Lionel Messi, born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, grew up in a large family that supported his early passion for football.

Messi's grandmother, Celia, played a pivotal role in his football journey by bringing him to an amateur club and convincing his parents to nurture his talent.

At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, but his parents raised funds for treatment, enabling him to continue playing football and grow to 170 cm.

Despite this challenge, Messi joined Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13, where he honed his skills and developed his unique playing style.

Messi attributes his success to a strong work ethic and continuous improvement, overcoming obstacles such as his early health condition.

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history due to his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability.

His dribbling ability, close ball control, and lightning-fast speed allow him to leave defenders behind and create scoring opportunities.

Messi's vision and passing accuracy enable him to assist his teammates in scoring, showcasing his versatility as a player.

He is renowned for his ability to score goals with stunning precision and creativity, making him a constant threat to opposing teams.

Messi's perseverance and brilliance in overcoming defensive structures have distinguished him as a player who consistently excels under pressure.

Throughout his career, Messi has achieved numerous accolades, including winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or a record-breaking eight times.

He led Barcelona to ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles, solidifying his legacy at the club level.

Messi has scored over 826 goals and provided 363 assists in 1052 games, showcasing his extraordinary skill and consistency.

In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory at the World Cup in Qatar, their first win since 1986, and was recognized as the best player of the tournament.

Messi's victory at the World Cup in Qatar is considered the most important step in his career, solidifying his position as one of the greatest players in history.

He has won numerous football titles at the local, continental, and international levels, including the Copa America, the Finalissima Cup, and the World Cup.

Messi holds several individual records, such as scoring 50 goals in La Liga matches in 2012 and setting a record with 86 goals in 66 matches during the 2011-2012 season.

Messi became the first footballer to win four FIFA Golden Balls early in his career, a testament to his exceptional talent and impact.

In October 2023, Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or, becoming the first player from an American team to receive this prestigious award.

Messi's achievements include UEFA Men's Player of the Year, Copa America Best Player, and FIFA World Cup Golden Ball awards.

Despite being nicknamed 'GOAT' (Greatest Player of All Time), Messi has stated that his focus was never on being the best but on achieving smaller, incremental goals.

Messi's approach to success aligns with the 'growth mindset' theory, emphasizing dedication and hard work over innate talent.

It took Messi nearly 16 years and five World Cups to achieve his dream of winning the World Cup, showcasing his perseverance and dedication.

Even after being recognized as a world star, Messi spends long days training to improve his skills and maintain his legendary status.

Messi shared that football has always been a priority in his life, and he has loved playing the sport since a young age.

He revealed that it was his dream to become a professional player and made football the focus of his life.

Messi emphasized the importance of being 100% present to perform and give his best in training and games.

He advised aspiring footballers to never give up on their dreams and to always do their best to achieve them.

Messi acknowledged that pursuing dreams involves sacrifices, physical and mental efforts, and overcoming obstacles.

Roger Federer highlighted Lionel Messi's profound impact on soccer, emphasizing the huge burden of expectations he carries each time he enters the pitch.

Messi has been dominating world soccer for over 15 years and has multiple Ballon D’or trophies to show for his achievements.

Federer praised Messi's consistent greatness over many years, noting how difficult it is to achieve and maintain such a high level of performance.

Federer acknowledged Messi's ability to carry the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders and still deliver clutch performances.

Argentina's World Cup victory, led by Messi, was described by Federer as a magnificent moment in sports history, celebrated by millions worldwide.

Federer believes Messi can inspire future generations, much like Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta inspired him during his childhood.

Lionel Messi considers team championships to be his most important victories, despite having many individual awards.

Lionel Messi is widely considered the greatest football player of all time, topping The Daily Mail's list of the 50 greatest football players.

Messi's rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo shaped football history and pushed both players to achieve unprecedented success.

Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged that Messi and he changed the history of football and shared the stage for 15 years with mutual respect.

Messi has scored 45 more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo despite playing 15 fewer games and fewer minutes.

Messi has registered 132 more assists than Ronaldo by the age of 36, showcasing his superior playmaking ability.

Messi's goals per game, minutes per goal, and minutes per goal/assist statistics are better than Ronaldo's, highlighting his efficiency.

