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Lionel Messi

Messi in a training session with BarcelonaPersonal information

Full name Lionel Andrs Messi[1][2]

Date of birth 24 June 1987 (age 23)

Place of birth Rosario,Argentina

Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]

Playing position Winger/ Striker

Club information

Current club Barcelona

Number 10Youth career

19952000 Newell's Old Boys

20002004 Barcelona

Senior career*

Years Team Apps (Gls)

20042005 Barcelona B 5 (0)

2004 Barcelona 144 (88)

National team

2005 Argentina U20 7 (6)2008 Argentina U23 5 (2)

2005 Argentina 49 (13)

Honours[show]

Competitor for Argentina

Men's Football

Gold 2008 Beijing Team Competition
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* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

and correct as of 16 May 2010.

Appearances (Goals).

National team caps and goals correct as of 16:46, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Lionel Andrs Messi (Spanish pronunciation:[ljonel andes mesi]; born 24 June1987) is an Argentinianfootballerwho currently plays forBarcelonaand the Argentinanational team. Considered one of the best football players of his generation [3][4][5] andfrequently cited as the world's best contemporary player, [6]Messi received several Ballond'Orand FIFA World Player of the Yearnominations by the age of 21 and won both bythe age of 22.[6][7][8][9] His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to DiegoMaradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".[10][11]

Messi began playing football at a young age and his potential was quickly identified by

Barcelona. He leftRosario-basedNewell's Old Boys's youth team in 2000 and movedwith his family to Europe, as Barcelona offered treatment for his growth hormonedeficiency. Making his debut in the 200405 season, he broke his team record for theyoungest footballer to score a league goal. Major honours soon followed as Barcelonawon La Liga in Messi's debut season, and won a double of the league and ChampionsLeaguein 2006. His breakthrough season was in 200607; he became a first teamregular, scoring a hat-trickin El Clsicoand finishing with 14 goals in 26 league games.Perhaps his most successful season was the 200809 season, in which Messi scored 38goals to play an integral part in atreble-winning campaign.

Messi was the top scorer of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship with six goals,

including two in the final game. Shortly thereafter, he became an established member ofArgentina's senior international team. In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to playin the FIFA World Cup and he won a runners-up medal at the Copa Amrica tournamentthe following year. In 2008, in Beijing, he won his first international honour, an Olympicgold medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team.

Contents

[hide] 1 Early life 2 Club career

o 2.1 Barcelona 2.1.1 200506 season 2.1.2 200607 season 2.1.3 200708 season 2.1.4 200809 season 2.1.5 200910 season

3 International career
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0%23cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosariohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newell's_Old_Boyshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_hormone_deficiencyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_hormone_deficiencyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_La_Ligahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doublehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Champions_League_2004%E2%80%9305http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Champions_League_2004%E2%80%9305http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hat-trick#Soccer_.28European_and_Latin_American_Football.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cl%C3%A1sicohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%9309_La_Ligahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_treblehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_FIFA_World_Youth_Championshiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Copa_Am%C3%A9ricahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_at_the_2008_Summer_Olympicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_Olympic_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#%23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#Early_life%23Early_lifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#Club_career%23Club_careerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#Barcelona%23Barcelonahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#2005.E2.80.9306_season%232005.E2.80.9306_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#2006.E2.80.9307_season%232006.E2.80.9307_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#2007.E2.80.9308_season%232007.E2.80.9308_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#2008.E2.80.9309_season%232008.E2.80.9309_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#2009.E2.80.9310_season%232009.E2.80.9310_seasonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#International_career%23International_career


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o 3.1 2006 World Cupo 3.2 2007 Copa Amricao 3.3 2008 Summer Olympicso 3.4 2010 World Cup

