
- 2009-10: 47 goals
- 2011-12: 73 goals (career high)
- 2012-13: 60 goals
- 2018-19: 61 goals
For context, no other player in La Liga history has scored 60+ goals more than twice.
10 La Liga Titles & 4 Champions Leagues
While known for his staggering individual stats, Lionel Messi has won every major team trophy multiple times:
- 10 La Liga titles – more than any other player in history.
- 4 UEFA Champions League titles – tied for second most all-time behind Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo (5 UCL titles).
- 6 Copas del Rey, 3 UEFA Super Cups, and 3 Club World Cups
Without Messi, Barcelona would undoubtedly have won far fewer major trophies over the past 15 years.
All-Time Great Goalscorer – Style, Consistency, Versatility
While the numbers speak for themselves, it’s the style, consistency, and versatility Lionel Messi displays as a goalscorer that make him arguably the greatest of all time in that skill.
Unparalleled Dribbling and Finishing
Lionel Messi’s dribbling ability makes him nearly impossible to defend one-on-one. His agility, acceleration, close control, and footwork allow him to breeze by defenders and get into prime scoring positions.
Once in scoring range, Messi is lethal with both feet and his head. He places shots perfectly, can rocket them into the top corners, and makes tough angles look easy.
Scoring Consistency Across Competitions
Most great goal scorers peak for a handful of seasons. Lionel Messi has maintained an elite 40+ goal scoring pace across all competitions for 15+ seasons running.
- He has scored 30+ La Liga goals for 8 straight seasons from 2011-2019. For comparison, the previous record was 2 straight 30-goal seasons.
- Since 2008, Messi has never scored fewer than 38 goals for club and country.
Scoring in Every Way Imaginable
Lionel Messi seems to have mastered every type of finish and goal:
- Long range rockets – From inside or outside the box, he nets jaw-dropping goals from distance.
- Chips and lobs – His touch and technique allow him to chip world-class keepers.
- Volleys and half-volleys – He times his volleys perfectly.
- Headers – Despite his short stature, he remains a threat in the air.
- Free kicks – His free kicks often look impossible from the shooting angles.
- Dribbling runs – He dribbles through entire defenses to score.
- Finesse shots – He curls shots just inside the posts.
- One-touch – His one-touch passing and finishing is sublime.
Big Game Dominance
Lionel Messi has scored in major Cup finals, league deciders, and El Clasico matches against Real Madrid. He especially excels in important Champions League games:
- He has scored 120 Champions League goals – the most ever.
- He has scored in 6 separate Champions League seasons, a record.
- He scored 15 goals across Barcelona’s 2008-09 and 2010-11 title campaigns.
Barcelona’s All-Time Greatest & Most Important Player
Having played 17 seasons at Barcelona, Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the club’s greatest ever player for his on-field exploits and historic impact.
Barcelona’s All-Time Leading Scorer
With 672 goals, Lionel Messi has scored over 300 more goals for Barcelona than any other player. His goal totals eclipse those of historic legends like Laszlo Kubala (196 goals), Josep Samitier (333), and César Rodríguez (232).
No player has come close to matching Messi’s scoring exploits in a Barca shirt. Former teammate Luis Suárez ranks second for Barca with 198 goals – less than a third of Messi’s total.
Historic Trophies Haul
The sheer amount of trophies Messi has won with Barcelona cements his legend status:
- 10 La Liga titles – Messi is the only player in history to win 10+ Spanish league crowns. He was integral in each one, leading scoring in 7/10 title campaigns.
- 4 UEFA Champions League titles – Messi scored in both 2009 and 2011 UCL final wins. He carried the team with 15 total goals across both title runs, including multiple goals in several knockout ties.
- 6 Copas del Rey, 3 Club World Cups, etc. – Barcelona likely don’t win these trophies without Messi’s dominance.
No player has won more trophies for Barcelona than Lionel Messi.
Style and Brand Growth
In addition to his mind-boggling stats and trophy haul, Lionel Messi has defined Barcelona’s attacking style of play for over a decade. His combination play, vision, movement, and finishing epitomize the club’s philosophy.
Off the field, Messi’s global popularity has expanded Barcelona’s fanbase and brand worldwide. He has been the face of the club during its most successful period.
Argentina’s Leader – World Cup and Copa America Quest
For club and country, Lionel Messi has accomplished almost everything except a World Cup title. He has come agonizingly close to winning that elusive trophy with Argentina.
2014 World Cup Run – Golden Ball Winner
In the 2014 World Cup, Lionel Messi led Argentina to the final before losing 1-0 to Germany in extra time. Despite the heartbreaking finish, Messi won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player for his 4 goals and 7 man of the match performances.
He almost single-handedly dragged Argentina through the knockout rounds with stellar displays against:
- Switzerland (1 goal, game-winning assist)
- Belgium (1 assist)
- Netherlands (1 assist)
2016 Copa America Run – Player of the Tournament
Two years later at the 2016 Copa America Centenario, Messi again propelled Argentina to the final. After a scoreless draw vs. Chile, Argentina lost on penalty kicks despite Messi converting his spot kick.
