Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest football player in the world due to his exceptional career achievements, distinctive playing style, resilience overcoming early adversity, and transformative influence on the sport.

Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, Messi overcame significant challenges through determination and support from family and club, inspiring many.

Messi started his professional career at Barcelona at age 17, becoming renowned for extraordinary dribbling, close ball control, vision, speed, and creative goal-scoring.

His trophy haul includes 44 major titles—10 La Liga championships, 7 Copa del Rey trophies, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, Copa America, Olympic Gold, and the Finalissima.

Recently, he transformed Inter Miami, winning the Leagues Cup and elevating Major League Soccer’s international profile.

Messi holds a record eight Ballon d’Or awards as of 2023, six European Golden Boots, and many top-player honors.

He set records with 91 goals in a calendar year (2012), 73 goals in a single season, and uniquely scored World Cup goals as a teenager, in his twenties, and his thirties.

He is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer (672 goals) and Argentina's top scorer (96 goals), with over 350 assists in more than 1,000 matches.

Compared with legends like Pelé, Messi surpasses many benchmarks including Ballon d’Or wins and breaking Pelé’s single-club goal record.

His rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo highlights contrasting styles: Messi excels in technical skill and creativity, Ronaldo in athleticism and power.

Beyond his skill, Messi’s humility and sportsmanship have made him a global role model.

Messi’s story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness continues to inspire young players worldwide.

His leadership at Inter Miami and ongoing influence highlight his passion and dedication, securing his status as a timeless football icon and source of motivation for future generations.

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest football player in the world due to his exceptional career achievements, distinctive playing style, resilience overcoming early adversity, and transformative influence on the sport.

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.

Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, Messi overcame significant challenges through determination and support from family and club, inspiring many.

Messi started his professional career at Barcelona at age 17, becoming renowned for extraordinary dribbling, close ball control, vision, speed, and creative goal-scoring.

His trophy haul includes 44 major titles—10 La Liga championships, 7 Copa del Rey trophies, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, Copa America, Olympic Gold, and the Finalissima.

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Content: List of all 44 major trophies won by Lionel Messi since 2004

Lionel Messi

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Lionel Messi won his latest career trophy when he captained Inter Miami to cup glory over the weekend.

Messi officially has 44 titles in close to two decades, making him the most decorated footballer in history. His first trophy was back in 2004.

The Leagues Cup was his first trophy on American soil and comes just over a month since his arrival in South Florida.

Last year, the Argentine captain got his hands on the World Cup after several tries as his side defeated France in a tense final.

List of trophies Messi has won since 2004

a. 10 La Liga titles

b. Seven Copa Del Reys

c. Eight Spanish Super Cups

d. Three FIFA Club World Cups

e. Three UEFA Super Cups

f. The FIFA World Cup

g. The Finalissima

h. The Copa America

i. Olympic Gold

j. U20 World Cup

k. Two Ligue 1 titles and

l. One Trophée de Champions.

m. our Champions League wins

Goal.com report on Inter Miami final triumph

Inter Miami have added the first piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet. Just a few short weeks ago, that seemed almost unfathomable. The worst team in MLS taking down every opponent in their path on their way to a trophy? Come on!

A few short weeks ago, though, they didn't have Lionel Messi. They sure do now.

Messi was, unsurprisingly, the star of the show once again as Miami took down Nashville SC at Geodis Park, scoring a stunning goal to kickstart a match that finished 1-1 through 90 minutes. The goal was quintessential Messi: minimal space, a curling shot and no chance for the opposing goalkeeper.

A scrappy goal kept Nashville in the contest, but, even as the match went to penalties, there was no stopping Messi and co. It was a historically good shootout, too, as all 22 players took turns from the spot. Messi, of course, scored his as Miami's first taker, but it wasn't until Nashville SC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco saw his shot saved by Drake Callendar that Miami could celebrate their trophy.

Messi was once again the key to it all. There were few signature moments in the match, and Callendar will certainly go down as the hero, but Messi has done it again. New team, same result: trophy in hand.

SARA
Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Recently, he transformed Inter Miami, winning the Leagues Cup and elevating Major League Soccer’s international profile.

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Content: Lionel Messi, the incredible world record that he has just equaled

Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi.

He won the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami.

Thanks to the League Cup that he achieved this Saturday with the Inter Miami, Lionel Messi won his 44th title and equaled Daniel Alves as the footballer with the most trophies in history.

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The Argentine genius only had his former Brazilian teammate at Barcelona ahead of him in this classification, who is now being judged in Spain for sexual assault.
(Lionel Messi: the great goal that led Inter Miami to the tiebreaker in the Leagues Cup)(Video: Lionel Messi, great detail with the former Inter Miami captain, how great!)

what you have won

But in less than a month at Inter Miami, Messi has radically transformed the dynamics of a losing team (bottom side in the MLS Eastern Conference with eleven games in a row without winning) and has led him to a miraculous career that culminated this Saturday with the victory in the Leagues Cup against Nashville (1-1, 9-10 on penalties).

There is some conflicting information about how many titles Alves actually has and some statistics consider him to have won 43.

However, the FIFAin a 2021 post on X (the old social network known as Twitter), recognized 44 titles in the right-back’s career.

Messi’s impressive track record includes the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa América with Argentina, as well as four Champions League with Barcelona.
(Gerard Piqué, proud: Clara Chía, the ‘Sexy Symbol’ of fashion in Spain)

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Messi holds a record eight Ballon d’Or awards as of 2023, six European Golden Boots, and many top-player honors.

Title:

Content: Highlights

  • The 2010s showcased legendary talent like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, shaping football history for decades to come.
  • 10 of the best players from this era have been ranked based on factors such as skill, impact, and honours earned.
  • Manuel Neuer, Sergio Ramos and Neymar are among the players who shaped a golden decade of football.

The 2010s were an era blessed with unbelievable footballing talent, with many labelling some of the players throughout this era as some of the best to ever play the game. From the greatness of Lionel Messi to the innovation of Manuel Neuer, those 10 years truly had it all.

Picking out the 10 best players to have featured in this period is extremely difficult as there are so many players who are easily ‘world-class’ quality, but a few stand out above the rest. The below list includes the very best that the 2010-2020 decade had to offer in world football. To come to the conclusion of where each football ranks among their peers, the following ranking factors have been considered.

Ranking Factors

  • The ability of each player
  • Impact during the 2010-2020 decade
  • Individual and team honours won throughout the 10 years

10 Greatest Footballers of the 2010s [Ranked]

Rank

Player

Club(s)

1.

Lionel Messi

Barcelona

2.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid, Juventus

3.

Andres Iniesta

Barcelona, Vissel Kobe

4.

Luka Modric

Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid

5.

Xavi

Barcelona, Al Sadd

6.

Luis Suarez

Liverpool, Barcelona

7.

Gareth Bale

Tottenham, Real Madrid

8.

Neymar Jr

Santos, Barcelona, PSG

9.

Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid

10.

Manuel Neuer

Schalke, Bayern Munich

10 Manuel Neuer

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Bayern Munich

It is rare on a ‘top-ten’ list that you see a goalkeeper due to outfield players typically getting all the praise. However, Manuel Neuer revolutionised the position. With over 500 games for Bayern Munich and 100 for Germany, he has had a legendary career in Germany spanning across 20 years.

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Despite being 39 years old, Neuer is still one of the best players in the world, which proves exactly why he is one of the best players of this era. The German shot-stopper won practically everything any player could ever want, including the World Cup in 2014. Neuer is more than deserving of a spot on this list.