4 Outside football

o 4.1 Personal lifeo 4.2 Charityo 4.3 Media

5 Career statisticso 5.1 International goals

6 Honourso 6.1 Barcelonao 6.2 Argentinao 6.3 Individual

7 Notes 8 References

9 External links

Early life

Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, to parents Jorge Horacio Messi(born 1958), a factory worker, and Celia Mara Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner. [12][13][14] Hispaternal family originates from the Italian city ofAncona, where his ancestor, AngeloMessi, emigrated to Argentina in 1883.[15][16] He has two older brothers named Rodrigoand Matas as well as a sister named Maria Sol.[17] At the age of five, Messi started

playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge.[18]

In 1995, Messiswitched toNewell's Old Boys who were based in his home city Rosario.[18] At the age of11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.[19]Primera Divisin clubRiverPlate showed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay fortreatment for his condition as it cost $900 a month.[14]Carles Rexach, the sportingdirector ofBarcelona, had been made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives in Lleida,Catalonia, and Messi and his father were able to arrange a trial.[14]Barcelona signed himafter watching him play,[20] offering to pay for the medical bills if he was willing to moveto Spain.[18]His family moved to Europe and he started in the club's youth teams. [20] Hehas two cousins also involved in football; Maxi and Emanuel Biancucchi.[21][22]

Club career

Barcelona

Messi made his official debut for the first team in a friendly matchagainst Portoon 16November 2003 (at 16 years and 145 days).[23][24]Less than a year later, Frank Rijkaard lethim make his league debut againstEspanyolon 16 October 2004 (at 17 years and 114days), becoming the third-youngest player ever to play for Barcelona. When he scored his
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first senior goal for the club againstAlbaceteon 1 May 2005, Messi was 17 years, 10months and 7 days old, becoming the youngest to ever score in a La Liga game forBarcelona[25]until 2007 when Bojan Krki broke this record, scoring from a Messi assist.[26] Messi said about his ex-coach Rijkaard: "I'll never forget the fact that he launched mycareer, that he had confidence in me while I was only sixteen or seventeen." [27]

200506 season

The Maradona and Pele polemics will end.

Diego Maradona, on the consequences if Messi won the 2010 World Cup[28]

On 16 September, for the second time in three months, Barcelona announced an update toMessi's contract; this time it was improved to pay him as a first team member andextended until June 2014.[18] Messi obtained Spanish citizenship on 26 September 2005[29]

and was finally able to make his debut inthe season's Spanish First Division. Messi's firsthome outing in the Champions Leaguecame on 27 September against Italian clubUdinese.[23] Fans at Barcelona's stadium, the Camp Nou, gave Messi a standing ovationupon his substitution, as his composure on the ball and passing combinations withRonaldinho had paid dividends for Barcelona.[30]

Messi netted six goals in seventeen league appearances, and scored one ChampionsLeaguegoal in six. His season ended prematurely on 7 March 2006, however, when hesuffered a muscle tear in his right thigh during the second leg of the second roundChampions League tie against Chelsea.[31]Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona ended the season aschampions ofSpain and Europe.[32][33]

200607 season

Messi in a match againstRangers in 2007

In the 200607 season, Messi established himself as a regular first team player, scoring14 times in 26 matches.[34]On 12 November, in the game againstReal Zaragoza, Messisuffered a broken metatarsal, ruling him out for three months.[35][36] Messi recuperatedfrom his injury in Argentina, and his return to action came against Racing Santanderon11 February,[37] where he came on as a second-half substitute. On 11 March, El Clsicosaw Messi in top form, scoring a hat-trickto earn 10-man Barcelona a 33 draw,equalisingthree times, with the final equaliser coming in injury time.[38] In doing so hebecame the first player since Ivn Zamorano (for Real Madrid in the 199495 season) to
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score a hat-trick inEl Clsico.[39] Messi is also the youngest player ever to have scored inthis fixture. Towards the end of the season he began finding the net more often; 11 of his14 league goals for the season came from the last 13 games. [40]

