Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi], born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. He serves as the captain of his country's national football team. By the age of 21, Messi had received Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations. The following year, in 2009, he won his first Ballon d'Or[2] and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. He followed this up by winning the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2010,[3] and again in 2011[4] and 2012.[5] He also won the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. At the age of 24, Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer in all official club competitions.[6] At age 25, Messi became the youngest player to score 200 La Liga goals.[7][8]
Consistently rated by commentators, coaches and colleagues as the best footballer in the world and as one of the greatest players in the history of the game,[9][10][11][12][13][14] Messi is the first football player in history to win four FIFA/Ballons d'Or, all of which he won consecutively. Messi has won five La Ligas, two Copas del Rey, five Supercopas de España, three UEFA Champions Leagues, two Super Cups and two Club World Cups. In March 2012, Messi made Champions League history by becoming the first player to score five goals in one match.[15] He also matched José Altafini's record of 14 goals in a single Champions League season.[16] Messi became the first player to top-score in four successive Champions League campaigns.[17][18] He set the European record for most goals scored in a season during the 2011–12 season, with 73 goals.[19] In the same season, he set the current goalscoring record in a single La Liga season, scoring 50 goals.[20] On 16 February 2013, Messi scored his 300th Barcelona goal.[21] On 30 March 2013, Messi scored in 19 consecutive La Liga games, becoming the first footballer in history to net in consecutive matches against every team in
Consistently rated by commentators, coaches and colleagues as the best footballer in the world and as one of the greatest players in the history of the game,[9][10][11][12][13][14] Messi is the first football player in history to win four FIFA/Ballons d'Or, all of which he won consecutively. Messi has won five La Ligas, two Copas del Rey, five Supercopas de España, three UEFA Champions Leagues, two Super Cups and two Club World Cups. In March 2012, Messi made Champions League history by becoming the first player to score five goals in one match.[15] He also matched José Altafini's record of 14 goals in a single Champions League season.[16] Messi became the first player to top-score in four successive Champions League campaigns.[17][18] He set the European record for most goals scored in a season during the 2011–12 season, with 73 goals.[19] In the same season, he set the current goalscoring record in a single La Liga season, scoring 50 goals.[20] On 16 February 2013, Messi scored his 300th Barcelona goal.[21] On 30 March 2013, Messi scored in 19 consecutive La Liga games, becoming the first footballer in history to net in consecutive matches against every team in