Manuel Neuer 2010s Stats

Team

Appearances

Clean Sheets

Bayern Munich

440

216

9 Sergio Ramos

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Real Madrid

Another player who suffers in the same situation as Neuer in terms of being underappreciated is Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard is not only one of the best defenders of the 2010s era but in football history.

Featuring in the UEFA Team of the Year nine times and winning multiple domestic titles in both Spain and France, Ramos possesses an honours list longer than most players could ever dream of. He is no doubt an icon of the game, being an inspiration to so many defenders throughout their careers. The fact he is only ninth on this list shows exactly how good this era of footballers was.

Sergio Ramos' 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Real Madrid

393

69

24

8 Neymar Jr

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Santos, Barcelona, PSG

This list can seem extremely harsh as Neymar is often considered one of the best players of this century, let alone the 2010s decade. However, the sheer talent of his peers finds him at eighth. The Brazilian was part of arguably the greatest strike force of all time at Barcelona during this era, dominating football across Spain and Europe during that time.

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He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil, surpassing the legendary Pele in 2022. Moving to PSG saw even more success for Neymar, winning the Ligue 1 title almost every season he was at the club. All his success saw him establish himself as one of the best in the 2010s.

Neymar Jr's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Santos

90

56

26

Barcelona

186

105

76

PSG

85

70

41

7 Gareth Bale

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Tottenham, Real Madrid

Potentially one of the most underrated players of the 2010s, Gareth Bale burst onto the scene in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and secured his big move to Real Madrid in 2013, where he spent most of his career. Five Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles later, Bale had nothing short of a stellar career in Spain.

Although some love was lost in Madrid by the end of his career, he guided his national side, Wales, to two European Championships and a World Cup, which helped cement his legacy as a footballing legend.

Gareth Bale's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Tottenham Hotspur

161

66

29

Real Madrid

251

105

56

6 Luis Suarez

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Liverpool, Barcelona

One of the best strikers to ever step onto a football pitch, Luis Suarez earned his legacy thanks to a superb career at Barcelona, earning the title of ‘world’s best’ from many former players and managers.

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With 147 goals in 191 matches for the Spanish side, his goalscoring talent is likened to some of the best strikers of all time, like Ronaldo Nazario. Him winning the Golden Boot in the Eredivisie, Premier League, and La Liga are just small details that back up these comparisons. As far as natural strikers in the 2010s, he tops this list comfortably. However, he falls short of the top positions on the overall list.

Luis Suarez' 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Liverpool

133

82

29

Barcelona

283

198

96

5 Xavi

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona, Al Sadd

If this was a list of the best players throughout the 2000s, Xavi could be higher than some of the players above him here. However, his departure from Barcelona in 2015 means that he falls down this ranking slightly.

The fact he still finds himself in the top five while only playing half of the decade shows exactly how good he was. He played 521 times for Barcelona whilst establishing himself as one of the best midfielders ever.

His career performance earned him a place in the Ballon d’Or Dream XI, an all-time football team comprised of the best players ever. A multiple-time La Liga winner and a World Cup Champion, he deservedly earns a spot on this list.

Xavi's 2010s stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

241

42

58

Al-Sadd

101

24

31

4 Luka Modric

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid

In an era full of some of the best footballers we have ever seen, Luka Modric stood out as one of the best that football had to offer. After earning a move from Tottenham to Real Madrid similar to Bale, the midfielder has been a serial winner almost every season he has played for Los Blancos.

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His 25 major trophies in Madrid, including five Champions Leagues, show exactly how good the Croatian is. He also gained the individual praise he deserved from the football world in 2018, as he was awarded the Ballon d'Or award for his tremendous efforts that year. Modric is a generational talent who has become a legend for his club and country.

Luka Modric's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Tottenham

84

9

9

Real Madrid

343

22

48

3 Andres Iniesta

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona, Vissel Kobe

Xavi’s Spanish midfield partner during the golden era of Barcelona, Andres Iniesta, just pipped his ex-teammate to the higher position on this list due to his longevity during the 2010s. Iniesta enjoyed a very similar career to his La Masia counterpart, including scoring one of the most famous goals ever in the 2010 World Cup final to win the tournament for Spain.

His 442 appearances for Barcelona have also seen him win many honours throughout the 2010s. The ‘best of the rest’ in this scenario, Iniesta finishes in a very respectful third place on this list of amazing talent.

Andres Iniesta's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

363

33

69

Vissel Kobe

75

16

19

2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Real Madrid, Juventus

Now onto the two best we have ever seen in football. Despite many debates as to who is first and second on this list, Cristiano Ronaldo just falls to second. Five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions Leagues, seven domestic titles, and a European Championship. What more can be said about the Portuguese phenomenon? With 765 goals in 1020 appearances, he is simply one of the greatest players to grace the sport.

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His incredible work ethic alongside his natural talent has seen him become a true icon of the game and if it wasn’t for arguably the best player of all time, he would certainly be number one on this list.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Real Madrid

403

417

109

Juventus

133

101

20

1 Lionel Messi

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona

One of - if not - the greatest of all time. The 2010s provided a player that people in years to come will be devastated they never got to see play in his prime. Lionel Messi could be listed as the most technically gifted footballer ever.

Earning his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, Messi’s honours list is quite simply astonishing. He has won everything possible in his career including, 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina. A player who will leave a legacy in this sport for the rest of time, Messi will go down as the best player ever in the 2010s era.

Lionel Messi's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

517

507

234

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Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt (Accurate as of 31/05/24)

He set records with 91 goals in a calendar year (2012), 73 goals in a single season, and uniquely scored World Cup goals as a teenager, in his twenties, and his thirties.

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Content: Barcelona (dpa)
The official website of the Spanish football club Barcelona reviewed the achievements of Argentine magician Lionel Messi, and his records during his busy career with the team
The club announced the collapse of contract renewal talks with the player due to "financial and structural obstacles".
Barcelona wrote that the legend Messi holds all the major records in the history of FC Barcelona, having the most games with the team, scoring the most goals, winning the most victories and, most of all, winning the most titles in the club ’ s 121-year history.
Messi has not only broken records in the club ’ s history, he has also not broken local records, but he has a huge number of world and European records.
Barcelona stressed in his website that Messi is not an ordinary footballer, but he is the best in the history of the round witch ever, which was proved by many facts, which the club talked about at length.
Barcelona revealed that Messi is the most crowned "Ballon d'Or", awarded to the best player in the world, after receiving it six times in 2009 and 2010.
2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019
Messi is the only player in history, who collected during one season between the Golden Ball awards, awarded annually by the French magazine « France Football » to the best player in the world, and the best player in the world, provided by the International Federation of Football « FIFA » annually, and the scorer of the season in the Spanish league, and the golden shoes as the best scorers of the season in European leagues, in the 2009-2010 season.
Messi was the youngest player to win three gold balls, aged 24 years, 6 months and 17 days when he won the award for the third time in his career on 9 January 2012.
Messi holds the record as the most Golden Boot winner, having won it six times, and another record is for scoring the most goals in various official competitions during one season.
When he scored 73 goals in all competitions in the 2011-12 season, 50 goals in La Liga, 14 goals in the Champions League, 3 goals in the King's Cup, 1 in the Spanish Super, 1 in the European Super, and 2 in the Club World Cup.
According to the Barcelona website, Messi scored the most goals during the year, when he scored 91 official goals in 2012, and scored the highest number of international goals in the same year with 25 goals, 13 goals in the Champions League with Barcelona, and 12 goals with Argentina, to share the record with the late English striker Vivian Woodward, who scored the same number of international goals in 1909.
Messi achieved a record that remained steadfast for many years, after becoming the most scoring player with one team in various international and domestic championships, after reaching 672 goals with Barcelona in all competitions, surpassing the record held by the Brazilian legend Pele, who scored 643 goals with his Brazilian team Santos between 1956 and 1974.
Messi also set a second record, having the longest scoring streak in La Liga, after scoring 33 goals in 21 consecutive games in the competition, from stage 11 to stage 34 in the 2012-13 season.
Messi scored the most goals in a single season in a European league, after scoring 50 goals for Barcelona in La Liga.
From 2011 to 2012, Messi scored the biggest number of competitors in the Champions League, after scoring in 36 different opponents, surpassing his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Real Madrid, former English Manchester United and the current Italian Juventus, who scored in 35 different competitions.
Messi is the most crowned player with domestic and international titles with a La Liga team, having won 35 titles with Barcelona, three times ahead of his closest former Barcelona teammate Andreas Iniesta.
Messi has won 10 La Liga titles, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 7 Copa del Rey titles, 4 Champions League titles, 3 Club World Cups and 3 European Super Cups.
Messi won the most number of Spanish league goalscorer awards, after winning them in
Eight seasons, the last of which was last season, also tops the list of historical goals of the tournament, having scored 474 goals in 520 games played in the competition with Barcelona.
Messi is the holder of the highest number of goals scored by a player in the Spanish league in various official competitions, with 672 goals, and is also the most scoring player in the Spanish league in international tournaments with 128 goals, 120 goals in the Champions League, 3 goals in the European Super League, and 5 goals in the Club World Cup.
Messi holds another record in La Liga, where he is the most winning player in the tournament, having achieved 383 victories, while he played the largest number of games of the competition with Barcelona, with 778 games, 11 games ahead of his closest pursuers retired teammate Xavi Hernandez.
Of course, Messi tops the list of Barcelona scorers in the Champions League, with a balance
120 goals, surpassing by an overwhelming margin his closest pursuers, retired Brazilian star Rivaldo and Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, current Atletico Madrid player, who scored 25 goals in the continental championship.

