Lionel Messi
- Squad No: 10
- Position: Forward
- Age: 24
- Birth Date: Jun 24, 1987
- Birth Place: Rosario, Argentina
- Height: 5' 7'' (1.70m)
- Weight: 67 kg
Lionel Messi is the heir apparent to the throne left vacant by Diego Armando Maradona. Waters are divided between those who consider it far from the best 10, and those who believe that Messi will be even better than Maradona.
Born in Rosario, he cut his teeth in the ranks of young Newell Old Boys, until a hormonal problem that affected its growth has changed the plans of his family and, of course, his personal future. Faced with an expensive treatment for their son, Messi's parents moved to Spain as Newell are not able to pay medical expenses related to his condition, and even the richest teams in Argentina as River Plate, refused to pay the bill.
After his first trial with FC Barcelona, Catalan coaches was clear. They decided to sign Messi and pay for medical treatment. Its growth has been significant in Barca, and in a short time, he came to be regarded as one of the great talents of the club. It debuted in first division in October 2004, against Espanyol and Barcelona have since adopted it as one of their biggest idols.
His first championship would Liga 2004-05 season. Since then, and play a larger role each season, he won every major club trophies at the Camp Nou - including a special courier from six in 2008-09 - and claimed the World Player of the Year three times in three years, leaving many in little doubt that Messi is the best player of his generation, perhaps of all time.
This idea was given further weight in March 2012, when, at age 24, he became the top scorer of all time top Barcelona - beat the 232 goals of Cesar Rodriguez.
Strengths: his ball skills have nothing to envy, its racing midfield are usually lethal, and it is almost impossible to address when it is upside down. His balance when running at high speed is incredible.
Weaknesses: Too often, he seeks a way to finish moving by itself, without trying to teammates in a better position to shoot at goal.
Career high: Winning the World Player 2009, 2010 and 2011 of the Year awards.
Career low: He was unable to perform at his best in the World Cup 2006 in Germany, where Argentina were eliminated in the quarterfinals with Messi looking on the bench.
Style: fast, incisive, balanced, elegant runner with the ball.
Messi Shirt 2012
Quotes: "Messi is my Maradona," said Maradona himself, as head coach of the Argentine national team.
Trivia: His debut with the national team (against Hungary) was a disaster: he entered the game in the 18th minute of the second half, and 47 seconds later was sent.