# Lionel Messi: An Inspiration for Young Footballers

## Introduction

Lionel Messi stands as a shining example of what dedication, talent, and passion for football can achieve.

For any young aspiring soccer player, Messi's journey offers invaluable lessons in perseverance, skill development, and the joy of playing the beautiful game.

This report explores why Messi is widely considered the world's greatest footballer, highlighting his remarkable achievements, unique playing style, and the positive influence he has had on the sport.

## Unparalleled Career Achievements

### Record-Breaking Accolades
Messi's trophy cabinet is unmatched in football history.

He has won a record **eight Ballon d'Or awards** (Golden Ball), more than any other player, including Cristiano Ronaldo who has five.

This prestigious award recognizes him as the world's best player an unprecedented number of times, reflecting his sustained excellence over many years.

### Team Success
At the club level, Messi has won **four Champions League titles**, **ten La Liga championships** with Barcelona, and **two Ligue 1 titles** with Paris Saint-Germain.

His crowning achievement came in 2022 when he led Argentina to **World Cup victory**, scoring seven goals and providing three assists to earn the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.

This World Cup triumph completed his collection of major trophies, adding to his **Copa America victory** with Argentina—their first major trophy since 1993.

Messi was instrumental in that success too, finishing as both the top scorer and top assister in the tournament.

### Individual Records
Messi holds numerous individual records that demonstrate his extraordinary scoring ability:
- He scored a remarkable **91 goals in a calendar year (2012)**, breaking the previous record of 85 held by German legend Gerd Müller since 1972
- He scored **672 goals for Barcelona** before his transfer, making him the club's all-time leading scorer
- He has scored **400 international goals**

# Lionel Messi: An Inspiration for Young Footballers

## Introduction

Lionel Messi stands as a shining example of what dedication, talent, and passion for football can achieve.

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Top 5 players with the most UEFA Champions League appearances

Sharan Pillai
ANALYST

Over the course of years, many teams and players have amazed us with their performances in the most sought-after league. The UEFA Champions League delivers just as much as its reputation.

Ever since it was founded in 1955 as the European Cup, the UEFA Champions League (renamed in 1992), has housed the best of teams from all around the continent. Europe being football's powerhouse means the Champions League, by default, has become the most intense league at club level.

Every season brings us a handful of favorites, underdogs, goal riots, upsets and individual uprisings. Throughout the Champions League's history, numerous records have been re-written by teams and players. Today let's discuss one such record.

Without further ado, let's take a look at:

Top 5 players with the most UEFA Champions League appearances.

#5 Raúl González — 142

The Real Madrid legend held every title and record to his name with Los Blancos before Cristiano Ronaldo walked-in. However, till date, the Spaniard remains one of the most-decorated players within the ranks of mighty Real Madrid.

Ascending from the youth levels, Raúl González cemented his place with the senior side at the tender age of 16. He evolved not just to be a fine player but a fierce leader as well. Raúl González has featured in 130 games for Real Madrid and 12 for Bundesliga team Schalke, taking his tally to 142.

Raúl #UCL record for @realmadriden and @s04_en: 134 starts, 71 goals, 14 assists http://t.co/upftHKc7Bm

He experienced a very successful stint with the Galacticos and won three UEFA Champions League titles with them. With 66 goals, Raúl González is still the second most goal-getter for Real Madrid in the Champions League.

#4 Lionel Messi — 150*

Words would do no justice to this little magician's contribution towards Barcelona and football itself. Since his debut against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2004 and his last game versus Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, Leo Messi has played 149 games in the Blaugrana jersey.

He broke records for fun during his stint with the Catalan giants. Lionel Messi has won four UEFA Champions League titles and scored 120 goals for Barcelona. The Argentine joined the same side against whom he played and scored his last in a Barcelona jersey — PSG.

The former Barca captain marked his debut for his new club just last week against Club Brugge. The tally of 150 means Lionel Messi is the player with 4th most appearances in the UEFA Champions League.