He is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer (672 goals) and Argentina's top scorer (96 goals), with over 350 assists in more than 1,000 matches.

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Content: Advertisement
A sport.
He won all the titles except the most expensive.
Lionel Messi ’ s most notable figures throughout his history
18-12-2022 | 01: 30
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Argentine star Lionel Messi aspires to add the most important title to his football career, on Sunday, when the "tango dancers" meet the French team in the final of the 2022 World Cup.
Messi, 35, is seeking to win the 2022 World Cup after Argentina have not won the title since 1986.
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For many, winning the World Cup would cement Messi ’ s status as the greatest footballer of all time after years of controversy and comparison with Portugal ’ s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi ’ s achievements in numbers
Messi scored 791 goals for the clubs he played for and his country.
He has won 41 trophies in his career, as well as a record seven gold balls.
- The star began his football career with the club "Newles Old Boys" at the age of six, and became part of the greatest youth team of Barcelona ever, where he scored 36 goals in 30 games and helped to crown his team with an unprecedented trio in the league and cup.
His first professional appearance came at the age of 17 and 3 months, the youngest Barcelona player ever, in a match against Espanyol in October 2004.
That season he played 244 minutes in nine matches, scoring his first goal against Albacete in May 2005.
In August of that year, Messi made his debut for Argentina in a match against Hungary.
Messi has played 1002 professional matches at the club and national team level.
Messi had 350 assists – 116 more than Ronaldo – and played 143 fewer games than the player.
Messi holds a number of scoring records, including Barcelona (627) and Argentina (96).
Messi also holds the world record for the highest number of goals (71) in a season, beating the previous record of German striker Gerd Mueller of 67 goals, according to the British network "Sky News".
Messi has scored 11 World Cup goals so far in his career, across five tournaments, and is the only player in history to score a World Cup goal in his teens, 20s and 30s.
With 40 international and club titles, winning the World Cup will bring him one step closer to the title of best footballer in history, which is currently held by his former teammate, Brazilian right-back Dani Alves with 42 titles.
Over two decades with Barcelona, Messi has won an astounding 10 La Liga titles, 7 Champions League titles and 15 domestic trophies, and has lifted the Club World Cup and European Super Cup three times each.
With his current club Paris Saint-Germain, he won the French Football League title this season.
Messi has won six European awards for the Golden Boot and the Cup of the Best Player at the 2021 Copa America.
Go ahead.
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Compared with legends like Pelé, Messi surpasses many benchmarks including Ballon d’Or wins and breaking Pelé’s single-club goal record.

His rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo highlights contrasting styles: Messi excels in technical skill and creativity, Ronaldo in athleticism and power.

Beyond his skill, Messi’s humility and sportsmanship have made him a global role model.

Messi’s story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness continues to inspire young players worldwide.

His leadership at Inter Miami and ongoing influence highlight his passion and dedication, securing his status as a timeless football icon and source of motivation for future generations.


Lionel Messi is universally regarded as the number one football player in the world because of his extraordinary career achievements, unique playing style, unmatched skills, and significant influence on the sport both on and off the field.

His journey, marked by dedication, resilience, and success, provides an inspiring example for any young aspiring soccer player.

Messi started his football career early, joining FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, at age 13.

Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, he faced major health and physical challenges that threatened to limit his stature and ability to play.

However, through perseverance, effective medical treatment, and the support of his family and coaches, Messi overcame these obstacles.

His story demonstrates that talent alone is not enough—dedication, humility, and constant work are essential.

Messi himself has said, “My skills have been given to me by the Lord.

I’m trying to improve every day,” reflecting his belief in continual improvement and humility .

Messi’s career achievements have solidified his place in football history.

He has won 44 major trophies, making him the most decorated player ever.

His accolades include 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey trophies, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, and 3 UEFA Super Cups with Barcelona.

After moving to Paris Saint-Germain, he added 2 Ligue 1 titles.

Internationally, Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Copa America in 2021, the Finalissima, an Olympic gold medal, and a U-20 World Cup title early in his career.

In 2023, he won the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami, marking his first major trophy on American soil .

Messi’s playing style is distinctive and extraordinary.

His low center of gravity gives him exceptional balance and agility, allowing rapid changes of direction and resilience against physical challenges.

His dribbling is legendary, involving close, precise ball control combined with explosive pace.

Beyond his physical skills, Messi’s intelligence and vision on the field enable him to find scoring opportunities for himself and create chances through precise passing and assists.

His consistency, creativity, and ability to read the game distinguish him as a player who combines technical brilliance with tactical awareness .

Comparisons with football legends Pelé and Diego Maradona strengthen Messi’s place among the greatest.

Messi surpassed Pelé’s record as the highest scoring player for a single club, netting 672 goals for Barcelona versus Pelé’s 643 for Santos.

Both players exceed 700 official career goals.

Maradona, known for his charismatic and flamboyant style, led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup victory and became a beloved icon.

Messi, described as a ‘machine’ for his technical precision, consistency, and longevity, provides a complementary legacy.

His 2022 World Cup win elevated his status to join Maradona as a national hero.

With seven Ballon d’Or awards—a record—and numerous team and individual honors, Messi’s blend of skill, endurance, and achievement places him at the pinnacle of football history .

Off the pitch, Messi’s influence is profound.

Through the Leo Messi Foundation, he supports numerous charitable projects focused on health, education, and welfare of vulnerable children, primarily in Argentina but also worldwide.

His humility, generosity, and commitment to giving back have made him a role model beyond sport, demonstrating the importance of leadership, compassion, and social responsibility.

His professionalism in training, nutrition, and recovery also sets a standard for aspiring athletes to sustain elite performance .

Like many greats, Messi has faced challenges and criticism.