Messi has scored more free-kicks and goals from outside the penalty area compared to Ronaldo, demonstrating his versatility.

While Messi dominates with his left foot, Ronaldo excels with his right foot and heading ability, showcasing their contrasting styles.

Messi has won 38 trophies by the age of 36, compared to Ronaldo's 36 trophies, further solidifying his legacy.

Lionel Messi produced a Man of the Match performance in the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United.

Messi ended the 2010-11 campaign with an impressive record of 53 goals in 55 games, showcasing his dominance during that season.

By 2011, Lionel Messi had already won two Ballon d’Or awards and was being spoken about as arguably the greatest footballer of all time.

Sir Alex Ferguson described Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, featuring Messi, as the best team he had ever faced.

In 2023, Messi joined Inter Miami, citing his desire to escape the constant attention in Europe and spend more time with loved ones.

Messi's childhood friend Antonella Rocuzzo became his wife, and they have three sons together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.

Lionel Messi, born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, grew up in a large family that supported his early passion for football.

Title:

Content: How Lionel Messi was destined to be short, and he became an Olympic champion
The support of loved ones is not just worth a lot, it solves almost everything in this life.
Lionel Messi is the greatest player of modern football.
He is distinguished by perseverance and a brilliant ability to win, overcoming the defensive structures of his rivals.
A footballer has many individual awards and achievements, but the athlete considers the most important victories to be the championship of his team.
Messi's Childhood and Youth
Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina on June 24, 1987.
The footballer grew up in a large family with older brothers Matthias and Rodrigo, as well as sister Maria Sol.
It was a simple family, in which Father Jorge Horacio worked in a metallurgical plant, and mother Celia Maria worked in the service sector.
His upbringing, according to Lionel Messi, he owes most of all to his grandmother Celia.
It was she who brought him to the amateur football club “Grandoli ” when he was five years old.
The coach saw a great talent in the baby and the grandmother convinced his parents to take it seriously and help Lionel for his happy future.
A footballer will remember this all his life and will devote more than one goal to his beloved grandmother.
However, without the support of his parents, he could also forget about football forever as a teenager.
At the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a disease in which there is not enough growth hormone and stops the development of the body.
At that time, Messi was already playing for Newell ’ s Old Boys.
Parents were forced to raise $900 a month in their family budget to treat their son.
As a result, they managed to normalize the condition of the heir, who was able to grow to 170 centimeters with a weight of 72 kilograms.
The father and mother of Lionel Messi believed in his son as a football player definitively and irrevocably and allowed him to leave school with a 7-year education.
After all, it was at this time that he was invited to the football club “Barcelona ” in Europe.
The beginning of the career path, Barcelona
Lionel Messi began his career at Barcelona in 2000, moving to Spain.
Already in the first match of the youth team, the footballer was able to score 4 goals, immediately showing what he is worth.
In 2003, he moved to professional football.
Messi ’ s best performance was in 2012, when he scored 50 goals in La Liga matches.
In the 2011-2012 season, the athlete recorded 86 goals in 66 matches.
Thus, he surpassed German striker Gerd Müller with his 40-year record.
At the same time, Lionel Messi was officially recognized as the first footballer in the world, who was awarded four FIFA Golden Balls.
Already at this time, the striker began to earn 20 million euros per game.
In 2017, Lionel Messi “Barcelona ” extends the contract until 2021, and the player continues to collect“ Golden balls ”.
In 2019, he receives this next award, and FIFA also gives him the award The Best.
A year later, the coronavirus pandemic began in the world, which negatively affected the club Barcelona in this period of time.
Football players were reduced by 70% and obliged to make contributions to pay salaries to ordinary employees.
However, this path was passed, and after the completion of the quarantine, Barcelona immediately prevailed over Mallorca with a score of 5: 2.
However, the club ’ s subsequent results were rather mediocre, which played a role in Messi ’ s decision to move to another club.
In addition, he was dissatisfied with the dismissal of coach Ernesto Valverde, with whom he was very close.
Just so to leave the club Messi failed, he began to demand 700 million euros of compensation.
The footballer was not satisfied with this, and he tried to boycott the work of the club, without going to training and ignoring the mandatory tests for coronavirus.
This struggle for freedom ended with the loss of Lionel Messi, who was forced to continue playing for Barcelona.
However, the game without a desire to fight did not lead to anything good.
In January 2021, in the game for the Spanish Super Cup, the striker received his first red card for a blow to the head of an athlete from the opposing team.