Leo Messi turns 34 today.

34 moments of magic from the greatest 🐐 (THREAD)

(via @ChampionsLeague)
https://t.co/Yw2kXBDQYs

With a lot of youth and energy left in him, we can expect Leo to climb up the ranks.

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Content: Dejan Lovren says Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is right up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Regarded as two of the best, if not the greatest, players in history - while winning 12 Ballon d'Or trophies and countless team honours between them - Messi and Ronaldo continue to have immense followings who claim their idol to be top of the pile. It is a 50-50 question that has no definitive answer.

Egypt international Salah needs no introduction at Anfield and beyond, either, having totted-up 186 goals in 303 appearances for the club - with 77 assists. He continues to perform at the top level despite the collective struggles this season - as 30 goals and 14 assists from 49 games in all competitions shows.

READ MORE: Sadio Mane's stance on Bayern Munich future amid return links

READ MORE: Fifth-place qualification rules if Man City win Champions League

Lovren was asked about Salah during an interview with LFCTV. He said: "We're talking each month every time, at least twice a week we call each other. We're really good friends, we tell each other some secrets, not about football, and it's really great to have a friend like that."

Lovren, who spent six years with Liverpool and now plays for French Ligue 1 side Lyon, continued: "You don't know how much effort he's putting into his body to be what he is. It's not just like that he's scoring every year 25, 30 goals.

"He's putting in really, really hard work. Sometimes after training I'm just sitting on the sofa enjoying, watching TV, and this guy he's answering from his swimming pool and saying; 'Yeah, let me finish my swimming session'.

"Mo, you had just training in the morning! 'Just let me do it'. And then you say to yourself, players like him, like Ronaldo, like Messi, this is more than perfection, I don't know.

"There are not many like him, like Messi, like Ronaldo. He's playing for the last five seasons and scoring every year 25, 30 goals. Come on guys, come on. He's never injured, he's a winger, and he's scoring more goals than Harry Kane."