After Argentina’s loss in the 2016 Copa America final, he briefly retired from international football, overwhelmed by disappointment and criticism.

He returned to captain the national team to triumphs in Copa America 2021 and the 2022 World Cup, exemplifying resilience, passion, and leadership.

His ability to overcome setbacks, maintain focus on teamwork, and embody sportsmanship offers a powerful lesson on perseverance for young players .

In summary, Lionel Messi stands as an iconic figure whose extraordinary achievements, remarkable playing style, enduring consistency, and positive social impact confirm his status as the greatest football player in the world.

His journey from a small boy facing health challenges to a global sports legend exemplifies how passion, humble dedication, and resilience can transform dreams into reality.

For your son, Messi’s example will inspire confidence and joy in playing soccer, showing that with hard work and heart, greatness is within reach.

Lionel Messi is universally regarded as the number one football player in the world because of his extraordinary career achievements, unique playing style, unmatched skills, and significant influence on the sport both on and off the field.

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Content: Did Lionel Messi Go To College?

News

Did Lionel Messi Go To College?

In the world of professional sports, it is not uncommon for athletes to forgo higher education in pursuit of their dreams. Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, is no exception. Born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, Messi’s journey to stardom began at a young age, and his dedication to the sport led him down a different path than that of a traditional college education.

Early Life and Football Career
Messi’s passion for football was evident from a young age. At just six years old, he joined the youth team of his local club, Newell’s Old Boys. His exceptional skills quickly caught the attention of scouts, and at the age of 13, he moved to Barcelona, Spain, to join the prestigious La Masia academy. It was here that Messi’s talent flourished, and he rapidly rose through the ranks to become a key player for FC Barcelona.

Education and College
While Messi’s focus was primarily on his football career, he did receive a basic education during his time in Argentina. Like many young athletes, his commitment to training and matches left little time for formal education. However, it is important to note that in Argentina, primary and secondary education is compulsory, ensuring that Messi received a foundational education.

FAQ

1. Did Lionel Messi attend university?
No, Messi did not attend university. His dedication to football led him to pursue a professional career at a young age.

2. Did Messi complete high school?
While Messi did not complete high school in the traditional sense, he did receive a basic education in Argentina, as primary and secondary education is compulsory.

3. Does Messi regret not going to college?
There is no public information to suggest that Messi regrets not pursuing a college education. His incredible success in football speaks for itself.

In conclusion, Lionel Messi did not attend college. His exceptional talent and early dedication to football propelled him to the heights of the sport, leaving little room for a traditional college education. Nevertheless, Messi’s achievements on the field continue to inspire millions around the world, proving that success can be achieved through passion, hard work, and talent.

His journey, marked by dedication, resilience, and success, provides an inspiring example for any young aspiring soccer player.

Messi started his football career early, joining FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, at age 13.

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.

Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, he faced major health and physical challenges that threatened to limit his stature and ability to play.

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Content: Lionel Messi, Argentina ’ s soccer god, is willing to fill the gap of his career with three gold medals and successfully lead the national team to win the World Cup, once again establishing the status of the world ’ s greatest football player.
As for Macy's private life is very mysterious, low-key he rarely exposed in the community, his achievements also caused scientists to wonder, competing to study 169 centimeters of him, what is hidden in the body of the huge magic.
The legendary six-time Golden Globe winner has scored twice in this World Cup final against France, and scored a winning goal in the PK World War. Lionel Messi, nicknamed "Little Flea", suffered from dwarfism from a childhood growth hormone deficiency and thrived on the patronage of his Barcelona scout Carles Rexach. Up to 169 cm.
However, due to its small size, low center of gravity, the upper and lower limbs have a good balance, so that he has the explosive pace and more stable strength to break away from the enemy.
Physicists have pointed out that people with a lower center of gravity are able to move quickly after their body is moved, just as they are pushed and can quickly stand firm, on the same principle as the weight of the bottom of a building.
Further explain why Messi is still standing when he has a physical collision with his opponent, getting rid of a larger player to tackle the ball, combining the advantages of balance and agility, and can make the opponent dazzle on the field.
At his peak, Messi was able to reach 20 miles per hour and became the top 15 fastest football player in history.
Craig Friedman, a sports performance expert, said that explosiveness and strength are necessary, and that your ankles, hips and torso should be strong enough to effectively transmit power to the ground.
In addition, Messi's diet is also strictly controlled, 5 nutrients such as water, olive oil, whole wheat, fruit, vegetables based, traditional Argentine dishes are mainly meat, which will cause players to consume more cholesterol and fat.
Therefore, following the "Mediterranean diet" is key, and a large number of studies have pointed out that high protein, low carbon water is good for health, maintaining muscle strength and maintaining weight, as well as prolonging life expectancy.
As long as it is "plum powder" knows that in the past, Messi often vomited on the sidelines of half of the game, and at first the outside world thought that he could not withstand the pressure, and later revealed in an interview that it was caused by improper eating.
At that time, Macy said: "I have not had good food for a long time, chocolate, carbonated drinks everything." Then was strictly required to "eat natural", now he will use the national tea Mate tea instead of drinks, away from all kinds of sugar, because this is very bad for the muscles.
What makes Lionel Messi the 'GOAT'?
The science behind the soccer phenom
# Argentina # Champion # Hercules Cup # God of the Ball # King of the Ball

However, through perseverance, effective medical treatment, and the support of his family and coaches, Messi overcame these obstacles.

His story demonstrates that talent alone is not enough—dedication, humility, and constant work are essential.

Messi himself has said, “My skills have been given to me by the Lord.

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Content: Lionel Messi: “My skills have been given to me by the Lord.
I ’ m trying to improve every day. ”
PSG striker Lionel Messi spoke about his style of play.
“I always said that at the age of 4-5 I had the same style as when I started playing in the major league.
I continued to strengthen and improve this gift.
I tried to add every day.
But what I know, no doubt, was given to me by the Lord, ” said the Argentine footballer in an interview with Universo Valdano.

I’m trying to improve every day,” reflecting his belief in continual improvement and humility .

Messi’s career achievements have solidified his place in football history.

He has won 44 major trophies, making him the most decorated player ever.

Title:

Content: List of all 44 major trophies won by Lionel Messi since 2004

Lionel Messi

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Lionel Messi won his latest career trophy when he captained Inter Miami to cup glory over the weekend.

Messi officially has 44 titles in close to two decades, making him the most decorated footballer in history. His first trophy was back in 2004.

The Leagues Cup was his first trophy on American soil and comes just over a month since his arrival in South Florida.

Last year, the Argentine captain got his hands on the World Cup after several tries as his side defeated France in a tense final.

List of trophies Messi has won since 2004

a. 10 La Liga titles

b. Seven Copa Del Reys

c. Eight Spanish Super Cups

d. Three FIFA Club World Cups

e. Three UEFA Super Cups

f. The FIFA World Cup

g. The Finalissima

h. The Copa America

i. Olympic Gold

j. U20 World Cup

k. Two Ligue 1 titles and

l. One Trophée de Champions.

m. our Champions League wins

Goal.com report on Inter Miami final triumph

Inter Miami have added the first piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet. Just a few short weeks ago, that seemed almost unfathomable. The worst team in MLS taking down every opponent in their path on their way to a trophy? Come on!

A few short weeks ago, though, they didn't have Lionel Messi. They sure do now.

Messi was, unsurprisingly, the star of the show once again as Miami took down Nashville SC at Geodis Park, scoring a stunning goal to kickstart a match that finished 1-1 through 90 minutes. The goal was quintessential Messi: minimal space, a curling shot and no chance for the opposing goalkeeper.