And in the 1 / 8 of the Champions League, Messi ’ s team completely dropped out of the tournament, which has not happened for 14 years.
In the summer of the same year, it became known that Lionel Messi is no longer a member of the Barcelona team.
Contract with PSG
In August, the forward flew to Paris and signed a contract with the best French club PSG until 2023.
The agreement stated that it is possible to extend until 2024.
Messi was assigned the number 30 and the rights of a free agent.
Already in November, Messi proved to everyone that he is still worth a lot, having received the seventh Ballon d ’ Or.
Lionel Messi in the national team of Argentina
In 2018, Messi played as part of the Argentine national team at the 2018 Olympics and received the title of Olympic champion.
In general, the participation of Lionel Messi in the national team of his home country can not be overestimated.
As part of international competitions, he brought 68 goals in 136 matches.
And in 2010, he became the captain of the team, receiving the title of the youngest captain in the history of Argentine football.
In 2016, the forward announced the end of his sports career due to a failed penalty with 11 meters in the game with the national team of Chile.
Nevertheless, 2 years later Messi arrived in Russia for the World Cup, where he was able to get to the 1 / 8 finals with the national team of Argentina, but in the next game with the French was defeated.
After this failure for a long time accompanied the captain of the national team of Argentina.
In the spring of 2019, the team entered the 1 ⁄ 4 Copa America – the result is not bad.
But Messi himself journalists literally crucified with caustic comments about his game in this period.
On the one hand, the athlete admitted that his personal results could have been better.
But, on the other hand, he harshly criticized the coverage of the fields on which he had to play, as well as refereeing during the match with the Brazilian national team.
The international sports community could not pass by Messi ’ s scandalous comments, and he was suspended from participating in world tournaments for three months.
He was also fined $50,000 for insulting a judge.
Later, Lionel Messi took his mind and in 2021 helped the Argentine team to win the Copa América.
And in 2022, at the fifth World Cup in Qatar, Lionel Messi was recognized as the best player of the world Cup, while the Argentine team came to victory at the world Cup for the first time since 1986.
Lionel Messi is currently
In the summer of 2023, Messi ’ s fans were informed that he had decided to leave the French club PSG.
The footballer was talking about a possible contract with the club “Al-Hilal ” from Saudi Arabia, who promised to pay the striker about a billion euros in a couple of years.
Barcelona did not give up, trying to persuade Messi to return to them.
However, the Argentine decided to join the American club “Inter Miami ”, who signed with him a contract for 20.4 million dollars a year.
The athlete himself commented on his choice by the fact that he had long wanted to escape from Europe, where he was constantly in the center of attention and devote more time to loved ones.
In October 2023, Messi was awarded his eighth Golden Ball, he became the first player in the history of the American team to receive this award.
In the same year, Lionel Messi magazine Time named the athlete of the year.
And in the first month of 2024 at FIFA he was recognized as the best player of the year.
He won this title for the third time in his career, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
Lionel Messi's Personal Life
Lionel Messi can not boast of stormy and loud novels in his life, because his main love has always been football.
At the age of 19, he dated Argentinian Macarena Lemos, the relationship with which could not last long because of the constant sports of the star.
It is also known that Messi could not resist the charms of another beautiful Argentinian model of Playboy magazine Luisiana Salazar.
However, this love affair did not last long because of football.
Only his childhood friend Antonella Rocuzzo could understand and accept Lionel Messi completely, which the shift in the boyfriend ’ s sports did not scare a drop, because her brothers played with him in childhood and adolescence on the same field.
They grew up in the same city, knew each other literally from a diaper and easily forgave small offenses.
Therefore, it is not surprising that it was with her that the striker decided to link his life forever.
In November 2012, the couple had a son Thiago, three years later the second heir Mateo was born.
And three years later, Lionel Messi was ripe to take his common-law wife under the crown.
The wedding was celebrated in his native Rosario with chic and secret from the general public.
At the same time, the Argentines invited about 250 guests to the celebration, including world-famous show business and sports stars.
Already in the spring of 2018, Messi and his wife had a third boy named Ciro.
At the moment, the Messi family lives in a luxurious mansion in Florida, which the football player bought for $10 million.
The house has an area of   about 1 thousand square meters. m, stands on the coastline, has its own marine pier.
There is also a private fitness room and a swimming pool in the cottage.
If you notice an inaccuracy in the text, please report it to tele @ teleprogramma.pro.
Read also

Messi's grandmother, Celia, played a pivotal role in his football journey by bringing him to an amateur club and convincing his parents to nurture his talent.