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Content: Missy.
France vs Argentina.
Messi keeps the best in his pocket until the end.
Messi scored 5 goals and made 3 in 6 matches in 2022.
As if he didn ’ t offer enough magic moments, Argentine genius Lionel Messi kept what might be the most poetic scenario of his last World Cup appearance, waiting to write the last line.
Messi, 35, who is under heavy pressure to match Diego Maradona ’ s achievement and win the title, has starred in Qatar while other stars such as Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo have bailed out.
From the start to the semi-final victory over Croatia, Messi, whose career is nearing its end, was the only star of the tournament.
His stats speak for themselves as he has been a starter in six games, scoring five goals and making three to lead Argentina to Sunday's final against France.
Messi, who has broken many records, has surpassed the number of World Cup appearances and goals recorded by Maradona and will become the most competitive player in the tournament on Sunday, surpassing the record set by Lotar Mateus (25 games).
Beyond the impressive statistics, Messi ’ s enchanting gestures and joyous celebrations are what excited football fans around the world.
Messi did not exert much physical effort in most matches and did not defend almost at times, but he was waiting for the right moment to use his deadly skills and sudden ability to change the rhythm and quick starts without the ball leaving his foot.
British sports writer Jonathan Wilson wrote of Messi: "A spirit wandering around the match until the right moment, you can censor a man, but watching a ghost is much harder."
Character.
After a disappointing start against Saudi Arabia, Messi took on the task of boosting the team ’ s morale, and his best goals came from an elaborate low from outside the box against Mexico.
Critics were stunned by his pass, which was used by Noel Molina to score the first goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, unique in this pass that Messi played it meticulously without looking at the position of his teammate.
In this match, Messi solidified his relationship with the Argentine fans, which was unfair in comparison to Maradona's character and the passion he showed for his country and winning the 1986 World Cup.
After scoring the penalty to spark crazy celebrations in the stands, Messi, who is usually well-behaved, turned to the Dutch team ’ s seats and put his hands around his ears in a provocative move.
After the game, Messi got into an argument with a Dutch striker and the cameras caught him saying, "What are you looking at, asshole?"
Although critics have criticised Messi as disrespectful, she has delighted Argentinean fans on a large scale, reminiscing of Maradona's defiant spirit.
One of the fans, Jorge Castellanos, who attended the match with a flag that puts both players side by side, said: “Against the Netherlands, Maradona ’ s inner character has finally come out into the open.
Both are one.
They both stay.
It's Argentina! "
But everyone knows that the only way Messi can be shoulder to shoulder with Maradona, at least in the world ’ s biggest football league, is to beat France in the final.
For a long time, Argentina was the second team for non-Argentine fans hoping Messi would win the tournament if their teams could not win the title to seal the final chapter in the beautiful story.
Thank you, Commander.
Messi left Argentina at the age of 13 to join the youth academy in Barcelona.
Despite concerns about his poor build, the new boy rose to prominence among the youngsters before coach Frank Rijkard gave him the chance to play for the first team at the age of 16 in a friendly against Porto in 2003.
Over time, Messi became Barcelona ’ s historic scorer (672 goals) and the most appearances for the Catalan team (778).
In the 2011 / 12 season, he broke the record for the number of goals scored in La Liga (50 goals).
In total, he has won 35 titles with Barcelona, including 10 league titles and four Champions League titles, before moving to Paris Saint-Germain last year.
He has also won a record seven Ballon d'Or awards, as well as FIFA's Player of the Year award six times.
Internationally, he is Argentina ’ s historic goalscorer and led her to win last year ’ s Copa America, her first major title after 28 lean years.
All that is missing from Messi ’ s coffers is the World Cup title.
But even if he did not win the title, it seems that he has won the hearts of fans who have become convinced that he loves the Argentina shirt as Maradona did and has given her magical moments over the years and that he has done his best and is just around the corner to win the title.
Argentine journalist Sofia Martínez Mateos summed up the general situation when she ended an interview with Messi this week with a speech on behalf of Argentina.
"The final is coming and of course we all want to win, but I want to tell you that regardless of the result, there is something that no one can take away from you."
"I have entered the heart of every Argentine.
Honestly, no kid doesn't own your shirt.
You have left your mark on the lives of each of us.
“Keep that in your heart because it ’ s more important than the World Cup and I ’ ve already won that.
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Content: The central midfielder of the Catalan Barcelona Frankie de Jong shared his opinion about the current owner of the Golden ball Lionel Messi, who last summer left the camp of the “blue-garnet ” as a free agent and joined Paris Saint-Germain.
“I think he ’ s the best in almost every aspect of football.
No matter what we were training – the end, the positional game, no matter – he was the best at everything.
None of the praise for Messi is exaggerated.
He ’ s always the best for me, ” De Jong told The Guardian.
This season, Lionel Messi played for PSG 21 matches in all competitions, in which he scored seven goals and gave 8 assists.

For any young aspiring soccer player, Messi's journey offers invaluable lessons in perseverance, skill development, and the joy of playing the beautiful game.