Messi shortly before scoring a goal against Getafe

Messi also proved the "new Maradona" tag was not all hype, by near-replicatingMaradona's most famous goals in the space of the single season. [41] On 18 April 2007, he

scored two goals during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe, one of which was verysimilar to Maradona's famous goalagainst Englandat the1986 World Cup in Mexico,known as the Goal of the Century.[42] The world's sports press drew comparisons withMaradona, and the Spanish press labelled Messi as "Messidona". [43]He ran about thesame distance, 62 metres (203 ft), beat the same number of players (six, including thegoalkeeper), scored from a very similar position, and ran towards the corner flag just asMaradona did in Mexico 21 years before.[41] In a press conference after the game, Messi'steam-mate Deco said: "It was the best goal I have ever seen in my life."[44] AgainstEspanyol Messi also scored a goal which was remarkably similar to Maradona's goalagainst England in the World Cup quarter-finals. Messi launched himself at the ball andconnected with his hand to guide the ball past the goalkeeperCarlos Kameni.[45] Despite

protests by Espanyol players and replays showing it was clearhandball, the goal stood.[45]

200708 season
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Messi takes Barcelona to 20 against Sevilla at Camp Nou on 22 September 2007

During the 200708 season, Messi scored five goals in a week leading Barcelona to thetop four in La Liga. On 19 September he scored once as Barcelona defeated Lyon30 athome in a Champions League match.[46]He scored two goals against Sevilla on 22

September[47]

and then on 26 September, Messi scored another two goals in a 41 victoryoverReal Zaragoza.[48] On 27 February, Messi played in his 100th official match forBara against Valencia.[49]

He was nominated for a FIFPro World XI Player Awardunder the category of Forward.[50] A poll conducted in the online edition of the Spanish newspaperMarca had him as thebest player in the world with 77 percent of the vote.[51] Columnists from Barcelona-basednewspapersEl Mundo Deportivoand Sportstated that the Ballon d'Orshould be given toMessi, a view supported by Franz Beckenbauer.[52]Football personalities such asFrancesco Totti have declared that they consider Messi to be one of the current bestfootballers in the world.[53]

Messi was sidelined for six weeks following an injury on 4 March when he suffered amuscle tear in his left thigh during a Champions League match against Celtic. It was thefourth time in three seasons that Messi suffered this type of injury. [54]

200809 season

Messi in a match againstDeportivo La Corua

Upon Ronaldinho's departure from the club, Messi inherited his number 10 jersey. [55] On1 October 2008, during a Champions League match againstShakhtar Donetsk, Messiscored two goals during the last seven minutes, after coming on as a substitute forThierryHenry, to turn the score from 10 to a 12 victory forBarcelona.[56] The next league gamewas versus Atltico Madrid, a match billed as a friendly battle between Messi and hisgood friend Sergio Agero.[57] Messi scored a goal from a free kick and assisted anotheras Bara went on to win the match 61.[58]Messi netted another impressivebraceagainstSevilla scoring a volley from 23 metres (25 yd) and then dribblinground the goalkeeper
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and scoring from a tight angle for the other.[59]On 13 December 2008, during the firstClsico of the season, Messi scored the second goal in Barcelona's 20 win over RealMadrid.[60] He was also named second in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Yearawardswith 678 points.[8]

Messi scored his first hat-trick of 2009 in a Copa del Rey tie against Atltico Madridwhich Barcelona won 31.[61]Messi scored another important double on 1 February 2009,coming on as a second half substitute to help Barcelona defeat Racing Santander 12after being 10 down. The second of the two strikes was Barcelona's 5000th league goal.[62] In the 28th round of La Liga, Messi scored his 30th goal of the season in allcompetitions, helping his team to a 60 victory overMlagain the process.[63] On 8 April2009, he scored twice againstBayern Munich in the Champions League, setting apersonal record of eight goals in the competition. [64] On 18 April, Messi notched his 20thleague goal of the season in a 10 win at Getafe, allowing Barcelona to maintain their sixpoint advantage at the top of the league table over Real Madrid.[65]