At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, but his parents raised funds for treatment, enabling him to continue playing football and grow to 170 cm.

Despite this challenge, Messi joined Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13, where he honed his skills and developed his unique playing style.

Title:

Content: What Was Lionel Messi Known For?

News

What Was Lionel Messi Known For?

Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Known for his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability, Messi has left an indelible mark on the world of football. From his early days at FC Barcelona to his international success with the Argentine national team, Messi’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi showed immense talent from a young age. He joined the Barcelona youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13, where he honed his skills and developed his unique playing style. Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2004, at the age of 17, and quickly became a key player for the club.

Playing Style and Skills
Messi is known for his exceptional dribbling ability, close ball control, and lightning-fast speed. His low center of gravity allows him to change direction quickly, leaving defenders in his wake. His vision and passing accuracy are also remarkable, enabling him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. However, it is his goal-scoring prowess that truly sets him apart. Messi has an incredible ability to find the back of the net, often with stunning precision and creativity.

Records and Achievements
Throughout his career, Messi has shattered numerous records and achieved countless milestones. He has won numerous individual awards, including the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or, which he has claimed a record-breaking seven times. Messi has also led Barcelona to numerous domestic and international titles, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.

FAQ

Q: What is Messi’s playing position?
A: Messi primarily plays as a forward or attacking midfielder, but his versatility allows him to excel in various positions on the field.

Q: Has Messi ever won the FIFA World Cup?
A: Despite his immense success at the club level, Messi has yet to win the FIFA World Cup with the Argentine national team. However, he has led Argentina to the finals in 2014 and has won several other international tournaments, including the Copa America.

Q: How many goals has Messi scored in his career?
A: As of 2021, Messi has scored over 700 goals in official matches for both club and country.

In conclusion, Lionel Messi is known for his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability. His playing style, records, and achievements have solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Whether it is his mesmerizing dribbles or his ability to find the back of the net, Messi’s impact on the sport will be remembered for generations to come.

Messi attributes his success to a strong work ethic and continuous improvement, overcoming obstacles such as his early health condition.

Title:

Content: A community.
Follow the latest news on social issues and cultural events in the Arab world and the world.
Find out about the latest community news, humanitarian stories, and video reports about community life.
The growth mindset...
How Messi trained his mind to become the "best in history"
© AFP 2022 / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV Lionel Messi
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Argentine football legend Lionel Messi ’ s victory at the World Cup in Qatar is seen as the most important step in his career and strengthens his position with most fans as one of the greatest players in history, or even the best of them all.
Leo Messi, 35, has a full list of football titles, both at the team level including the local, continental and international championships, and at the team level including the Copa America, the Finalissima Cup and finally the most prestigious and expensive tournament, the World Cup.
World Cup 2022
An exciting scene repeated in the World Cup of Qatar, his heroes Maradona and Messi
And, of course, at the individual level, there are several records engraved in his name, in addition to the awards, including "Balloon Dor" or the best player in the world award granted by the magazine "France Football" annually, and Messi received 7 times as the most crowned player.
But Messi ’ s distinction by the international press and the public with the nickname “GOAT ” or“ Goat ”, which means “Greatest Player of All Time ”, was never the goal of the Argentine star, but his focus was on something much simpler.
Messi told France Football magazine last year: “To be the best or not, it doesn ’ t change anything for me.
I never tried to be that. ”
Instead of dreaming of football stardom as a child, Leo focused on achieving smaller goals, completing one after another before moving on to the next goal.
I fought for my dreams.
At first, you were supposed to be a professional player, then I tried to outdo myself and achieve new goals every year.
Lionel Messi
The Argentine football star
This approach is familiar, reminiscent of psychologist Carol Dweck ’ s theory of a “growth mindset, ” which posits that talent is only a starting point.
Dweck wrote in her 2015 study “Growth ”:
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their core abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. ”
© AFP 2022 This set of file images shows then-Argentine Paris Barcelona striker Lionel Messi reacting while winning the Ballon d'Or (top, left to right)
This set of file images shows then-Argentine Paris Barcelona striker Lionel Messi reacting while winning the Ballon d'Or (top, left to right)
There are non-sporting champions and success story holders who have formed their own version of a “growth mindset, ” such as billionaire Mark Cuban and Hollywood star Will Smith.
Studies show that students who acquired a “growth mindset ” by teachers, were able to improve their test scores more than their peers over time.
Of course, Messi has always been a talented athlete, even as a small child and a growth hormone deficient person at the age of 11, but he constantly insists that a strong work ethic was the key to his continued success.
Messi breaks a world record outside of football
Leo spends long days training to keep improving on the pitch.
Although he has long been recognized as a world star and a historical legend, it took him nearly 16 years and five World Cups to finally get the prize he had always dreamed of.
Messi made a huge income during his 18-year career.
He is the best paid athlete in the world for 2022, making almost $130 million this year, according to Forbes.
That includes a basic salary of about $75 million from his club, Paris Saint-Germain, and $55 million from other off-field income.
In other words, being the best is also very profitable.
© AFP 2022 / FRANCK FIFELionel Messi raises the World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar
Lionel Messi lifts World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar
In his interview with France Football, Messi stressed that being among the game ’ s greats at all was never his original goal, but rather the result of working hard to amplify innate talent over many years.
"For me, just being able to be among the best players in the world is more than enough.
It ’ s something I didn ’ t dare imagine or dream about. ”
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Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history due to his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability.