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Copa America brings Messi closer to the coronation
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Perhaps the difficult circumstances that the Argentine football star Lionel Messi went through last season with his former club Barcelona are enough to put him outside the nominations for the awards he used to win in the past years.
But Messi ’ s talent and four weeks of brilliance for his country meant that the player was on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2021.
Messi has reached the final list of nominees for the 14th time in his career so far, equating the record number of times on this list with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
Messi holds the record for six times winning the award, four of which were presented after a joint referendum between FIFA and French sports magazine France Football, which recently awarded Messi the Golden Ball for the best player in the world in 2021, the seventh time Messi has won the Golden Ball, including the four joint times with FIFA.
Now, Messi is looking to win a FIFA prize for the seventh time in his career and boost his record.
Messi went through a difficult period with Barcelona last season, especially after he had to stay with the team despite the revelation before the start of last season that he wanted to leave Camp Nou.
Barcelona ’ s achievement last season was limited to winning the Copa del Rey as the team emerged from the Spanish league and the Champions League empty-handed, although Messi won for the fifth consecutive season the top scorer of the Spanish league after scoring 30 goals for the team.
But Messi had the opportunity to maintain his luster and ensure that he remains one of the "best" in the world through his career with his country in the South American Cup of Nations (Copa America 2020), which was held over four weeks in the middle of this year.
Indeed, Messi succeeded in imposing his glamour through this tournament as he led his country to the title of the tournament to be the first title for the Argentine team in the major tournaments since 1993.
Messi won the title with the Argentine team after the end of last season with Barcelona and weeks before his move to Paris Saint-Germain in a shift that no one expected years ago as all expectations indicated that Messi will remain with the Catalan club until the end of his career, given his great emotional attachment and known to Barcelona.
During his career in the Copa America, Messi provided outstanding statistics, scoring four goals for the team and making five goals for his teammates to top the scorer list of this edition of the tournament, as well as topping the list of the most goal-making players in the same edition.
It was no surprise that Messi won the title of best player in the same edition of the tournament that put him among the nominees for the best of the year.
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Content: Monday 2 January 2023 Abu Dhabi UAE
Prayer times
News Highlights
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Messi Flirt 2022: I will not forget you
Messi Flirt 2022: I will not forget you
January 1, 2023 14: 35
Berlin (DPA / Stats Perform) said goodbye to Lionel Messi in 2022, praising the year he won the World Cup and calling it a year he will never forget.
The Argentine captain plans to return to Paris Saint-Germain training at the beginning of next week, after taking an additional leave, following his participation in the 2022 World Cup.
Thanks to his seven goals and three crucial passes, Messi earned the Ballon d ’ Or award, and at the age of 35, Messi was able to win the World Cup, in the greatest moments of his career.
Messi posted a series of photos with his wife Antonella and his young family on Instagram to mark the end of the year.
He wrote: “A year is ending, I will never be able to forget it.
The dream that I have always been trying to achieve has come true in the end. ”
“But it wouldn ’ t have mattered if it weren ’ t for the fact that I celebrated it with my wonderful family, the best family I could have, and some friends who always supported me and didn ’ t leave me every time I failed. ”
Messi's World Cup victory will not be met with much dignity in Paris, especially as Argentina beat France in the final on penalties after the original and additional times ended in a 3 / 3 draw.
Speaking to the fans, Messi thanked those from Barcelona and also from Paris.
Messi has scored 672 goals in his career with Barcelona, which ended shockingly with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021.
Messi wrote: "I would like to have a special memory for all the people who follow and support me.
It was great to be able to share this path with all of you. ”
“It would have been impossible to get to where I am now without the great encouragement that I have received from all the people in my country, but also in Paris, Barcelona and many other cities and countries from which I have received affection. ”
“I hope this year is also great for everyone, and I wish you health and strength to remain happy in 2023. ”
Messi has reportedly agreed in principle to renew his contract with St Germain, which expires at the end of the season, and finalising the deal will be a priority for the French club in the days and weeks ahead.
Messi is missing the team's game later on Sunday against Lance, who is second by seven points behind Saint-Germain after 16 rounds of the French league.
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Title:

Content: A thousand contributions to his career and 50 this season.
Messi continues to write his own chapter in football history
When Argentine star Lionel Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain, many doubted his performance at Barcelona.
In the first season, he offered modest numbers but needed to adapt to a new team and a new country and culture as well.
The first sign that he would be fine was his performance with the Argentina national team.
As a result, he won the World Cup in Qatar last December and led his country to the greatest glory of his career.
At St Germain, Messi has been developing and adapting throughout the season but on Saturday he reached a figure that confirmed he was a complete player.
With his goal against Nantes yesterday in the French league, Messi has scored 30 goals and made 20 assists in 39 games this season for the club and the national team (he has scored 18 goals and made 16 assists in all competitions for Saint-Germain, 12 goals and 4 assists in the tango shirt).
In total, the Bolga made 1,000 contributions to his career with the teams he played for: 701 goals and 299 assists in 840 games.
He recently won the FIFA World Player of the Year award for 2022.
Messi is living through one of his best periods of his career but he will need the top of his game and the sum of his experiences in the upcoming Paris Saint-Germain game.
Bayern Munich obstacle in the way of Messi
Messi ’ s recent performances at home may be convincing, but against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final he was unable to deliver any of his previous performances when he was at Barcelona.
Winning this tournament is a top priority for the Parisian team and is one of the reasons why Saint-Germain signed the Argentine international.
The next game in Munich, the second leg of the home continental championship final, will be the most important test for Messi and his teammates this season.
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This report explores why Messi is widely considered the world's greatest footballer, highlighting his remarkable achievements, unique playing style, and the positive influence he has had on the sport.