As Barcelona's season was drawing to a close, Messi scored twice (his 35th and 36thgoals in all competitions) to cap a 62 win overReal Madrid at the Santiago Bernabu[66]in what was Real's heaviest defeat since 1930.[67] After scoring each goal, he ran towardsthe fans and the cameras lifting up his Barcelona jersey and showing another T-shirt thatread Sndrome X Frgil, Catalan forFragile X Syndrome, to show his support forchildren who suffer from the affliction. [68] Messi was involved in the build-up to AndrsIniesta's injury time goal againstChelsea in the Champions League semi-final to sendBarcelona through to face Manchester United in the final. He won his first Copa del Reyon 13 May, scoring one goal and assisting another two, in a 41 victory overAthleticBilbao.[69] He helped his team win the double by winning La Liga. On 27 May he helpedBarcelona win the 2009 UEFA Champions League Finalby scoring a second goal in the

70th minute giving Barcelona a two goal lead; he also became the top scorer in theChampions League, the youngest in the tournament's history, with nine goals. [70] Messialso won the UEFA Club Forward of the Year: and the UEFA Club Footballer of theYearrounding off a spectacular year in Europe.[71]This victory meant Barcelona had wonthe Copa del Rey, La Liga and UEFA Champions Leaguein the one season,[72]and wasthe first time a Spanish club had ever won thetreble.[73]

200910 season

"Once he's on the run, Messi is unstoppable. He's the only player who can change direction at such apace."

"He is the best player in the world by some distance. He's (like) a PlayStation. He can take advantageof every mistake we make."

Arsne Wengerafter Barcelonawon 41 against Arsenal.[74][75]
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Messi in action during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona andManchester City at Camp Nou

Messi during 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.

After winning the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, Barcelona managerJosep Guardiolaassertedthat Messi was probably the best player he had ever seen.[76]

On 18 September, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona, running until 2016 andwith a buy-out clause of 250 million included, making Messi, along withZlatanIbrahimovi, the highest paid players in La Liga, with earnings of around 9.5 million

yearly.[77][78]Four days later, on 22 September, Messi scored two goals and assistedanother in Bara's 41 win over Racing Santander in La Liga. [79] He scored his firstEuropean goal of the season on 29 September in a 20 win overDynamo Kyiv,[80] andthen took his goal tally to six goals in seven games in La Liga with a strike during a 61routing ofReal Zaragozaat Camp Nou.[81][82]

Messi was named winner of the 2009 Ballon d'Oron 1 December 2009, beating runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo by largest ever margin of 473 to 233.[83][84][85] Afterwards, FranceFootball magazine quoted Messi as saying: "I dedicate it to my family. They were alwayspresent when I needed them and sometimes felt even stronger emotions than me."[86]

On 19 December, Messi scored the winner in the final of the2009 Club World Cupagainst Estudiantesin Abu Dhabi, giving the club their sixth title of the year.[87] Two dayslater, he was given theFIFA World Player of the Yearaward; beating Cristiano Ronaldo,Xavi,Kak and Andrs Iniesta to the award. This was the first time he had won theaward, and he became the first Argentinean to ever receive this honour. [88] On 10 January2010, Messi scored his first hat-trickin 2010 and his first hat-trick of the season againstTenerife in the 05 victory,[89]and on 17 January he scored his 100th goal for the club inthe 40 victory overSevilla.[90]
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Messi then started an impressive run scoring 11 goals in five games. First he scored onthe 84th minute against Mlagafor a 21 win,[91]then he scored two goals againstAlmerain a 22 tie.[92] He continued his spree with an impressive week where he scoredeight goals; he started by scoring a hat-trick against Valencia in a 30 home win,[93] thenhe scored two goals against Stuttgart, in a 40 win that secured Barcelona's qualification

to the quarterfinals of the Champions League,[94]

and finally he scored another hat-trickagainst Zaragoza in a 42 away win,[95]becoming the first Barcelona player to scoreback-to-back hat-tricks in La Liga.[96] He played his 200th official match for Barcelonaagainst Osasuna on 24 March 2010.[97]

On 6 April 2010, for the first time in Messi's career he scored four goals in a singlematch, netting the lot in a 41 home win overArsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.[98][99][100]This also saw him overtakeRivaldo as Barcelona's all timegreatest scorer in the competition.[101] On 10 April, Messi scored his 40th goal of theseason when he netted the first goal in a 20 away win against title-rivals Real Madrid inEl Clsico.[102] On 1 May, Messi played his 50th game of the season and scored two goals

on a 41 away win against Villarreal.