A scrappy goal kept Nashville in the contest, but, even as the match went to penalties, there was no stopping Messi and co. It was a historically good shootout, too, as all 22 players took turns from the spot. Messi, of course, scored his as Miami's first taker, but it wasn't until Nashville SC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco saw his shot saved by Drake Callendar that Miami could celebrate their trophy.

Messi was once again the key to it all. There were few signature moments in the match, and Callendar will certainly go down as the hero, but Messi has done it again. New team, same result: trophy in hand.

SARA
Source: www.ghanaweb.com

His accolades include 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey trophies, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, and 3 UEFA Super Cups with Barcelona.

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Content: Barcelona (dpa)
The official website of the Spanish football club Barcelona reviewed the achievements of Argentine magician Lionel Messi, and his records during his busy career with the team
The club announced the collapse of contract renewal talks with the player due to "financial and structural obstacles".
Barcelona wrote that the legend Messi holds all the major records in the history of FC Barcelona, having the most games with the team, scoring the most goals, winning the most victories and, most of all, winning the most titles in the club ’ s 121-year history.
Messi has not only broken records in the club ’ s history, he has also not broken local records, but he has a huge number of world and European records.
Barcelona stressed in his website that Messi is not an ordinary footballer, but he is the best in the history of the round witch ever, which was proved by many facts, which the club talked about at length.
Barcelona revealed that Messi is the most crowned "Ballon d'Or", awarded to the best player in the world, after receiving it six times in 2009 and 2010.
2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019
Messi is the only player in history, who collected during one season between the Golden Ball awards, awarded annually by the French magazine « France Football » to the best player in the world, and the best player in the world, provided by the International Federation of Football « FIFA » annually, and the scorer of the season in the Spanish league, and the golden shoes as the best scorers of the season in European leagues, in the 2009-2010 season.
Messi was the youngest player to win three gold balls, aged 24 years, 6 months and 17 days when he won the award for the third time in his career on 9 January 2012.
Messi holds the record as the most Golden Boot winner, having won it six times, and another record is for scoring the most goals in various official competitions during one season.
When he scored 73 goals in all competitions in the 2011-12 season, 50 goals in La Liga, 14 goals in the Champions League, 3 goals in the King's Cup, 1 in the Spanish Super, 1 in the European Super, and 2 in the Club World Cup.
According to the Barcelona website, Messi scored the most goals during the year, when he scored 91 official goals in 2012, and scored the highest number of international goals in the same year with 25 goals, 13 goals in the Champions League with Barcelona, and 12 goals with Argentina, to share the record with the late English striker Vivian Woodward, who scored the same number of international goals in 1909.
Messi achieved a record that remained steadfast for many years, after becoming the most scoring player with one team in various international and domestic championships, after reaching 672 goals with Barcelona in all competitions, surpassing the record held by the Brazilian legend Pele, who scored 643 goals with his Brazilian team Santos between 1956 and 1974.
Messi also set a second record, having the longest scoring streak in La Liga, after scoring 33 goals in 21 consecutive games in the competition, from stage 11 to stage 34 in the 2012-13 season.
Messi scored the most goals in a single season in a European league, after scoring 50 goals for Barcelona in La Liga.
From 2011 to 2012, Messi scored the biggest number of competitors in the Champions League, after scoring in 36 different opponents, surpassing his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Real Madrid, former English Manchester United and the current Italian Juventus, who scored in 35 different competitions.
Messi is the most crowned player with domestic and international titles with a La Liga team, having won 35 titles with Barcelona, three times ahead of his closest former Barcelona teammate Andreas Iniesta.
Messi has won 10 La Liga titles, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 7 Copa del Rey titles, 4 Champions League titles, 3 Club World Cups and 3 European Super Cups.
Messi won the most number of Spanish league goalscorer awards, after winning them in
Eight seasons, the last of which was last season, also tops the list of historical goals of the tournament, having scored 474 goals in 520 games played in the competition with Barcelona.
Messi is the holder of the highest number of goals scored by a player in the Spanish league in various official competitions, with 672 goals, and is also the most scoring player in the Spanish league in international tournaments with 128 goals, 120 goals in the Champions League, 3 goals in the European Super League, and 5 goals in the Club World Cup.
Messi holds another record in La Liga, where he is the most winning player in the tournament, having achieved 383 victories, while he played the largest number of games of the competition with Barcelona, with 778 games, 11 games ahead of his closest pursuers retired teammate Xavi Hernandez.
Of course, Messi tops the list of Barcelona scorers in the Champions League, with a balance
120 goals, surpassing by an overwhelming margin his closest pursuers, retired Brazilian star Rivaldo and Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, current Atletico Madrid player, who scored 25 goals in the continental championship.

After moving to Paris Saint-Germain, he added 2 Ligue 1 titles.

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Content: Filed under:

Lionel Messi is headed to MLS

It’s happening.

Lionel Messi, one of the most decorated players in world football history, is headed to Major League Soccer, a watershed moment for the 27-year-old league.

Messi, in a joint interview with Spain’s Mundo Deportivo and Sport, revealed that he would join Inter Miami CF after 2 seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. Inter Miami tweeted a hype video moments later ahead of its official announcement.

The 35-year-old spent his entire professional career with FC Barcelona before joining the French superpower. With Barcelona, he scored 474 times over 520 appearances, winning La Liga 10 times and the UEFA Champions League 4 times. He also won the Ballon d’Or 6 times.

Messi then made his way to PSG, with whom he won Ligue 1 twice while adding a 7th Ballon d’Or. He combined for 32 goals in 58 appearances for the Parisian side.

His crowning achievement, though, came in the winter, when he won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina, La Albiceleste’s first world championship triumph since 1986.

Messi’s decision easily surpasses that of another high-profile player to ply his trade in North America. Sixteen years ago, David Beckham sent shockwaves through the sport as he signed for the LA Galaxy after spells at both Manchester United and Real Madrid. As a result, MLS created the Designated Player rule (aka the “Beckham rule”) to provide a pathway for higher-profile players to sign for clubs with only a portion of their annual salary counting toward the cap. Beckham, of course, is a part-owner of Inter Miami, along with brothers Jorge and Jose Mas.

Now, all eyes will be on Messi as he makes his own stateside move to South Florida, one that has massive implications for MLS on a global scale.

Internationally, Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Copa America in 2021, the Finalissima, an Olympic gold medal, and a U-20 World Cup title early in his career.

In 2023, he won the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami, marking his first major trophy on American soil .

Messi’s playing style is distinctive and extraordinary.

His low center of gravity gives him exceptional balance and agility, allowing rapid changes of direction and resilience against physical challenges.

His dribbling is legendary, involving close, precise ball control combined with explosive pace.

Beyond his physical skills, Messi’s intelligence and vision on the field enable him to find scoring opportunities for himself and create chances through precise passing and assists.

His consistency, creativity, and ability to read the game distinguish him as a player who combines technical brilliance with tactical awareness .

Title:

Content: Chelsea and Barcelona in head-to-head battle for 16-year-old dubbed the ‘Swedish Messi’

Posted by

Every so often a generational talent comes along that leaves football watchers open-mouthed, and that’s certainly the case with 16-year-old Roony Bardghji.

Though he represents Sweden, he was actually born in Kuwait to Syrian parents, and is currently plying his trade in the Danish top-flight with FC Copenhagen.

It’s fair to say that he’s making quite the impression too.

A heady mix of skills together with the right temperament to make it to the very top of the game have seen him, perhaps unfairly at this stage, being handed the moniker of the ‘Swedish Messi.’

Despite the pressure of living up to such standards, the youngster continues to set the league alight, and it was never going to be long before the giants of European football came circling.