His dribbling ability, close ball control, and lightning-fast speed allow him to leave defenders behind and create scoring opportunities.

Messi's vision and passing accuracy enable him to assist his teammates in scoring, showcasing his versatility as a player.

He is renowned for his ability to score goals with stunning precision and creativity, making him a constant threat to opposing teams.

Messi's perseverance and brilliance in overcoming defensive structures have distinguished him as a player who consistently excels under pressure.

Throughout his career, Messi has achieved numerous accolades, including winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or a record-breaking eight times.

Title:

Content: "I don't see those things like that" - When Cristiano Ronaldo made surprise comment on rivalry with Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo recently discussed his long-time rivalry with Lionel Messi, revealing that the duo were not friends.

Both players have seen their rivalry in Spain shape their lives and drive them to new heights never seen before in football. Currently, they have the most Ballons d'Or awards, racking up a combined 13 in well over a decade.

However, they have since stopped playing in European football. Both Ronaldo and Messi have entered a new chapter in their careers by signing with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Inter Miami in the USA, respectively.

Speaking about their competition at a press conference in September 2023, Ronaldo notably stated (via GOAL):

"If you like Cristiano, you don't have to hate Messi. The two changed the history of football and are respected. Rivalry? I don't see those things like that, we shared the stage for 15 years. I'm not saying we are friends but we respect each other."

Lionel Messi spent the bulk of his career at Barcelona, before moving to France to play for Paris Saint-Germain. He played for only two clubs in Europe, before opting for a move stateside.

Cristiano Ronaldo was more of a journeyman, playing for Sporting, before moving to Manchester United, Real Madrid, and finally Juventus. He returned to England for a short stint with the Red Devils before moving to the Middle East.

Cristiano Ronaldo ranks lower than Lionel Messi in Daily Mail's Top 50 Footballers of all time

Recently, The Daily Mail (via SportBible) released its list of the 50 greatest football players of all time, with Lionel Messi at the top and Cristiano Ronaldo far below, in 10th place.

This list declares the legendary Argentine to be the greatest player ever. In 1052 games so far, he has scored 826 goals, 363 assists, and won eight Ballon d'Or trophies. UEFA Men's Player of the Year, Copa America Best Player, and FIFA World Cup Golden Balls are among the other trophies in his trophy case.

His Portuguese counterpart, on the other hand, has won five Ballon d'Or trophies. In 1213 games till now, he has scored 879 goals and provided 249 assists. Among his honors are the European Golden Shoes, the Champions League top scorer titles, the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award, and the FIFA Puskas award.

