Who is Lionel Messi?
A: Lionel Andrés Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as
a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentina
national team.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all
time, Messi has won a record seven what?
A: Ballon d'Or awards.
He holds a record six European Golden Shoes, and in
2020 was named to what?
A: The Ballon d'Or Dream Team.
Until leaving the club in 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with whom?
A: Barcelona, where he won a club-record 35 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues.
A prolific goal scorer and creative playmaker, Messi
holds the records for most goals in what?
A: La Liga (474).
He also holds the record for most international goals
by what?
A: A South American male (90).
Messi has scored over 780 senior career goals for club and country and has what?
A: The most goals by a player for a single club.
Where was he born and raised?
A: In central Argentina.
Messi relocated to Spain to join Barcelona at what age?
A: At the age of 13.
When did he make his competitive debut?
A: In October 2004 at the age of 17.
He established himself as an integral player for the
club within the next three years, and in his first uninterrupted season in
2008–09 he helped Barcelona do what?
A: Achieve the first treble in Spanish football; that year, aged 22, Messi
won his first Ballon d'Or.
Three successful seasons followed, with Messi winning
how many consecutive Ballons d'Or?
A: Four, making him the first player to win the award four times and in a
row.
During the 2011–12 season, he set the La Liga and
European records for what?
A: Most goals scored in a single season, while establishing himself as
Barcelona's all-time top scorer.
The following two seasons, Messi finished second for
the Ballon d'Or behind whom?
A: Cristiano Ronaldo (his perceived career rival).
He regained his best form during the 2014–15 campaign,
becoming what?
A: The all-time top scorer in La Liga and leading Barcelona to a historic
second treble, after which he was awarded a fifth Ballon d'Or in
2015.
Messi assumed captaincy of Barcelona in what year?
A: 2018.
In 2019 he won a record what?
A: Sixth Ballon d'Or.
Out of contract, he signed for whom in August 2021?
A: Paris Saint-Germain.
An Argentine international, Messi holds the national
record for what?
A: Appearances and is also the country's all-time leading goalscorer.
At youth level, he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth
Championship, finishing the tournament with what?
A: Both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe, and an Olympic gold medal at the
2008 Summer Olympics.
His style of play as a diminutive, left-footed dribbler
drew comparisons with whom?
A: His compatriot Diego Maradona, who described Messi as his successor.
After his senior debut in August 2005, Messi became
what?
A: The youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup in 2006.
He reached the final of the 2007 Copa América, where he
was named what?
What did he do after announcing his international retirement in
2016?
A: He reversed his decision and led his country to qualification for the
2018 FIFA World Cup, a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa América, and won
the 2021 Copa América, while winning the Golden Ball and Golden Boot award
for the latter.
This achievement would see him receive a what?
A: A record seventh Ballon d'Or in 2021.
Messi has endorsed what sportswear company since 2006?
A: Adidas.
According to France Football, when was he the world's
highest-paid footballer for five years out of six?
A: Between 2009 and 2014.
He was ranked the world's highest-paid athlete by whom?
A: Forbes in 2019 and 2022.
When was Messi among Time's 100 most influential people
in the world?
A: In 2011 and 2012.
In February 2020, he was awarded what?
A: The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, thus becoming the first
footballer and the first team sport athlete to win the award.
Later that year, Messi became the second footballer
(and second team-sport athlete) to surpass what in career earnings?
A: $1 billion.