At this stage, there’s nothing to suggest that Copenhagen would be willing to part with the player, however, Goal.com report that Chelsea and Barcelona have already sent scouts to watch him in action.

MORE: Collymore’s INCREDIBLE suggestion

Both clubs would offer the player something different in terms of a move to either being a significant step up in quality.

Given how he has approached any challenge set him thus far, it would be a surprise if he weren’t able to negotiate any more hurdles put in front of him in the same way that he has to this point.

If anyone were in any doubt whatsoever that Roony was destined for the very top, they only need listen to the words of Sweden’s U17 manager, Roger Franzen, when speaking to Sportexpressen.

“He has exceptional qualities that stand out. He has an understanding of the game, as well as good balance and coordination, which means that he has exceptional technique with the ball at his feet. It’s incredibly difficult to take the ball off him.

“He is good one on one and has a good shot. He can shoot with both feet, even if he is basically left-footed, he can finish with the right as well. That makes him very difficult to read for the defenders. Will he go right or left? It makes him difficult to handle.”

More Stories Lionel Messi Roony Bardghji

Comparisons with football legends Pelé and Diego Maradona strengthen Messi’s place among the greatest.

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Content: Highlights

  • The 2010s showcased legendary talent like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, shaping football history for decades to come.
  • 10 of the best players from this era have been ranked based on factors such as skill, impact, and honours earned.
  • Manuel Neuer, Sergio Ramos and Neymar are among the players who shaped a golden decade of football.

The 2010s were an era blessed with unbelievable footballing talent, with many labelling some of the players throughout this era as some of the best to ever play the game. From the greatness of Lionel Messi to the innovation of Manuel Neuer, those 10 years truly had it all.

Picking out the 10 best players to have featured in this period is extremely difficult as there are so many players who are easily ‘world-class’ quality, but a few stand out above the rest. The below list includes the very best that the 2010-2020 decade had to offer in world football. To come to the conclusion of where each football ranks among their peers, the following ranking factors have been considered.

Ranking Factors

  • The ability of each player
  • Impact during the 2010-2020 decade
  • Individual and team honours won throughout the 10 years

10 Greatest Footballers of the 2010s [Ranked]

Rank

Player

Club(s)

1.

Lionel Messi

Barcelona

2.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid, Juventus

3.

Andres Iniesta

Barcelona, Vissel Kobe

4.

Luka Modric

Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid

5.

Xavi

Barcelona, Al Sadd

6.

Luis Suarez

Liverpool, Barcelona

7.

Gareth Bale

Tottenham, Real Madrid

8.

Neymar Jr

Santos, Barcelona, PSG

9.

Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid

10.

Manuel Neuer

Schalke, Bayern Munich

10 Manuel Neuer

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Bayern Munich

It is rare on a ‘top-ten’ list that you see a goalkeeper due to outfield players typically getting all the praise. However, Manuel Neuer revolutionised the position. With over 500 games for Bayern Munich and 100 for Germany, he has had a legendary career in Germany spanning across 20 years.

Related
50 Best Goalkeepers of All Time Ranked From ‘Safe Hands’ to ‘Greatest Ever’
The 50 best goalkeepers of all time (male and female) have been ranked into six different categories.

Despite being 39 years old, Neuer is still one of the best players in the world, which proves exactly why he is one of the best players of this era. The German shot-stopper won practically everything any player could ever want, including the World Cup in 2014. Neuer is more than deserving of a spot on this list.

Manuel Neuer 2010s Stats

Team

Appearances

Clean Sheets

Bayern Munich

440

216

9 Sergio Ramos

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Real Madrid

Another player who suffers in the same situation as Neuer in terms of being underappreciated is Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard is not only one of the best defenders of the 2010s era but in football history.

Featuring in the UEFA Team of the Year nine times and winning multiple domestic titles in both Spain and France, Ramos possesses an honours list longer than most players could ever dream of. He is no doubt an icon of the game, being an inspiration to so many defenders throughout their careers. The fact he is only ninth on this list shows exactly how good this era of footballers was.

Sergio Ramos' 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Real Madrid

393

69

24

8 Neymar Jr

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Santos, Barcelona, PSG

This list can seem extremely harsh as Neymar is often considered one of the best players of this century, let alone the 2010s decade. However, the sheer talent of his peers finds him at eighth. The Brazilian was part of arguably the greatest strike force of all time at Barcelona during this era, dominating football across Spain and Europe during that time.

3:23
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Brazil's 18 Greatest Ever Footballers (Ranked)
Ronaldo, Pele, Ronaldinho, Neymar and Kaka all feature as 18 the greatest Brazilian players ever are ranked.

He is also the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil, surpassing the legendary Pele in 2022. Moving to PSG saw even more success for Neymar, winning the Ligue 1 title almost every season he was at the club. All his success saw him establish himself as one of the best in the 2010s.

Neymar Jr's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Santos

90

56

26

Barcelona

186

105

76

PSG

85

70

41

7 Gareth Bale

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Tottenham, Real Madrid

Potentially one of the most underrated players of the 2010s, Gareth Bale burst onto the scene in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and secured his big move to Real Madrid in 2013, where he spent most of his career. Five Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles later, Bale had nothing short of a stellar career in Spain.

Although some love was lost in Madrid by the end of his career, he guided his national side, Wales, to two European Championships and a World Cup, which helped cement his legacy as a footballing legend.

Gareth Bale's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Tottenham Hotspur

161

66

29

Real Madrid

251

105

56

6 Luis Suarez

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Liverpool, Barcelona

One of the best strikers to ever step onto a football pitch, Luis Suarez earned his legacy thanks to a superb career at Barcelona, earning the title of ‘world’s best’ from many former players and managers.

Related
15 Greatest Barcelona Players of All Time [Ranked]
Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario all feature among Barcelona's greatest ever players.

With 147 goals in 191 matches for the Spanish side, his goalscoring talent is likened to some of the best strikers of all time, like Ronaldo Nazario. Him winning the Golden Boot in the Eredivisie, Premier League, and La Liga are just small details that back up these comparisons. As far as natural strikers in the 2010s, he tops this list comfortably. However, he falls short of the top positions on the overall list.

Luis Suarez' 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Liverpool

133

82

29

Barcelona

283

198

96

5 Xavi

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona, Al Sadd

If this was a list of the best players throughout the 2000s, Xavi could be higher than some of the players above him here. However, his departure from Barcelona in 2015 means that he falls down this ranking slightly.

The fact he still finds himself in the top five while only playing half of the decade shows exactly how good he was. He played 521 times for Barcelona whilst establishing himself as one of the best midfielders ever.

His career performance earned him a place in the Ballon d’Or Dream XI, an all-time football team comprised of the best players ever. A multiple-time La Liga winner and a World Cup Champion, he deservedly earns a spot on this list.

Xavi's 2010s stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

241

42

58

Al-Sadd

101

24

31

4 Luka Modric

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid

In an era full of some of the best footballers we have ever seen, Luka Modric stood out as one of the best that football had to offer. After earning a move from Tottenham to Real Madrid similar to Bale, the midfielder has been a serial winner almost every season he has played for Los Blancos.

Related
10 Greatest Croatian Players in Football History [Ranked]
Though its history remains young, Croatia have already built a reputation for producing some of Europe's most beguiling footballers.

His 25 major trophies in Madrid, including five Champions Leagues, show exactly how good the Croatian is. He also gained the individual praise he deserved from the football world in 2018, as he was awarded the Ballon d'Or award for his tremendous efforts that year. Modric is a generational talent who has become a legend for his club and country.

