That being said, it’s undeniable that the most popular player in the world is Lionel “Leo” Andres Messi. Messi is a goal-setting and record-breaking talented individual who always puts his best foot forward on the field. So, we’ve got 30 facts about the mega football star that is worth knowing, learning, and sharing.

Obviously, this is an incredible achievement, and Messi has earned all of the admiration and respect. For La Liga, he set the record for making approximately 474 goals. To top it off, Messi also has a club-record 35 trophies, and 10 La Liga crowns.

Messi played for Barcelona for over twenty years, which included his rounds in the club’s academy. Sadly, he said goodbye to the club in the 2020/2021 season. Barcelona, too, was sad to see him leave. Interestingly enough, it was stated in a deal that if Barcelona terminated Messi’s contract, he would be given $300 million. That never seemed possible because Messi led an incredible career.

Being alone for Messi means shutting down and not talking to anybody. We don’t blame him! For someone who has become accustomed to winning, losing seems awful. But, even Messi knows that, in life, losing is inevitable.

Messi’s foundation also works to enhance the quality of life for all kids. Caring for children who have disabilities and ensuring they have the proper medical assistance if their families are unable to help them. Of course, sports are at the center of their activities.

To get fans to buy their product, they actually put Messi’s face on it. Their tagline was “Feels like Messi” which is brilliant because surely everyone wants to feel like him!

Mateo’s, Messi’s second son, also gets his own tattoo, which sits vertically to the left of a tattooed portrait of Jesus. All of Messi’s tattoos hold special significance and mean something to the football player.

The news broke out all over the world, with people wondering if this is how Messi himself got started. Needless to say, it was a bold PR move by manager Gerardo Martino and Chariman Guillermo Llorente.

When watching a game, Messi’s intensity can be felt throughout the whole stadium. He has said that his extreme passion is a result of his pure love of the game as if he’s a kid playing on the streets. Messi has stated before that he would consider retirement on the day that he no longer feels that spark.

Mostly, Messi plays video games with his loved ones and friends. He also makes sure he has a lot of time to rest when he’s not on fancy yacht trips!

Messi’s net worth is estimated to be $80 million, according to Forbes. Even though the money is wonderful, Messi has said that the sport itself motivates him and not the money he gets from doing it. In fact, he would continue to play even if he wasn’t getting a monetary incentive.

Messi has won many more awards. In 2005, he won the Golden Boy Award, and between 2009 and 2013, was awarded the Onze d’or. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2009, and received 2014’s World Cup Golden Ball Award. And, in 2021, he received the Copa America MVP medal.

And, the accolades don’t stop there. In 2005, Messi won the U-20 World Cup for Argentina, which took home the Gold Medal in the 2008 Olympic Games. In 2021, Argentina won the Copa America and the Finalissima in 2022.

Messi also performs this pose to memorialize his grandmother, who helped him in his football journey. In 1998, Celia Olivera Cucittini passed away. She often took Messi to games and was the defining figure who inspired him to play football.

Funnily enough, Messi actually signed his first contract on a napkin. The director was so set on signing Messi and didn’t have any paper for him to write on. It’s easy to see why the director had to snatch the talented Messi before anybody else did.

Until Messi turned 14, he kept receiving the treatments – which stopped because they weren’t beneficial any longer. However, the treatments did allow him to reach an average height. We’re positive that Messi would have still been the best even if he was shorter than the average football player.

Unsurprisingly, Leo isn’t the first of his family to be a lover of football. Not only did he play the sport as a kid, but his two older brothers and his cousins – Emanuel and Maximliano Biancucchi – became renowned football players.

He was only eight when he was chosen to join Newell’s Old Boys, the development system of the club based in Rosario. Messi was only 13 when he and his family moved to Barcelona, and he played for their under-14 team. Messi’s incredible goal-scoring record and dribbling finesse earned him the Diego Maradona successor’s title.

The lip tattoo on Messi’s bottom-left hip is for Antonela. It’s heartwarming and sweet how in love he is with Antonela! They deserve all the happiness in the world.

Argentina couldn’t be more proud of Messi’s accomplishments, but they do recognize that he gets bored with serving the country. Argentina suspects this because he puts his all into the games he plays for Barcelona, and it seems they are a tad jealous. Regardless, Argentines always celebrate Messi’s wins no matter what team he is on. 

Additionally, Messi has also made a contribution of £26.4m to assist in dealing with the illness in Spain. And, using his Leo Messi Foundation, he has donated the funds to the SJD Pediatric Cancer Center. He even made an appearance as the first stone was laid at the city’s Hospital Sant Joan de Deu.

The generous footballer raised money for those affected by the 2013 earthquake and tsunami and donated the golden left foot. It sold for approximately $5.2 million.

Becoming the face of Adidas was a smart move, as it’s since brought him nothing but immense fortune. His collaboration with the German company has also been remarked as one of their most profitable partnerships.

2012 was an important year, as it marked Antonela’s relocation to Messi’s Barcelona home in Castelldefels. Thiago was born that same year, and, actually, two of their three kids were born before the couple finally exchanged vows with each other. She is Leo’s biggest fan and source of support.

In total, there were 260 people who attended – footballers and celebrities included! Messi’s colleagues from Barcelona (Luis Suárez, Neymar, Gerard Piqué, and pop icon Shakira, his wife) were just some of those in attendance.

Well, the performance was shared by Adidas and showed Messi playing the theme on the piano. Even though he seemed relaxed, it was too good to be true, and his talent was just the result of some skillfull editing.

You may have been able to guess that this is Messi’s favorite book, given he’s from Argentina. In the novel, the main character is Martin Fierro, an impromptu Gaucho who defended Argentina’s inner border from the indigenous people.

The movie is about the baby of wealthy parents who is kidnapped by three crooks and his adventurous escape from them. It’s a must-see! Who knew that Messi loves comedies?

Being good friends with a musician means you get to have songs written about you. Torres wrote a song called “The Eighth Wonder” for Messi. We can’t even imagine what it’s like to be best friends with your idol!

Jorge was sentenced to 15 months in prison with a fine of €180,000. Messi was fined €2 million and his father €1.5 million, in addition to the suspended jail terms.