Profile

Name: Lionel Messi
Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Date of birth: June 24, 1987
Birthplace: Rosario, Santa Fé, Argentina
Nationality: Argentinian
2nd nationality: Spanish
EU passport: Yes
Height: 169 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Forward [C]
Number: 19
Contract expires: June 2014
Previous clubs: none
International debut: August 2005, vs Hungary
Caps: 18
Goals: 10
World cups: Germany 2006
Idol: Maradona
Compared to: Maradona
Best Known As: Goal-scoring Argentine forward for FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi Trivia

Playing for FC Barcelona in La Liga (Spain).

In June 2005, Messi played in the U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship in Netherlands, picking up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament.

On April 18, 2007, Messi scored two goals during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe CF, one of which was very similar to Maradona’s famous goal against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, known as the Goal of the Century.

In a press conference after the Copa del Rey semi-final, Messi’s team-mate Deco said: “There’s no other like Leo.”The injury that kept him from playing for two months at the end of the 2005/06 league jeopardised his presence at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, Messi was selected in the Argentina squad for the tournament on May 15 2006. He also played in the farewell match against the Argentinian U-20 team for fifteen minutes and a friendly against Angola from the 64th minute.

Lionel Messi Quotes:

“We cannot allow that to happen again. I am sure Argentina has a very strong team and the players have the will to win the title. … We would like to avoid playing against one of those strong teams in the first round.”

“This is a re-debut. The first one was a bit short.”

“This defeat hurts because of the way it happened and because it broke our record of victories.”

“It was obvious from his first attack on me that he went in to kick me on the knee. It meant the second time he came in really hard, he was going over the ball with the intention of hurting me. That was why I jumped and that is the only reason he did not do real damage.”

“We can’t be overconfident. It happened to us when we were leading 2-1 in last year’s game. Chelsea has players who can score two goals at any moment and we have to realize we have achieved nothing yet.”

“Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win.”

“I want to avoid comparisons because for me there has never been anyone quite like him.”

“I rushed to get back before it was time.”

Lionel Messi Awards & Honors:

FIFA U-20 World Cup (2005)

UEFA Champions League (2006)

Spanish La Liga (2005, 2006)
Spanish Super Cup (2005, 2006)

FIFA U-20 World Cup Top Scorer (2005)
FIFA U-20 World Cup Best Player (2005)

Argentinian Footballer of the Year (2005)
FIFPro Young Footballer of the Year (2006)
World Soccer Young Player of the Year (2006)

Lionel Messi Career Highlights:

Club:
Years :2004–present
Club : FC Barcelona
Appearances (Goals) : 50 (21)

National team:
Years : 2005–
Team : Argentina
Appearances (Goals) : 20 (6)