After Messi, other legends included Pele, Diego Maradona, Johann Cryuff, Zinedine Zidane, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo Nazario, Garrincha, and Zico, all before Ronaldo.

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Edited by Ankush Das

He led Barcelona to ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles, solidifying his legacy at the club level.

Messi has scored over 826 goals and provided 363 assists in 1052 games, showcasing his extraordinary skill and consistency.

In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory at the World Cup in Qatar, their first win since 1986, and was recognized as the best player of the tournament.

Messi's victory at the World Cup in Qatar is considered the most important step in his career, solidifying his position as one of the greatest players in history.

He has won numerous football titles at the local, continental, and international levels, including the Copa America, the Finalissima Cup, and the World Cup.

Messi holds several individual records, such as scoring 50 goals in La Liga matches in 2012 and setting a record with 86 goals in 66 matches during the 2011-2012 season.

Messi became the first footballer to win four FIFA Golden Balls early in his career, a testament to his exceptional talent and impact.

In October 2023, Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or, becoming the first player from an American team to receive this prestigious award.

Messi's achievements include UEFA Men's Player of the Year, Copa America Best Player, and FIFA World Cup Golden Ball awards.

Despite being nicknamed 'GOAT' (Greatest Player of All Time), Messi has stated that his focus was never on being the best but on achieving smaller, incremental goals.

Messi's approach to success aligns with the 'growth mindset' theory, emphasizing dedication and hard work over innate talent.

It took Messi nearly 16 years and five World Cups to achieve his dream of winning the World Cup, showcasing his perseverance and dedication.

Even after being recognized as a world star, Messi spends long days training to improve his skills and maintain his legendary status.

Messi shared that football has always been a priority in his life, and he has loved playing the sport since a young age.

Title:

Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
Messi offers valuable advice to football players around the world.
Get to know her.
The most famous Argentine football legend Lionel Messi talked about his dreams and ambitions and also gave many tips to footballers to give their best.
Messi said during his meeting with the "Big Time Podcast" program presented by the media Amr Adib channel "MBC": "Football affected my family life because it was always a priority, of course, except for my family was the most important thing and the most important thing first because I love playing football and enjoyed it from a young age."
"It was my dream to become a professional player, I have always lived for the ball and made it the focus of my life, the most important thing is to always be 100% present to perform and give my best in training and games.
Lionel Messi said: "Whatever he wants to be Messi, with sacrifice and physical and mental efforts, it is important for everyone to never give in to their dreams and always do their best to achieve them, certainly during the march there are many obstacles and it is not always easy to reach the dream but they must not stop.

He revealed that it was his dream to become a professional player and made football the focus of his life.

Messi emphasized the importance of being 100% present to perform and give his best in training and games.

He advised aspiring footballers to never give up on their dreams and to always do their best to achieve them.

Messi acknowledged that pursuing dreams involves sacrifices, physical and mental efforts, and overcoming obstacles.

Roger Federer highlighted Lionel Messi's profound impact on soccer, emphasizing the huge burden of expectations he carries each time he enters the pitch.

Title:

Content: Are Roger Federer and Lionel Messi Similar? Rafael Nadal Ridicules Comparisons

Atharva Upasani
|Published September 18, 2023

In an old interview via the Rafael Nadal Fans page on YouTube, tennis great Rafael Nadal was asked about the comparisons between his rival, Roger Federer and soccer superstar, Lionel Messi. Nadal rubbished them categorically with an answer which sounds good objectively, but polarised opinion in the sports world. It also must have perhaps come from a place of Rafael Nadal preferring Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi.

The comparisons have gained significance again recently after Federer took to TIME Magazine to pen a heartfelt tribute to Leo Messi. Federer’s words, laden with praise, resonated with sports enthusiasts across the globe. In his tribute, Federer highlighted the profound impact Messi has had on soccer given the huge burden of expectations on his shoulder each time he enters the pitch.

Rafael Nadal on not believing in Federer-Messi comparisons

Rafael Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo have often been considered similar in the sense of their relentlessness and ability to dig deep in adversity even if it means not looking great while doing it. Their graft and hard work is evident and visible. On the other hand, Roger Federer and Lionel Messi are often compared for their elegance and effortless ease, making their sports look way more easier to play than they actually are.