Luka Modric's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Tottenham

84

9

9

Real Madrid

343

22

48

3 Andres Iniesta

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona, Vissel Kobe

Xavi’s Spanish midfield partner during the golden era of Barcelona, Andres Iniesta, just pipped his ex-teammate to the higher position on this list due to his longevity during the 2010s. Iniesta enjoyed a very similar career to his La Masia counterpart, including scoring one of the most famous goals ever in the 2010 World Cup final to win the tournament for Spain.

His 442 appearances for Barcelona have also seen him win many honours throughout the 2010s. The ‘best of the rest’ in this scenario, Iniesta finishes in a very respectful third place on this list of amazing talent.

Andres Iniesta's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

363

33

69

Vissel Kobe

75

16

19

2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Real Madrid, Juventus

Now onto the two best we have ever seen in football. Despite many debates as to who is first and second on this list, Cristiano Ronaldo just falls to second. Five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions Leagues, seven domestic titles, and a European Championship. What more can be said about the Portuguese phenomenon? With 765 goals in 1020 appearances, he is simply one of the greatest players to grace the sport.

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Ronaldo broke yet another record for Al-Nassr becoming the highest Saudi Pro League goalscorer in a single season

His incredible work ethic alongside his natural talent has seen him become a true icon of the game and if it wasn’t for arguably the best player of all time, he would certainly be number one on this list.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Real Madrid

403

417

109

Juventus

133

101

20

1 Lionel Messi

Clubs between 2010 and 2020: Barcelona

One of - if not - the greatest of all time. The 2010s provided a player that people in years to come will be devastated they never got to see play in his prime. Lionel Messi could be listed as the most technically gifted footballer ever.

Earning his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, Messi’s honours list is quite simply astonishing. He has won everything possible in his career including, 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina. A player who will leave a legacy in this sport for the rest of time, Messi will go down as the best player ever in the 2010s era.

Lionel Messi's 2010s Stats

Club

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Barcelona

517

507

234

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Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt (Accurate as of 31/05/24)

Messi surpassed Pelé’s record as the highest scoring player for a single club, netting 672 goals for Barcelona versus Pelé’s 643 for Santos.

Both players exceed 700 official career goals.

Maradona, known for his charismatic and flamboyant style, led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup victory and became a beloved icon.

Messi, described as a ‘machine’ for his technical precision, consistency, and longevity, provides a complementary legacy.

His 2022 World Cup win elevated his status to join Maradona as a national hero.

With seven Ballon d’Or awards—a record—and numerous team and individual honors, Messi’s blend of skill, endurance, and achievement places him at the pinnacle of football history .

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Content: Lionel Messi, Argentina

The number one player on this list is obvious: the world’s biggest star, the game’s best talent for over 15 years now, and top three among the all-time greats. Messi’s dazzling skill for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain has earned four Champions Leagues, 11 domestic league titles across Spain and France, and a record seven Ballon D’Or trophies — soccer’s most famous player of the year award.

Last year, he finally lifted silverware with Argentina, delivering the country’s record-tying 15th Copa América. It was the nation’s first continental crown since 1993, and Messi was runner-up in 2007, 2015 and 2016. The last two came after a runner-up finish at the 2014 World Cup.

At age 35, Messi doesn’t have the speed he used to, but he has as much skill and guile as ever. And he has a stacked squad of Argentina teammates that complement him and bring their own firepower: Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan), Ángel Di María (Juventus), Rodrigo De Paul (Atlético Madrid), and a crown-jewel young prospect in Julián Álvarez (Manchester City).

They’re fired up, they’re hungry, and they’re on a 35-game winning streak dating back to 2019. If Argentina win it all, the triumph will be celebrated across the globe, and Messi will be enshrined above Pelé and Diego Maradona as the greatest of all time.

» READ MORE: Lionel Messi's Argentina beat Andre Blake's Jamaica in a World Cup warmup game

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

He’s Messi’s longtime foil, among fans worldwide and for years in Spain. When Ronaldo was at Real Madrid and Messi was at Barcelona, the world stopped for two hours.

The debate was also fueled by their national team feats. Ronaldo has five European Cups to Messi’s four, and for five years he had the national team trophy that Messi didn’t: the 2016 European Championship.

As with any great sports rivalry, fans of one of the players often disdain the other. But Ronaldo, it must be said, is rather more disdainable. Yes, he’s got an outrageous career goals total, with 701 club goals in 949 games and 117 national team goals in 191 caps. And he’s got a body that seems to have been sculpted by the Greek gods, not just the soccer gods.

He’s also got an ego to match, and it rubs a lot of people the wrong way. He isn’t afraid to throw a public tantrum, as he did just a few days ago about his lack of playing time at Manchester United. And he stood accused for over a decade of committing a rape in 2009 in Las Vegas. A lawsuit about it was dismissed this past June.

Ronaldo is 37 now. This will be his last World Cup. Will he go out with a swan song, or with another combustion?

» READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo played against the Union with Real Madrid in 2011

Kylian Mbappé, France

France’s 2018 World Cup title launched a then-19-year-old Mbappé to superstardom. He’s still there, as the flagship player for his country and its biggest club, Paris Saint-Germain. In fact, he’s such a big deal that French president Emmanuel Macron reportedly asked Mbappé to turn down a move to Real Madrid this summer.

We’ll never know if it truly helped, because PSG -- which is owned by Qatari royals -- had the money to keep Mbappé. The club also gave Mbappé a lot of power off the field, and he has used it to build his business interests.

Now comes a new challenge: lifting his country to a second straight World Cup. There hasn’t been a repeat men’s champion since Pelé's Brazil in 1958 and 1962. France has the talent to do it, but also has locker-room friction that Mbappé has been part of. And history brings an omen: Les Bleus crashed out in 2002 after winning it all in 1998.

Sadio Mané, Senegal

Only three African teams in men’s World Cup history have reached the quarterfinals: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010. This year’s Senegal squad has the talent to match them, and potentially go a step farther.

Nine months after winning the Africa Cup of Nations, the Lions of Teranga arrive in Qatar full of talent and optimism. Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and centerback Kalidou Koulibaly are defensive rocks, while Bayern Munich’s Mané leads the attack.

Mané suffered a right fibula injury playing for Bayern on Nov. 8. He was named to the World Cup team, but he’s racing the clock to be fit. Whether he makes it is one of the tournament’s biggest on-field questions this week.

Bukayo Saka, England

England has its best chance in decades to win its first World Cup since 1966, and Saka is a big reason why. The 21-year-old from London is an electric winger for the Three Lions and Arsenal, and has one of both teams’ most engaging personalities.

Gavi, Spain

Just 18 years old, the Barcelona midfielder has jumped up the line of the world’s top young prospects. This year, he won two of Europe’s top awards for players under age 21: France Football’s Kopa Trophy (the same publication runs the Ballon D’Or), and the Golden Boy trophy organized by newspapers across the continent.

Gavi is already a regular player for his club and has 12 senior Spain caps. This World Cup could be his global breakout.

Jamal Musiala, Germany

Another of this World Cup’s big-time youngsters will face Gavi in the group stage. Musiala, 19, has rocketed to prominence with Bayern Munich and Germany this year. In just the half-season so far with Bayern, he has 12 goals and 10 assists in 22 games.

Not much is expected in Qatar of a German squad whose mix of ages isn’t quite right. But if Musiala takes off, he could take Die Mannschaft on a big run.

Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium

If you watch the English Premier League, you know that De Bruyne is the midfield maestro for powerhouse Manchester City. There are few more technically-gifted players on the planet, especially in his part of the field.

Four years ago, he helped the Red Devils to fourth place, the nation’s best World Cup finish. This year’s team has lots of talent, but De Bruyne is one of 11 players among the squad of 26 who’s age 30 or older. That’s a warning sign that a repeat run might not happen.

