Yet a large swath of trolls still peruse social media looking for ways to degrade the Argentinian star and his career in any way possible. MORE: Who has scored the most goals in international football all-time? [430][431] On 5 May, Messi's four match ban as well as his 10,000 CHF fine was lifted by FIFA after Argentina Football Association appealed against his suspension, which meant he could now play Argentina's remaining World Cup Qualifiers. Offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade 4.1million in taxes related to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009. [435][436] Prior to Argentina's opener, there was speculation in the media over whether this would be Messi's final World Cup. [294], On 27 September, Messi began the 202021 season by scoring a penalty in a 40 home win against Villarreal in La Liga. Beano Quiz Team. [82][87], As the season's Champions League top scorer with nine goals, the youngest in the tournament's history,[88] Messi scored two goals and assisted two more to ensure a 40 quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich. [357][384] He netted a total of 12 goals in 9 games for Argentina in 2012, equalling the record held by Gabriel Batistuta for the most goals scored in a calendar year for their country. Messi worked to regain fitness in time for the Champions League final, but on 17 May, the day of the final, he was eventually ruled out. - . According to FCBarcelona.com, and his authorised biography, most appearances in World Cup tournaments, List of international goals scored by Lionel Messi, List of career achievements by Lionel Messi, European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics, List of FC Barcelona records and statistics, List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals, List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps, List of men's footballers with 500 or more goals, List of men's footballers with the most official appearances, List of top international men's football goalscorers by country, List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA World Cups, "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: List of Players: Argentina", "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players", "Messi donates to charity after libel case win", "Messi, Lloyd, Luis Enrique and Ellis Triumph at FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015", "Messi | Ficha del jugador 20/21 | Delantero", "Here and Gone: The Strange Relationship between Lionel Messi and His Hometown in Argentina", "Pablo Aimar: The Argentinian Wizard Admired by Maradona and Messi", "Lionel Messi: How Argentinian Teenager Signed for Barcelona on a Serviette", "Lionel Messi Could Have Joined Arsenal as a Teenager, Says Arsne Wenger", "The best quotes about Lionel Messi's 10 years at Barcelona", "All time stats for Messi in the Bara youth teams", "Ex-Teammate, La Masia Coach Recall Lionel Messi's Early Days, Persona", "Giuly remembers the first time he saw Messi 'kill' his team-mates", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200304", "Lionel Andrs Messi Cuccittini: Matches 200405", "Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm", "Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Driven to Join the Champions League Elite", "Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona has been kidnapped. [19], As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia, they sought to arrange a trial with Barcelona in September 2000. Alternate titles: Leo Messi, Lionel Andrs Messi, Jack Rollin is a writer and freelance journalist. [577][578][579][580] Additionally, Messi was the face of Konami's video game series Pro Evolution Soccer, appearing on the covers of PES 2009, PES 2010, PES 2011 and PES 2020. 10. Kevin De Bruyne. His success continued at the 2022 World Cup. He would dribble past four players and score a goal. [279][280] Following his brace in a 50 away win against Alavs in the final match of the season on 20 May, Messi finished the season as both the top scorer and top assist provider in La Liga, with 25 goals and 21 assists respectively, which saw him win his record seventh Pichichi trophy, overtaking Zarra; however, Barcelona missed out on the league title to Real Madrid. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Competition wettbewerb ; Total 22/23: 28: 17: 16---2.467' Ligue 1: 20: 12: 12---1.762' Champions League . In addition to earning a football salary that was frequently, with Ronaldos, one of the two largest athletes salaries in all professional sports, he was an extremely successful product pitchman, notably for the sportswear company Adidas. [62] In the league, his goal contribution increased towards the end of the season; 11 of his 14 goals came from the last 13 games. Though only 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 metres) tall and weighing 148 pounds (67 kg), he was strong, well-balanced, and versatile on the field. [389] During the second match against Iran, he scored an injury-time goal from 25 yards out to end the game in a 10 win, securing their qualification for the knockout phase. Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has also built a state-of-the-art sports complex in the country. All the decline of recent times was hidden by this unrivalled genius [Messi]", Former Argentine player Osvaldo Ardiles on the decline in quality of Argentina being masked by Messi. Substitute Mario Gtze finally scored in the 113th minute, followed in the last minute of extra time by a free kick that Messi sent over the net, as Germany won the match 10 to claim the World Cup. Advertisement. "[597] In May 2022, Messi was unveiled as Saudi Arabia's tourism ambassador. [468] On 3 July, Messi assisted twice and scored from a free-kick in a 30 win over Ecuador in the quarter-finals of the competition. My love for Bara will never change. [378], Despite their poor qualifying campaign, Argentina were considered title contenders at the World Cup in South Africa. He missed several opportunities to open the scoring throughout the match, in particular at the start of the second half when his breakaway effort went wide of the far post. [282] On 15 August, Messi suffered his worst defeat as a player as Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 82 in a one-off tie in Lisbon, leading to another disappointing exit from the Champions League. It is also known as the eighteenth installment to the PES series. Legendary footballers are easy to name. At home, he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister, Mara Sol, while he stayed in Barcelona with his father. [46], On 24 June, his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract as a senior team player. Post-match the Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli spoke of the lack of quality in the team surrounding Messi, saying "we quite simply couldn't pass to him to help him generate the situations he is used to. After he suffered a hamstring strain on 2 April, during the first quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), his appearances became sporadic. [242] On 20 October, Messi scored in a 42 home win over Sevilla, but was later forced off in the 26th minute after falling awkwardly and injuring his right arm; tests later confirmed that he had fractured his radial bone, ruling him out for approximately three weeks. In July of that year, Messi and his father were each given suspended 21-month prison sentences (first-time offenders in Spain are given suspended sentences if the duration is under two years) and were fined 2 million and 1.5 million, respectively. [308], On 17 April, Messi scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 40 in the 2021 Copa del Rey Final. The next year Messi and Barcelona won the Champions League (the European club championship) title. The game is a highly-detailed version of a football game as it enables you to move and react the same way an actual player would. [101] Messi helped the team achieve 16 consecutive league victories, a record in Spanish football, concluding with another hat-trick against Atltico Madrid on 5 February 2011. Following a 10 win in the next group match against Australia, ensuring their quarter-final qualification, Messi was rested during the game against Serbia, while his side won the match to finish first in their group. The two greatest players on the planet right now and arguably of all time Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are far and away the best paid footballers, each taking home more . [13], A lifelong supporter of Newell's Old Boys, Messi joined the Rosario club when he was six years old. After a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa Amrica, Messi led Argentina to victory in the tournament two years later, and he received the Golden Ball award. Lionel Messi. [367] He was named the best young player of the tournament by CONMEBOL. He was among the Time 100, an annual list of the world's most influential people as published by Time, in 2011 and 2012. With his country, he won the 2021 Copa Amrica and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His first goal was also his 10th league goal of the season, making him the first player ever to reach double figures in La Liga for 13 consecutive seasons. [547][548][549] Vickery states the perception of Messi among Argentines changed in 2019, with Messi making a conscious effort to become "more one of the group, more Argentine", with Vickery adding that following the World Cup victory in 2022 Messi would now be held in the same esteem by his compatriots as Maradona. [227] Messi became only the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to reach this century milestone, but accomplished it in 21 fewer appearances than the Portuguese counterpart. [609] Messi and his family are Catholic Christians. [207] On 13 September, Messi scored his first hat-trick of the season in the opening game of the 201617 UEFA Champions League campaign against Celtic in a 70 victory; this was also Messi's sixth hat-trick in the Champions League, the most by any player. After Argentina was defeated in the Copa finalthe teams third consecutive finals loss in a major tournamentMessi said that he was quitting the national team, but his short-lived retirement lasted less than two months before he announced his return to the Argentine team. First team director Charly Rexach immediately wanted to sign him, but the board of directors hesitated; at the time it was highly unusual for European clubs to sign foreign players of such a young age. After his senior debut in August 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup (2006), and reached the final of the 2007 Copa Amrica, where he was named young player of the tournament. [166] A third hat-trick, scored against city rivals Espanyol on 7 December, allowed him to surpass Csar Rodrguez as the all-time top scorer in the Derbi barcelon