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Content: Carragher: I ’ m sure Messi and Ronaldo can ’ t stand each other
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Football expert Jamie Carragher spoke about the competition between strikers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“They don ’ t want to lose to each other.
For trophies like the Ballon d ’ Or, this has always been their biggest rivalry in every season.
They definitely made each other better.
But I think they probably won ’ t be able to appreciate it until they finish their careers.
I bet while they're playing, they hate each other.
Whatever one does, the other will reciprocate.
They can never rest.
They could never get so much pleasure from what they did because they knew the other would come back to score even more goals.
I always felt that if one of them did a hat-trick, the next night the other would go and do a hat-trick.
They always had to completely outshine each other, ” Carragher told Football365.
Messi has won the Ballon d ’ Or eight times and Ronaldo five times.
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Messi is the only player who managed to arrange a penta-trick as a scorer and assistant
Cristiano Ronaldo on a walk with children on the beach
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The 10 best players in football history
The difference between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo was obvious.
The Daily Mail has named the 50 best footballers of all time.
Despite the ongoing debate over the best between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the difference in the rankings between the two legends was clear.
Among the notable absentees from Brazil's top 50 list was Neymar, despite being the best goalscorer in Brazilian history.
Here is the list of the top 10 players in history according to the Daily Mail:
10. Cristiano Ronaldo
It is controversial that Cristiano Ronaldo, who many consider better than playing football, finished 10th.
Ronaldo has won five gold balls throughout his career and is the most scoring player ever, and the 39-year-old has led his country to its first ever international title and holds the record for the highest number of international goals ever with 128 goals for Portugal.
Ronaldo is the historic scorer of the Champions League with 141 goals and has won the competition five times, including three consecutive titles.
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Messi or Ronaldo.
Ramos has chosen the best player in history.
9. Zico
In ninth place comes Brazilian legend Zico who, although he has never won a World Cup, is widely regarded in Brazil as a bigger champion than many other players.
Zico was known for his steady ball abilities and was by far the star of Brazil's squad at the 1982 World Cup.
8. Garrincha
Another Brazilian legend comes in eighth place with Garrincha sneaking ahead of both Ronaldo and Zico.
Garrincha is widely regarded as the champion of Brazil's 1958 World Cup victory and was crowned best player of the tournament in 1962, a year marked by a major absence for Pele due to injury in the early stages.
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The Spanish league finds the new Messi and Ronaldo
7. Ronaldo Nazario
Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo Nazario finished seventh and controversially ahead of the Portuguese star.
Ronaldo ’ s natural talent was something to watch, and he has won the Ballon d ’ Or twice, but unfortunately, his career has been heavily affected by injuries.
6. Alfredo Di Stefano
Alfredo Di Stéfano, the second best Real Madrid goalscorer of all time behind Cristiano Ronaldo, won five European Cups and scored in every final, including a brilliant hat-trick in the 1960 final.
5. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane enters the list strongly and occupies fifth place and Zidane is distinguished by his ability to control the ball throughout the pitch.
Zidane made history after leading France to the 1998 World Cup by scoring two goals against Brazil in the final and leading Real Madrid to the Champions League title in 2001 / 2002.
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In an emotional letter...
Brazil star to his younger brother: 'I hope to meet Ronaldo'
4. Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is arguably one of the most important minds in football, despite missing out on the top three.
Cruyff is widely believed to be the founder of the concept of "inclusive football", a tactic that remains in football today through coaches such as Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
Johan Cruyff won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax and made one of the most famous skillful moves in football at the 1974 World Cup against Sweden.
3. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona ’ s name cannot be missed when mentioning the best footballers in history.
If one game can perfectly sum it up, it is the 1986 World Cup against England.
Oddly enough, many still remember his famous hand-held goal rather than focusing on his historic World Cup goal after England ’ s skill and manipulation.
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Ronaldo is crazy and I want to be the best player in the world like him.
2. Pelé
Pele finished second in the rankings and the Brazilian legend stands out as the only player to have won the World Cup three times, making his first victory as a teenager in 1958.
Pele became the iconic leader of the greatest football team in history, the Brazilian team that won the 1970 World Cup.
1. Lionel Messi
Argentine star Lionel Messi ranked first in the ranking of the best footballers in history.
Messi is the player who has won the most Ballon d'Or in history with eight awards.
Messi has one of the greatest careers in the history of football, winning the Champions League three times for Barcelona and finishing second in the championship goalscorer's standings.
Messi led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, in which he scored seven goals, including four penalties.
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Content: Matteus on Messi: “The most perfect footballer of our time ”
Today, 19: 04
Ex-game of the German national team Lothar Matteus shared his opinion that Lionel Messi can beat his record for the number of matches at the world championships.
I'm happy for Messi.
He is a great athlete with an outstanding career.
He is the best footballer of our time.
Recall that the asset of the ex-defender of the German national team 25 matches at the world championships.
Messi is 24.
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Content: prostoprosport
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Messi did not call himself the best player in the history of football
The striker of the national team of Argentina and PSG Lionel Messi answered the question, whether he considers himself the best player in the history of football.
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Content: Monday 26th September 2022 Abu Dhabi UAE
Prayer times
Today 's Issue
Today 's Issue
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The return of joy before the end of the dream!
The return of joy before the end of the dream!
September 25, 2022 10: 00
Anwar Ibrahim (Cairo)
After the season "baht", and quite far from his known level, the Argentine "legend" Lionel Messi returned to the top of his technical performance, and became playing more comfortably, scoring and making many goals with Paris Saint-Germain and his country, and brought to mind the wonderful level, when he was a player in Barcelona Spanish.
Messi admitted in statements quoted by the Spanish newspaper « Ace » excerpts of it, that he needed to adapt and adapt to his new situation in Paris, and therefore his first season came unconvincing for his lovers and lovers, and for himself.
Messi last season scored only 11 goals in 34 games he played for his club, which is a very poor number, compared to what he scored for Barca in various competitions, which sometimes exceed the barrier of 40 goals per season.
But the situation has changed this season, and Flea has scored six goals in 11 games he played for St Germain, and the season is still long, adding more goals and assists.
Even at the level of his country, Messi has become enjoying playing, scoring goals, the last of which was his two goals against Honduras in the friendly game that was held between them recently, and ended with the victory of Argentina 3-0, bringing the number of games played by « Tango », without defeat to 34 games, to come very close to the record recorded by Italy « 37 games ».
When Messi spoke about Saint-Germain, he said: "I feel very good this season and very different from last season and I have become more involved with my team-mates.
"I knew it would happen, and I said before that I had a bad time, but this season it's different.
Messi said: “I started with a different mentality, I became more attuned to my new situation, inside the dressing room, on the pitch, and playing has become a great pleasure for me.
As for Argentina, Messi, who has seven gold balls, said: “We have a big and competitive team in the World Cup, and we still have some time to develop further in performance, and we have to take the games step by step, take advantage of every moment we gather together, and prepare ourselves very seriously.
It was clear to see, according to the site « Yahoo Sport », that Messi is determined more than ever to shine in the « World Cup 2022 », and return the cup to his country, to be « catch the end » of his football career full of championships and collective and individual titles.
Argentina are in Group C at the Qatar World Cup, which includes Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.
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MES-MERISING