Despite another agonizing 2nd place finish, Messi won Player of the Tournament honors for his 5 goals and 4 assists. He also led the tournament in dribbles completed (30) and was named Man of the Match 4 times.
2022 World Cup – Last Chance at Glory
Now 35 years old, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar likely represents Lionel Messi’s last opportunity to win that elusive international trophy.
Argentina are one of the tournament favorites given their talented squad and Messi’s big game abilities. If he leads them to victory, it would cement his place as the greatest soccer player of all time beyond any doubt.
Global Popularity – Most Followed Person on Instagram
Off the field, Lionel Messi’s global popularity and commercial success have matched his soccer achievements. He is one of the most famous and beloved sports figures worldwide.
Social Media King – 350 Million+ Followers
As of October 2022, Lionel Messi has over:
- 350 million Instagram followers – making him the most followed person on the platform.
- 103 million Facebook followers.
- Over 90 million Twitter followers.
His only close competitor is Cristiano Ronaldo, with around 500 million total social media followers across the 3 major platforms.
Vastly Popular Among Younger Fans
While also beloved by older soccer fans, Lionel Messi’s flashy style of play and highlights have made him extremely popular among kids and teenagers worldwide.
He is often their favorite soccer player and a top sports idol. Messi’s fame will likely continue spreading to younger generations given his social media following and YouTube highlights.
Crossover Fame Beyond Soccer
Lionel Messi’s athletic achievements and humble personality have also made him a recognizable celebrity even among non-sports fans.
His signature highlights, goal celebrations, and looks are embedded in mainstream pop culture. He has been featured in TV shows, ads, songs, and memes that extend his popularity beyond just soccer/football.
Richest Player – Lucrative Endorsements
Lionel Messi’s club salary and numerous endorsement deals make him the world’s highest paid soccer player, as well as one of the top earning athletes overall.
$127 Million in 2022 Earnings
Forbes estimates Lionel Messi earned $127 million total in 2022 via:
- $65 million in Barcelona salary.
- $62 million in endorsement and sponsor earnings.
He was the 2nd highest paid athlete that year behind NBA star LeBron James ($127.9M).
Lifetime Nike Sponsor Since Age 13
At age 13, Nike signed Messi to a sponsorship deal that has lasted his whole career. As Messi became a superstar, Nike created signature Messi soccer cleats and boots that became (and remain) top selling models.
Lucrative Sponsors Like Pepsi, Adidas, Huawei
In addition to Nike, Lionel Messi has had lucrative lifetime sponsor deals with companies like Pepsi, Adidas, and Huawei.
His wholesome family image and global popularity allow him to earn over $50 million annually in endorsements for decades. Soccer stars like Ronaldo, Neymar and Beckham are the only athletes who can match his earning power off the field.
Subscribe to our list
Don't worry, we don't spam
Messi’s Personality and Character
Despite his fame and sporting success, Lionel Messi leads a relatively quiet life centered on soccer and family. He has avoided major scandals and controversies that tend to follow superstar athletes.
Humble Nature Despite Fame
Lionel Messi has maintained a reputation as humble and soft-spoken, despite his global fame. He deflects praise and focuses on team success rather than individual honors.
While other soccer stars are known for their flashy lifestyle and outspoken personalities, Messi is content living a low-key life away from the spotlight.
Beloved for Charity Initiatives
Lionel Messi co-founded the Leo Messi Foundation in 2007 to help disadvantaged children receive healthcare, education, and sport opportunities.
He has donated millions to children’s hospitals and charities over the years, especially in Barcelona and his Argentine hometown of Rosario. This philanthropic work has only added to Messi’s reputation as a role model.
Devoted Family Man
Lionel Messi married his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in 2017. They have three sons together – Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
He reportedly turned down lucrative transfer offers in 2021 from clubs like PSG and Manchester City primarily to keep his family settled in Barcelona. His devotion as a husband and father further endears him to fans worldwide.
Conclusion – A True Soccer Legend
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s statistical dominance, trophy haul, global fame, and iconic style of play solidify him as one of soccer’s all-time greatest players and living legends.
His unparalleled goalscoring exploits, dribbling skills, big game performances, and numerous Liga/Champions League titles make him the clear standout player of his generation.
While an elusive World Cup title still evades him, Messi has otherwise accomplished everything possible in soccer. Even in the twilight of his career, he remains Argentina’s leader in their quest for that coveted trophy.
Off the field, Lionel Messi’s humble character, charity initiatives, and devotion to his family complement his athletic brilliance. He is beloved globally not just for his mind-boggling soccer skills, but for the role model he represents, especially to children.
At only 35 years old, Messi still likely has several more seasons of excellence left in his storied career. Each additional accolade and trophy will only further burnish his soccer legend.