with 12 goals. [269] His goals (608) also saw him overtake Cristiano Ronaldo's senior goal tally (606) at club level. [323] He made his first start and Champions League debut for the club in a 11 away draw against Club Brugge on 15 September. With his 35th trophy with Barcelona, Messi also overtook former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs as the most decorated footballer for a single club. [603], "Leo is not shy. FootballCritic (FC) has one main purpose - to help football fans of every level of obsession understand and enjoy the game just a little more. Why Lionel Messi is called Pessi: Social media haters throw shade on Argentina star for penalty kicks. Pessifandogs are Brainless 11:07 AM EST, Tue February 28, 2023. Filter by season: Stats 22/23 . Detailed. Lionel Messi has been named the men's footballer of the year at The Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris. [138][139] As the odds-on favourite, Messi again won the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or four times. Real Madrid defender David Alaba has been racially abused on social media after voting for Lionel Messi and Croatia coach Zlatko Dali has accused FIFA of disrespect in fallout from the soccer bodys annual awards ceremony, World Cup winner Lionel Messi has won FIFAs Best Mens Player award for 2022. [114][115][116] He began the campaign by helping Barcelona win both the Spanish and European Super Cups; in the Supercopa de Espaa, he scored three times to achieve a 54 aggregate victory over Real Madrid, overtaking Ral as the competition's all-time top scorer with eight goals. [356] He subsequently made regular appearances for the team ahead of Argentina's participation in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring his first goal in a friendly against Croatia on 1 March 2006. [219] In total, Messi finished the 201617 season with 54 goals, while his 37 goals in La Liga saw him claim both the Pichichi and European Golden Boot Awards for the fourth time in his career. Across his incredible career, Lionel Messi has scored 695 goals in his club career with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, plus another 98 at international level, including two in the 2022 World Cup final against France at age 35. [223] Messi netted twice against Gianluigi Buffon, on 12 September, as Bara defeated the last season's Italian champions Juventus 30 at home in the UEFA Champions League. [626] This was split between Clinic Barcelona hospital in Barcelona, Spain and his native Argentina. A new season is her after having seen how millions of euros have been spent on players. [200] Messi finished the 201516 season by setting up both goals in Barcelona's 20 extra time win over Sevilla in the 2016 Copa del Rey Final, at the Vicente Caldern Stadium, on 22 May 2016, as the club celebrated winning the domestic double for the second consecutive season. [414] This record was broken three days later when Messi scored a free kick in a 40 semi-final win against hosts the United States; he also assisted two goals during the match as Argentina sealed a place in the final of the competition for a second consecutive year,[415] and was named man of the match once again. The 29-year-old, who missed the European Championships with an ACL injury, finished ahead of the USA international Alex Morgan and England striker Beth Mead in the voting. [628], In November 2016, with the Argentine Football Association being run by a FIFA committee for emergency due to an economic crisis, it was reported that three of the national team's security staff told Messi that they had not received their salaries for six months. [606] In April 2015, Messi confirmed that they were expecting another child. [92], The new year, however, started on a less positive note for Barcelona, as they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Sevilla in the Round of 16. [256][257] He also captured his sixth Golden Shoe award, and a record third consecutive award since the 201617 season. She also becomes the first player to win the womens award twice. Corrections? In 2005 he was granted Spanish citizenship, an honour greeted with mixed feelings by the fiercely Catalan supporters of Barcelona. [177][178][179] Messi scored twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 31 in the Copa del Rey final on 30 May, achieving the sixth double in their history. [231], On 4 March, he scored his 600th senior career goal from a free kick in a 10 home win over Atltico Madrid, in La Liga. [135] Messi sent Mller a number 10 Barcelona shirt, signed "with respect and admiration", after breaking his 40-year record. [405] At the close of the tournament, he was reportedly selected to receive the Most Valuable Player award but rejected the honour. Messi is in some ways the antithesis of his predecessor: where Maradona was an extroverted, controversial character who rose to greatness from the slums, Messi is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Show Image Guess. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals in La Liga (474), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (eight), and most assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa Amrica (17). ", "World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi Golden Ball Surprised Sepp Blatter", "Gerardo 'Tata' Martino Appointed Argentina Coach", "Messi Bemoans Scoring Difficulties at Copa Amrica", "Even Hostile Chile Fans Forced to Acknowledge Lionel Messi's Greatness", "Argentina Beat Colombia on Penalties to Reach Copa America Semifinal", "Hosts Chile Stun Argentina to Claim First Copa Amrica Title on Penalties", "Argentina's Lionel Messi Grateful for Support after Copa Amrica Defeat", "Coach: I'd Have Stopped Playing for Argentina if I Was Messi", "Lionel Messi leaves Argentina's friendly win vs. Honduras with back injury", "Argentina top Chile in rematch of last year's Copa Amrica final", "Lionel Messi scores brilliant hat-trick as Argentina surge into quarter-finals", "Gabriel Batistuta Lionel Messi taking my Argentina record annoyed me", "Copa America: Lionel Messi equals Gabriel Batistuta's Argentina record", "Lionel Messi equals Argentina's all-time goal-scoring record", "Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile", "Devastated Messi announces likely retirement from Argentina", "Lionel Messi says his Argentina career is over after Copa Amrica final defeat", "Messi 'God's gift' to Argentina president", "Inauguran en Buenos Aires una estatua en homenaje a Messi", "Macri, Maradona and the Argentine people rally together to prompt Messi U-turn", "Lionel Messi: Argentina striker reverses decision to retire from national team", "La Nacion claims to know that Lionel Messi will return to Argentina national team", "Lionel Messi to make Argentina return after brief international retirement", "Messi strikes back as Argentina sink Uruguay", "Lionel Messi suspended for four matches", "Lionel Messi: Barcelona and Argentina forward banned for 'insulting' assistant ref", "FIFA Appeal Committee passes decision on Lionel Messi", "Lionel Messi hat-trick secures Argentina's passage to World Cup", "Argentina: World Cup squad is the 'worst in their history' says Ossie Ardiles", "Messi: 'Now or Never' for His Argentina Generation to Win World Cup", "Lionel Messi: Argentina's results will decide if this is my last World Cup", "World Cup 2018: Argentina 'cloud Lionel Messi's brilliance', says coach Jorge Sampaoli", "Luka Modric defends Messi: 'He can't do everything by himself', "Relief for Argentina and Lionel Messi After World Cup Thriller", "Messi, Ronaldo bow out in dramatic knockout openers", "Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi at the 2018 World Cup: Argentina and Portugal eliminated", "Lionel Messi unlikely for Argentina duties for rest of year sources", "Lionel Messi returns to Argentina squad for first time since World Cup", "Pablo Aimar, sus lgrimas y el "ganar es vivir, perder es morir", "Messi Leads Argentina's Copa America Squad; Icardi Omitted", "Argentina draws with Paraguay 11 in Copa America", "Messi admits not playing well for Argentina at Copa America", "Lionel Messi's corruption claim dismissed by Copa Amrica organisers", "Argentina's Rodrigo de Paul: 'Messi surprised me. [433] Messi's three goals saw him become the joint all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with 21 goals, alongside Uruguay's Luis Surez, overtaking the previous record which was held by compatriot Hernn Crespo. [212] After placing second in the 2016 Ballon d'Or, on 9 January 2017 Messi also finished in second place behind Cristiano Ronaldo once again in the 2016 Best FIFA Men's Player Award. [225] Three weeks later, on 1 October, Messi surpassed his former teammate Carles Puyol to become the third highest appearance maker in the club's history, as he helped Bara defeat Las Palmas 30 by assisting Sergio Busquets' opener and later adding two himself in his 594th official game for the club; the league game was played behind closed doors at the Camp Nou due to violence in Catalonia relating to an ongoing independence referendum. He has since participated in UNICEF campaigns targeting HIV prevention, education, and the social inclusion of disabled children. [43] Under Guardiola and subsequent managers, he most often played in a false nine role; positioned as a centre-forward or lone striker, he would roam the centre, often moving deep into midfield and drawing defenders with him, in order to create and exploit spaces for passes, other teammates' attacking runs off the ball, Messi's own dribbling runs, or combinations with Xavi and Iniesta. [465], On 14 June 2021, Messi scored from a free kick in a 11 draw against Chile in Argentina's opening group match of the 2021 Copa Amrica in Brazil. He stated, "sports and music are an integral part of my life. [401] Following a 10 win against defending champions Uruguay, Messi earned his 100th cap for his country in the final group match, a 10 win over Jamaica, becoming only the fifth Argentine to achieve this milestone. [93] Unsatisfied with his position on the right wing with the club's summer acquisition Zlatan Ibrahimovi occupying the central forward role Messi resumed playing as a false nine in early 2010, beginning with a Champions League last 16-round match against VfB Stuttgart. He's [like] a PlayStation. [89] This success was reflected in a new contract, signed on 18 September, which committed Messi to the club through 2016 with a new buyout clause of 250million, while his salary increased to 12million. [191] Messi capped off the year by winning the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup Final on 20 December, collecting his fifth club trophy of 2015 as Barcelona defeated River Plate 30 in Yokohama. After announcing his international retirement in 2016, he reversed his decision and led his country to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa Amrica, and victory in the 2021 Copa Amrica, while winning the Golden Ball and Golden Boot for the latter. He finished the campaign having scored for four of his five teams with a total of 36 goals in all official competitions. [378] Upon his first-team debut, he was moved onto the right wing by manager Frank Rijkaard; from this position, he could more easily cut through the defence into the middle of the pitch and curl shots on goal with his left foot, rather than predominantly cross balls for teammates. [143][144] He wore the captain's armband for the first time a month later, on 17 March, in a league match against Rayo Vallecano; by then, he had become the team's tactical focal point to a degree that was arguably rivalled only by former Barcelona players Josep Samitier, Lszl Kubala and Johan Cruyff. [49][50] Wearing the number 19 shirt, he gradually established himself as the first-choice right winger, forming an attacking trio with Ronaldinho and striker Samuel Eto'o. ", "Lionel Messi not nominated for Ballon d'Or for first time in 17 years", "Kylian Mbapp scores a hat-trick including 8-second goal from kick-off as Paris Saint-Germain puts seven goals past Lille", "VIDO Michel Rio, le Breton plus rapide que Kylian Mbapp", "Lionel Messi, joueur du mois de septembre de la Ligue 1 Uber Eats! [241] On 18 September, Messi scored a hat-trick in a 40 home win over PSV Eindhoven in Barcelona's opening Champions League group stage match of the season, setting a new record for most hat-tricks in the competition, with eight. [42][43] Messi made his league debut during the next match on 16 October, against Espanyol, coming on in the 82nd minute. [63] His growing importance to the club was reflected in a new contract, signed that month, which greatly increased his wages. We lost that battle". A Warner Bros. Lionel Messi has done it all throughout his illustrious career, filled with goalscoring records. [617][618] Messi has served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since his appointment in March 2010, completing his first field mission for the organisation four months later as he travelled to Haiti to bring public awareness to the plight of the country's children in the wake of the recent earthquake. Modified Jun 12, 2022 22:04 IST. [494], Due to his short stature, Messi has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater agility, allowing him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles;[495][496] this has led the Spanish media to dub him La Pulga Atmica ("The Atomic Flea"). [61][80] Despite his injuries early in the year, his performances in 2008 saw him again voted runner-up for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award, both times behind Cristiano Ronaldo. "[538] Csar Menotti, who as manager orchestrated their 1978 World Cup victory, echoed this sentiment when he opined that Messi plays "at the level of the best Maradona". Reserved by nature, Messi went on to lead his squad by example as their best player, while Mascherano continued to fulfil the role of the team's on-field leader and motivator. You don't have to overthink this one. [108][109] Barcelona won a third consecutive La Liga title. Argentinas Messi wins Best Fifa mens player of the year award, Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina holds the World Cup Trophy during the 2022 Fifa World Cup awarding ceremony at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on December 18. [259], On 5 August 2019, it was announced that Messi would miss Barcelona's US tour after sustaining a right calf injury. [105] Although he did not score, he was again important in the second-leg draw that sent Barcelona through to the Champions League final,[106][107] where they faced Manchester United in a repeat of the final two years earlier. [463] On 8 October 2020, Messi scored a penalty in a 10 victory against Ecuador, giving Argentina a winning start to their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. "My ambition is always to get better and better." 13. Follow. [39][49], Due to issues regarding his legal status in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Messi missed the start of La Liga, but on 26 September, he acquired Spanish citizenship and became eligible to play. [72][73] Although he managed to score 16 goals during the 200708 campaign,[74] the second half of his season was again marred by injuries after he suffered a torn hamstring on 15 December. Argentina lost that contest 10 to Germany, but Messi nevertheless won the Golden Ball award as the tournaments best player. I signed the contracts because I trusted my dad and the lawyers and we had decided that they would take charge of those things. The people who came up with the "Pessi" name also managed to gather up an accompanying image that was meant to make fun of the player in question. [358], During the World Cup in Germany, Messi witnessed their opening match victory against the Ivory Coast from the substitutes' bench. [11][12], "When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. [29] After being named player of the tournament in four international pre-season competitions with the Juveniles B, he played only one official match with the team before being promoted to the Juveniles A, where he scored 18 goals in 11 league games. He scored 38 goals in 51 matches during that season, and he bested Ronaldo in the balloting for both the Ballon dOr and FIFAs world player of the year by