Lionel Messi replicates exactly Diego Maradona pose as Argentina captain held aloft by hundreds after winning World Cup

LIONEL Messi replicated Diego Maradona's pose from 1986 as Argentina finally lifted the World Cup again after a 36-year wait.

Messi drove his country on throughout the tournament and was instrumental in the dramatic final win over France.

The victory sparked mass celebrations in which Messi was lifted above the rest of his team-mates while holding the trophy in the air.

Maradona, who was the star of the World Cup in Mexixo 36 years ago, also held the trophy aloft with the rest of the squad around him when he got his hands on the trophy.

Messi scored seven goals and assisted a further three on La Albiceleste's way to glory in Qatar.

Maradona was just as influential during Mexico '86, getting five goals and five assists.

Both, of course, won the player of the tournament accolade.

Messi was pipped to the Golden Boot by Kylian Mbappe, while Maradona was beaten to the individual trophy by England's Gary Lineker, who netted six.

Messi has long been compared with Maradona, with critics claiming the PSG star hadn't won the World Cup like the man who passed away aged 60 in 2020.

But now, Messi has achieved greatness and on his accomplishment he said: "It’s simply unbelievable. I knew that God was going to give me the Cup, I was sure — it was a big joy for us.

HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP

“I had this big dream for a long time, I wanted to close my career with the World Cup. I can’t ask for more than this."

Messi was expected to retire from international duty as he confirmed before the clash with France that it would be his last World Cup game, but he has now hinted at defending his crown in 2026.

He already has the record for most goals scored by one player at World Cups with 13, overtaking Brazil icon Pele.

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## Unparalleled Career Achievements

### Record-Breaking Accolades
Messi's trophy cabinet is unmatched in football history.

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Content: Gaspacho
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Lionel Messi needs one trophy to collect the full collection, Cristiano Ronaldo already has one
Lionel Messi is on the verge of an outstanding achievement.
During his incredible career, the Argentine has won many trophies, he lacks only one to become the owner of the full collection of awards.
Leo already has a record 8 Ballons d ’ Or, a World Cup win, four Champions League titles, 10 La Liga championships and 2 Ligue 1.
But among this sea of trophies is not enough “Golden foot ”.
This prestigious award recognizes players not only for their sportsmanship, but also for their outstanding personalities and contributions to football.
The award is given only to current players aged 28 years and older, it can be received only once.
Journalists choose 10 contenders, and the winner is determined through online voting, allowing fans from all over the world to make their choice.
While players such as Robert Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah and Messi ’ s longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo have already won the trophy, Leo himself has not yet won it.
Although he remains the main contender for the “Golden foot ” at the end of the outgoing year.

He has won a record **eight Ballon d'Or awards** (Golden Ball), more than any other player, including Cristiano Ronaldo who has five.

This prestigious award recognizes him as the world's best player an unprecedented number of times, reflecting his sustained excellence over many years.

### Team Success
At the club level, Messi has won **four Champions League titles**, **ten La Liga championships** with Barcelona, and **two Ligue 1 titles** with Paris Saint-Germain.

His crowning achievement came in 2022 when he led Argentina to **World Cup victory**, scoring seven goals and providing three assists to earn the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.