But Rafael Nadal was quick to brush off any such suggestions in an interview with Marca. He was quoted as saying –

“There is no comparison possible. They are two completely different sports and the characteristics of Messi are not those of Federer nor those of Cristiano are mine.

In fact, this year, Rafael Nadal had reiterated that he still prefers Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi. His views angered Lionel Messi fans, who in turn called Roger Federer better than him.

Roger Federer pays touching tribute to Lionel Messi

In his touching tribute to the Argentine soccer superstar, Roger Federer, who knows a thing or two about winning, acknowledged his longevity and consistency. Messi has been dominating world soccer for well over 15 years now and has multiple Ballon D’or trophies to show for it. Federer hailed Messi’s ability to carry the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulder for so many years and still deliver clutch performances.

“What stands out to me about Messi, 35, is his consistent greatness over so many years. This is so difficult to achieve, and then maintain. My career has just come to an end and I have now realize how much weight we athletes carry. For a football player like Messi, that weight likely feels more massive, as he represents both a world-renowned club and a very passionate country.”

Federer also touched upon Argentina’s World Cup victory, describing it as a magnificent moment in sports history, witnessed by millions as jubilant fans took to the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate. The Swiss legend then reminisced about his own sources of inspiration from Argentine soccer, citing Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta as his childhood favorites. Now, he believes that Messi can inspire future generations, much as Maradona and Batistuta had inspired him.

“Argentina’s World Cup victory was magnificent. Millions of fans’ taking to the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate was an amazing moment in sports, witnessed around the world. Growing up, Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta were my favorite Argentine players. I was lucky enough to meet both of them. Now Messi can inspire future generations. I can only hope we get to see his unique creativity and artistry for a little bit longer. You may miss something incredible from the man of the moment. Thank you, Leo.”

Currently, Lionel Messi is plying his trade in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami, a move that garnered significant attention and shifted the soccer landscape in America to greater heights.

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Atharva Upasani

A creative story teller with attention to detail and experience of working in sports industry, Atharva has over 3 years of experience in content writing. Being a Rafael Nadal fan himself, Atharva has included Rafas' work ethic and winning mentality in various aspects of his life. Atharva has completed his masters in sports journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and has expertise in tennis as well as other sports.

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Messi has been dominating world soccer for over 15 years and has multiple Ballon D’or trophies to show for his achievements.

Federer praised Messi's consistent greatness over many years, noting how difficult it is to achieve and maintain such a high level of performance.

Federer acknowledged Messi's ability to carry the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders and still deliver clutch performances.

Argentina's World Cup victory, led by Messi, was described by Federer as a magnificent moment in sports history, celebrated by millions worldwide.

Federer believes Messi can inspire future generations, much like Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta inspired him during his childhood.

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Lionel Messi is widely considered the greatest football player of all time, topping The Daily Mail's list of the 50 greatest football players.

Messi's rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo shaped football history and pushed both players to achieve unprecedented success.

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Messi has scored 45 more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo despite playing 15 fewer games and fewer minutes.

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Content: Lionel Messi turns 36 today (June 24th).

Happy birthday to possibly the greatest player to have ever played the game.

The Argentine is still going strong - although will continue to do so outside of Europe with Inter Miami.

Who is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Throughout his legendary career, Messi has always been compared to the equally legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.

Who is the GOAT? Who has scored the most goals? Who has the most assists? Who has won the most trophies? Who has won the most Ballons d'Or?

The comparison is only natural. After all, these two freaks of nature are playing in the same era - and were direct rivals at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

But comparing stats is always a little unfair on Messi.

Why? Because Ronaldo is more than two years older than Messi. How is it fair to compare goals scored and achievements gained when Ronaldo has had two extra seasons in his career?

Therefore, the only fair way to compare statistics is by creating a level playing field.

And that's exactly what we've done.

Messi's 36th birthday is the perfect opportunity for us to do that.

We headed to MessivsRonaldo to compare the stats between the two players on their 36th birthday - and there's a clear winner.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo on their 36th birthday

Messi is the clear winner

So, despite playing 15 fewer games than Ronaldo - and fewer minutes - Messi has scored 45 more goals. He's also registered 132 more assists during that time.

It means that Messi's goals per game, minutes per goal and minutes per goal/assist betters Ronaldo.