[103]

Just three days later, on 4 May, Messi scoredtwo goals in another 41 win at home against Tenerife.[104] Messi scored his 32nd goal ofthe La Ligaseason on 8 May, during an away win against Sevilla,[105] and in the finalmatch against Valladolid, he scored two goals in the second half to tie Ronaldo's clubrecord of 34 goals in a single league season, set in 199697,[106][107] and to finish fourgoals behind the all-time record held by Telmo Zarra.[108] He was named La Ligaplayerof the yearfor the second year in a row on 3 June 2010. [109]

International career

In June 2004, he debuted for Argentina, playing in an under-20 friendly match against

Paraguay.[110] In 2005 he was part of a team that won the 2005 FIFA World YouthChampionship in the Netherlands. There, he won theGolden Ball and the Golden Shoe,[111] scoring in the last four of Argentina's matches and netting a total of six for thetournament.

He made his full international debut on 17 August 2005 againstHungary at the age of 18.He was substituted on during the 63rd minute, but was sent offon the 65th minutebecause the referee, Markus Merk, found he had headbutted defenderVilmos Vanczk,who was tugging Messi's shirt. The decision was contentious and Maradona even claimedthe decision was pre-meditated.[112][113] Messi returned to the team on 3 September inArgentina's 10 World Cup qualifieraway defeat to Paraguay. Ahead of the match he had

said "This is a re-debut. The first one was a bit short." [114] He then started his first gamefor Argentina against Peru; after the match Pekerman described Messi as "a jewel". [115]

On 28 March 2009, in a World Cup Qualifier againstVenezuela, Messi wore the number10 jersey for the first time with Argentina. This match was the first official match forDiego Maradona as the Argentina manager. Argentina won the match 40 with Messiopening the scoring.[116]
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2006 World Cup

The injury that kept Messi from playing for two months at the end of the 200506 seasonjeopardised his presence in the 2006 World Cup. Nevertheless, Messi was selected in theArgentina squad for the tournament on 15 May 2006. He also played in the final match

before the World Cup against the Argentine U-20 team for 15 minutes and a friendlymatch against Angola from the 64th minute.[117][118] He witnessed Argentina's openingmatch victory against Ivory Coast from the substitute's bench.[119] In the next matchagainst Serbia and Montenegro, Messi became the youngest player to represent Argentinaat a World Cup when he came on as a substitute forMaxi Rodrguez in the 74th minute.He assisted Hernn Crespo's goal within minutes of entering the game and also scored thefinal goal in the 60 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and thesixth youngest goalscorer in the history of theWorld Cup.[120]Messi started in Argentina'sfollowing 00 draw against theNetherlands.[121] In the following game against Mexico,Messi came on as a substitute in the 84th minute, with the score tied at 11. He appearedto score a goal, but it was ruled offsidewith Argentina needing a late goal in extra time to

proceed.[122][123]

Coach Jos Pekerman left Messi on the bench during the quarter-finalmatch against Germany, which they lost 42 on apenalty shootout.[124]

2007 Copa Amrica

Messi at the 2007 Copa Amrica

Messi played his first game in the 2007 Copa Amrica on 29 June 2007, whenArgentinadefeated United States 41 in the first game. In this game, he showed his capabilities as aplaymaker. He set up a goal for fellow strikerHernn Crespo and had numerous shots ontarget. Tevez came on as a substitute for Messi in the 79th minute and scored minuteslater.[125]