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Content: Buenos Aires (AFP)
Lionel Messi surpassed the number of goals of the Brazilian legend Pele in international matches with his country, after scoring the hat-trick, and led Argentina to a big victory over Bolivia 3-0, in the tenth round of the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.
Messi, six times the world ’ s best player, has raised his tally to 79 goals with Argentina firmly on track to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, where they are second in the unified group with six points behind Brazil 2-0 and leading with 24 full points.
In his 153rd international match, the 34-year-old Messi equalised three-time world champion Pelé with 77 goals by opening the scoring from a distinctive far shot with his left foot.
The player who recently moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain of France shook the net of the goalkeeper Carlos Lambe again, after a take and take ball with his teammate Lautaro Martinez finished it at close range.
The Mosquito achieved his seventh trio with his country two minutes before the end of time, following a close distance shot by the guard.
“I ’ ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, now I ’ m going to enjoy it. ”
Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese opponent, holds the record for international goals with 111 goals in 180 games.

This World Cup triumph completed his collection of major trophies, adding to his **Copa America victory** with Argentina—their first major trophy since 1993.

Messi was instrumental in that success too, finishing as both the top scorer and top assister in the tournament.

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Content: I ’ m looking forward to a historic event tonight.
Messi is looking forward to a celebration in the "Millennium" game
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The famous Argentine football star Lionel Messi is looking forward to a big celebration when he plays his country's match scheduled for Saturday in the second round (round of 16) of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Today ’ s match represents a historic event for Messi as it will be the 1000th match in his professional career, as well as coming amid the World Cup, which the famous star is looking to win for the first time with his country.
Messi is looking forward to entering the club "Alf" in the best possible way, especially as the opportunity seems favorable for this after the Argentine team moved away from facing any of the giant teams in this role.
Messi began his professional career on 16 October 2004 when he participated as a substitute in the match of his former team Barcelona against Espanyol in La Liga, Messi was then 17 years old, and played about 8 minutes in that match.
Over the course of his career with Barcelona, Messi, 35, has played 778 games, most recently against Osasuna on May 16, 2021, scoring 672 goals and making 268 goals for his teammates until his departure to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021 after winning 35 titles in various tournaments with Barcelona.
In terms of his participation with the Argentine national team, the start was on 17 August 2005, but it was not a memorable start at all as Messi began the match as a substitute in the 64th minute but was kicked out with a red card in the following minute.
In his career with Argentina so far, Messi has made 167 appearances, scoring 93 goals.
Of these, Messi has played 22 times in the World Cup to be the most played player for Argentina in the World Cup, one match behind the late Diego Maradona.
Along with this, Messi has made 53 appearances in his career with St Germain, scoring 23 goals, making 27 and winning two titles with the team.
The following list illustrates some other interesting facts about the famous Argentine star:
Messi has scored eight goals in World Cup tournaments but they all came in first-round matches and has never scored in the knockout rounds, which he is seeking to change today.
Messi has created 63 chances for his World Cup teammates since his debut in 2006, more than any other player in the team in terms of opportunity making.
In 2012, Messi scored 91 goals in a single year, beating the record for the number of goals a player scored in a single calendar year.
Prior to this, the record was set by German legend Gerd Müller, who scored 85 goals in 1972.
Messi scored his 400th goal during an international match for his country against Germany on 15 August 2012.
Messi did not score a goal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when the late Diego Maradona was technical director of the team, and the team was knocked out of the quarter-finals by the German team.
Messi scored four goals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and lost the final to Germany.
Messi has been involved in 14 World Cup goals, according to Opta, making six goals out of the eight he has scored.
Since the start of Messi ’ s participation in the World Cup in 2006, he has been surpassed in this regard only by the German Thomas Müller, who scored 10 goals and made six goals for his teammates.
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### Individual Records
Messi holds numerous individual records that demonstrate his extraordinary scoring ability:
- He scored a remarkable **91 goals in a calendar year (2012)**, breaking the previous record of 85 held by German legend Gerd Müller since 1972
- He scored **672 goals for Barcelona** before his transfer, making him the club's all-time leading scorer
- He has scored **400 international goals**