Messi has also scored one more hat-trick than Ronaldo.

When it comes to the types of goals scored, Ronaldo has 134 penalties to his name compared to Messi's 108. But Messi has scored five more free-kick (62 to 57).

Messi is also the king when it comes to goals from outside of the penalty area with 89. Ronaldo has 56 from 12 yards or more. Messi has also scored more from inside the box.

Unsurprisingly, Messi dominates with his left foot while Ronaldo dominates with his right foot.

And there's no competition when it comes to the heading department with Ronaldo scoring 130, compared to Messi's 26.

We're not entirely sure what 'other body part' means but Messi has three, compared to Ronaldo's two.

Surely that settles it. Messi clearly dominates Ronaldo when it comes to stats at their 36th birthday.

And that's before we even talk about trophies, Ballons d'Or and the World Cup...

Ronaldo had 36 trophies at the age of 36, while Messi has 38 to his name.

Messi's seven Ballons d'Or also beats the five Ronaldo had on his 36th birthday.

Messi has registered 132 more assists than Ronaldo by the age of 36, showcasing his superior playmaking ability.

Messi's goals per game, minutes per goal, and minutes per goal/assist statistics are better than Ronaldo's, highlighting his efficiency.

Messi has scored more free-kicks and goals from outside the penalty area compared to Ronaldo, demonstrating his versatility.

While Messi dominates with his left foot, Ronaldo excels with his right foot and heading ability, showcasing their contrasting styles.

Messi has won 38 trophies by the age of 36, compared to Ronaldo's 36 trophies, further solidifying his legacy.

Lionel Messi produced a Man of the Match performance in the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United.

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Content: Sir Alex Ferguson's blunt response to journalist who asked which Barcelona player he'd sign in 2011

Sir Alex Ferguson described Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as the best team he’d ever faced after his Manchester United side were beaten 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League final.

Fergie’s team, who were beaten 2-0 by the same opponents in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome, were outclassed once again at Wembley.

Pedro put Barcelona 1-0 up midway through the first half before Wayne Rooney levelled the scores before half-time.

But second-half goals from Lionel Messi and David Villa saw Barça lift the European Cup for the fourth time in their history.

"They're the best in Europe, no question about that,” Ferguson said in his post-match press conference, per The Guardian. “In my time as a manager, I would say they're the best team we've faced.

“Everyone acknowledges that and I accept that. It's not easy when you've been well beaten like that to think another way. No one has given us a hiding like that. It's a great moment for them. They deserve it because they play the right way and enjoy their football.”

Ferguson hit out at 'stupid question' after 2011 UCL final

During the same press conference, Ferguson was asked by a journalist which Barcelona player he would sign if he received a blank cheque from United’s owners.

Dismayed by what he’d just heard, the fiery Scot described it as the “most stupid question I’ve heard in my life”.

Ferguson joked and named Javier Mascherano, much to the amusement of everyone listening, before adding: “You’re testing my patience”.

Watch the video here:

Lionel Messi was the obvious answer

While Ferguson’s comment about Mascherano was perhaps a little unnecessary - the Argentina international, who previously played for Liverpool, was a superb defensive player - the legendary United manager clearly felt that the answer was obvious.

Messi had just produced a Man of the Match performance against his team in the final and ended the 2010-11 campaign with 53 goals in 55 games.

The Argentine, who had won two Ballon d’Or awards by this point, was already being spoken about as arguably the greatest footballer of all time.

There’s no doubt that Ferguson, like every other manager, would have signed Messi above any other Barcelona player - including Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Enter Giveaway

Sam Allardyce speaks exclusively to the Football Terrace

Can you get full marks on our Ultimate Lionel Messi quiz?

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Which city was Lionel Messi born and raised?

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Messi ended the 2010-11 campaign with an impressive record of 53 goals in 55 games, showcasing his dominance during that season.

By 2011, Lionel Messi had already won two Ballon d’Or awards and was being spoken about as arguably the greatest footballer of all time.

Sir Alex Ferguson described Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, featuring Messi, as the best team he had ever faced.

In 2023, Messi joined Inter Miami, citing his desire to escape the constant attention in Europe and spend more time with loved ones.

Messi's childhood friend Antonella Rocuzzo became his wife, and they have three sons together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.