a record margin. [243] On 8 December, Messi scored two free kicks his ninth and tenth goals from set pieces during the calendar year in a 40 away win over Derbi barcelon rivals Espanyol in La Liga; this was the first time ever that he had managed such a feat in the league. [319], On 10 August, Messi joined French club Paris Saint-Germain. ", In an interview with Barcelona's official magazine, Javier Mascherano outlines Messi's importance to the team. He played on Argentinas victorious 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship squad, represented the country in the 2006 World Cup, and scored two goals in five matches as Argentina swept to the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. [20] At 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, he was at the time the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition. Go to them; give a tiny detail of your team, especially funny aspects of your team. [14][612][613] Messi has long planned to return to Rosario to end his playing career at Newell's. [45], "In my entire life I have never seen a player of such quality and personality at such a young age, particularly wearing the 'heavy' shirt of one of the world's great clubs. Messi led Barcelona to La Liga and Champions League titles the following season, which helped him capture an unprecedented third consecutive world player of the year award. MOFA is the idea of Harambee stars captain and Qatar-based striker Michael Olunga. Five of Messi's six PSG goals in 2021 came in the Champions League, with just one in Ligue 1, though all four of his assists arrived in domestic competition. [82][83] During his first season under Barcelona's new manager, former captain Pep Guardiola, Messi played mainly on the right wing, like he had under Rijkaard, though this time as a false winger with the freedom to cut inside and roam the centre. Using a mathematical simulator theres a 0.01% chance a player would score 31 goals from those shots. [372] After interference from newly appointed Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who had won the tournament in 1992, Messi was permitted to join Sergio Batista's under-23 squad in Beijing. [68][69], After Ronaldinho lost form, Messi became Bara's new star player at only 20 years old, receiving the nickname "Messiah" from the Spanish media. In eight qualifying matches under Maradona's stewardship, Messi scored only one goal, netting the opening goal in the first such match, a 40 victory over Venezuela. A look at Lionel Messi's 2018/19 season", "Messi hits 50 goals for Barca, Madrid ends season to forget", "Lionel Messi injury: Barcelona star to miss USA tour with calf injury just ahead of La Liga season", "Fifa Pusks Award 2019: breakdown of the 10-strong shortlist", "Messi ruled out vs. Betis after injury setback", "Messi won't return until after the international break", "The FIFA Football Awards Voting Results 2019", "Leo Messi breaks another record in Barca win; Juventus ends Inter's unbeaten run", "Messi Sets Record By Scoring In 15th Successive Champions League Season", "Lionel Messi free-kick: Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde 'out of words' after goal", "Messi eclipses Ronaldo's club goal tally after scoring twice for Barcelona", "Lionel Messi equals Cristiano Ronaldo LaLiga hat-trick record", "Lionel Messi steals the show in his 700th Barcelona appearance", "Ballon d'Or: live updates from the ceremony as Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk compete for top award", "Messi's record breaking treble sends Barcelona top", "Barcelona 50 Eibar: Lionel Messi scores four in thumping win", "Lionel Messi sets another LaLiga goalscoring record for Barcelona", "Lionel Messi reaches 700-goal milestone for Barcelona and Argentina", "Messi matches Henry's mark to make LaLiga history", "Stats: Messi second to 20+20, Ronaldo second to 11/11", "Messi stands alone after winning Pichichi award for 7th time", "Barcelona vs. Napoli score: Messi dazzles as Barca advance to Champions League quarterfinals", "Lionel Messi's heaviest defeats: Barcelona's 82 loss to Bayern is star's worst by some way", "The reasons why Messi wants to leave Barcelona", "Messi tells Barca he wants to leave, signaling end of era", "Lionel Messi: Social media reaction to Barcelona legend's transfer request", "Lionel Messi: Barcelona want to 'build team around most important player in the world', "Lionel Messi tells Barcelona he wants to leave but faces legal battle over clause", "Messi desmiente a LaLiga y sigue adelante: no hay clusula de 700 millones", "Messi breaks silence on Barcelona exit saga: 'The president did not keep his word', "Messi's Barcelona heartbreak revealed: From his son's tears, to refusing to go to trial full truth behind 'brutal' transfer saga", "Lionel Messi scores for FC Barcelona in 40 win vs. Villarreal", "Lionel Messi takes fresh aim at Barcelona for 'throwing out' Luis Surez", "Lionel Messi scores, breaks three Champions League records in Barcelona win", "FIFA Best: Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry resumes", "FIFA The Best: Messi, Ronaldo, Lewy nominated", "Barcelona 40 Osasuna: Lionel Messi pays tribute to Diego Maradona", "Lionel Messi passes Pele for most goals with one club (VIDEO)", "Lionel Messi breaks Pel's record for goals at a single club", "Lionel Messi: Which goalkeepers got the 644 bottles of Budweiser beer? 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