Vinícius Jr.

We’ve saved the best national team for last, or at least the world’s most famous one. No team has more World Cups than Brazil’s five, and the Seleçao are a big betting favorite to make it six this year. They have immense talent at every position, from defense up to the front line.

If you were expecting to see Neymar’s name here, that’s understandable. He’s Brazil’s biggest star of all, But Vinícius is a player you want to know about. He’s been ticketed for stardom since his childhood days in Rio de Janeiro, and he has lived up to the hype at Real Madrid.

Now age 22, he has 10 goals and 5 assists in 22 games this season, after scoring the winner in last season’s Champions League final. Many of his plays have gone straight onto highlight reels, accompanied by great dancing celebrations.

Off the pitch, Messi’s influence is profound.

Through the Leo Messi Foundation, he supports numerous charitable projects focused on health, education, and welfare of vulnerable children, primarily in Argentina but also worldwide.

His humility, generosity, and commitment to giving back have made him a role model beyond sport, demonstrating the importance of leadership, compassion, and social responsibility.

His professionalism in training, nutrition, and recovery also sets a standard for aspiring athletes to sustain elite performance .

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Content: Ben Young has been a part of a World Cup, a Euros and is now helping the greatest player of all time.

Young, 37, is Inter Miami’s Head of Strength and Conditioning with the club boasting a stellar cast list including Lionel Messi plus the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. But Young - who graduated with a sport and exercise science degree from the University of Gloucestershire - started his career in rugby under Eddie Jones at Saracens before moving into football.

Young worked with the Lionesses at two World Cups, a Euros as the lead physical performance coach and was part of Gareth Southgate ’s set-up at the Qatar World Cup before moving to Miami in January 2023. His role in sport has become irreplaceable, a huge part of football and the likes of Messi - especially at the age of 36 - are benefitting from Young’s expertise as he looks after strength and conditioning, player loading and rehabilitation.

Young said: “Messi is first in, last out, a true professional. He does his own individual activation and strength sessions, he will even be in training the next day after being away in an international camp in Argentina.

"He’s in his rhythm, his routine and that is why he’s at the top and has stayed there. He ticks all the boxes, he pushes himself but also does all his recovery work.

“We always want to make sure that the players can thrive in the most intense parts of the game and you do that by the training we expose them to. We systematically expose the players to various training stimuli that mimic the demand of the game and when appropriate we exceed the game demands to ensure they are completely prepared for the toughest of moments.

“To offset this work we are also continually educating the players on the importance of recovery, nutrition and make sure your recovery is good and sleep in that process to make sure they can keep training and playing at that intensity. Messi is getting individual treatment, massage and recovery which shows the importance of having people close to you who you can rely on.”

Messi’s arrival has made Inter Miami the hottest ticket in town and the world ’s greatest player is helping transform the sport in a way that David Beckham did with La Galaxy. Young said “With the World Cup coming up in 2026, it’s really exciting to be a part of it. Football here is just incredible and the sport is growing so much.

"I personally love America, after the 2015 World Cup, I travelled around North America and always loved it for the show they put on around every sport. I love the country for its different states and different cultures in every state."

Young, a dad of two whose family now live in the States, has great experience having worked at the Football Association and with some of football’s biggest names. But within that comes one of the biggest qualities which is trust. Close relationships are vital for a coach in his field.

Young added: “Without trust, you can’t ask the player to buy in. It’s about meeting the player at the right level and then beginning that coaching relationship of both challenge and support.

“Some athletes want to do absolutely everything they can on and off the field, other players you have to slowly influence by supporting them and adding value into their routine. Once you have trust and buy-in you can start to influence their training to ensure they are achieving their targets.

“Football is getting more and more demanding. The game is getting faster, more intense and the players get through more work in every game.

“So I think all the guys now appreciate the importance of the physical training and unfortunately even the players that do not enjoy the physical work often might become believers after they have an injury. If you were working with only one player and you only had one game per week it would be a fairly simple role, but it can get quickly complex as you have up to 30 players which will be all in different physical states and have different needs.

“Some players will be playing regularly, some maybe regular players off the bench and some might not be playing regularly but need to be ready and 100% when they get called up. In addition, you then add multiple games per week, travel and injuries you can start to understand the complexity of getting and keep a squad fit throughout a gruelling season.

“That’s where it becomes difficult and a challenge, but it is a hugely enjoyable and rewarding one!”

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Like many greats, Messi has faced challenges and criticism.

After Argentina’s loss in the 2016 Copa America final, he briefly retired from international football, overwhelmed by disappointment and criticism.

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Content: Lionel Messi has thanked the Argentinian Football Association after they renamed the national team's training centre after him.

Messi, 35, led his country to victory at last year's World Cup. The forward was outstanding in Qatar, as he scored seven goals - including two in the final against France - and provided three assists. He also received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

Argentina played their first game since the World Cup final on Thursday night, when they defeated Panama 2-0 in Buenos Aires. The friendly was viewed as a homecoming for Lionel Scaloni's side, with each player receiving a replica of the World Cup trophy.

Thursday night's game was also Messi's first in Argentina since the tournament in Qatar, as he plays his club football for Paris Saint-Germain in France. As such, the Argentinian Football Association were keen to show their gratitude to their skipper.

Messi was informed of his latest honour on Saturday and was clearly overwhelmed by it. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote on Instagram, "This recognition is one of the nicest I've ever received. A great honour, thank you very much."

Messi struggled to hold back the tears ahead of Argentina's game against Panama, as they were serenaded by thousands of fans inside El Monumental. The veteran responded by scoring a stunning free kick, with Thiago Almada also finding the net.

Is Lionel Messi the greatest footballer in history? Let us know in the comments below!

For a while, it seemed as if Messi was going to finish his career without a single international honour at senior level. The Paris Saint-Germain forward lost the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals - as well as the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil.

Messi even retired from international football in 2016, such was his disappointment. Although he was persuaded to continue playing for Argentina later that year, a poor showing at the tournament in Russia in 2018 suggested his World Cup dream was over.

Yet the appointment of Scaloni as manager after that tournament, initially on an interim basis, brought new hope for Messi. Argentina won the Copa America in July 2021, the Finalissima in June 2022 and finally the World Cup five months later.

Argentina's World Cup triumph was dramatic. Messi's side stormed into a 2-0 lead before a late brace from Kylian Mbappe forced the game into extra time. After Messi restored Argentina's advantage, Mbappe scored from the spot to complete his hat-trick.

Thanks to the heroics of Emiliano Martinez, Argentina won on penalties to finally complete Messi's trophy cabinet. It also helped the skipper fulfil his prophecy as the rightful heir to Diego Maradona's throne in Argentina. Maradona sadly passed away in 2020.

Despite winning everything in the game, Messi is determined to continue playing for Argentina. Scaloni's side will defend their Copa America title in the summer of 2024, while Messi may even want to play in the next World Cup in three years' time. He will be 39 when the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico concludes.

He returned to captain the national team to triumphs in Copa America 2021 and the 2022 World Cup, exemplifying resilience, passion, and leadership.

His ability to overcome setbacks, maintain focus on teamwork, and embody sportsmanship offers a powerful lesson on perseverance for young players .

In summary, Lionel Messi stands as an iconic figure whose extraordinary achievements, remarkable playing style, enduring consistency, and positive social impact confirm his status as the greatest football player in the world.

His journey from a small boy facing health challenges to a global sports legend exemplifies how passion, humble dedication, and resilience can transform dreams into reality.

For your son, Messi’s example will inspire confidence and joy in playing soccer, showing that with hard work and heart, greatness is within reach.