His second game was againstColombia, in which he won a penalty that Crespo convertedto tie the game at 11. He also played a part in Argentina's second goal as he was fouledoutside the box, which allowed Juan Roman Riquelme to score from a freekick, andincrease Argentina's lead to 31. The final score of the game was 42 in Argentina'sfavor and guaranteed them a spot in the tournament's quarterfinals. [126]
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11/16

In the third game, against Paraguay the coach rested Messi having already qualified forthe quarter-finals. He came off the bench in place ofEsteban Cambiassoin the 64thminute, with the score at 00. In the 79th minute, he assisted a goal forJavierMascherano.[127] In the quarter-finals, as Argentina faced Peru, Messi scored the secondgoal of the game, from a Riquelme pass in a 40 win. [128] During the semi-final match

against Mexico, Messi scored a lob overOswaldo Snchezto see Argentina through tothe final with a 30 win.[129] Argentina went on to lose 30 to Brazil in the final.[130]

2008 Summer Olympics

Messi in the semi-final against Brazil at the 2008 Olympics

Having barred Messi from playing forArgentina in the 2008 Olympics,[131] Barcelonaagreed to release him after he held talks with newly appointed coach Josep Guardiola.[132]He joined the Argentina squad and scored the first goal in a 21 victory over Ivory Coast.[132] He then scored the opening goal and assisted ngel Di Mara in the second to help hisside to a 21 extra-time win against theNetherlands.[133] He also featured in Argentina'smatch against rivals Brazil, in which Argentina took a 30 victory, thus advancing to thefinal.[134] In the gold medal match, Messi again assisted Di Mara for the only goal in a 10 victory overNigeria.[135]

2010 World Cup

Messi played the entire game onArgentina's opening match 10 victory againstNigeria.He had several opportunities to score but was repeatedly denied by Vincent Enyeama.[136]Messi started in Argentina's following 41 win against Korea Republic; he participated inall of the goals of his team and helpedGonzalo Higuan score ahat-trick.[137]On the thirdand last group stage match Messi captained during Argentina's 2-0 win overGreece,again being the centrepoint of Argentina's play and was voted man of the match.[138]

At the Round of 16 he assisted Carlos Tvez for the first goal in a 31 win against

Mexico. The referee awarded that goal even though it was a clearoffside.[139]

Outside football

Personal life
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el_Di_Mar%C3%ADahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands_national_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#cite_note-132%23cite_note-132http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_Olympic_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#cite_note-133%23cite_note-133http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_national_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#cite_note-134%23cite_note-134http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_national_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_national_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Enyeamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#cite_note-135%23cite_note-135http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_Republic_national_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzalo_Higua%C3%ADnhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hat-trickhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#cite_note-136%23cite_note-136http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_B#Greece_vs_Argentinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#cite_note-137%23cite_note-137http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage#Argentina_vs_Mexicohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_T%C3%A9vezhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_national_football_teamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offside_(association_football)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi#cite_note-138%23cite_note-138


12/16

Messi was at one stage romantically linked to Macarena Lemos, also from his hometownofRosario. He is said to have been introduced to her by the girl's father when he returnedto Rosario to recover from his injury a few days before the start of the 2006 World Cup.[140][141] He has in the past also been linked to the Argentine glamour modelLucianaSalazar.[142][143] In January 2009 he told "Hat Trick Bara", a programme on Canal 33: "I

have a girlfriend and she is living in Argentina, I am relaxed and happy".[143]

He was seenwith the girl, Antonella Roccuzzo,[144] at a carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona-Espanyolderby. Roccuzzo is a fellow native of Rosario. [145]They plan to wed near the end of 2010.[144]

Charity

In 2007 Messi established Fundacion Leo Messi, a charity supporting access to educationand health care for vulnerable children.[146][147] In an fansite interview, Messi said: Beinga bit famous now gives me the opportunity to help people who really need it, especiallychildren."[148]

In response to Messis own childhood medical difficulties, the Leo Messi Foundationsupports Argentine children diagnosed with medical conditions by offering treatment inSpain and covering the transport, hospital and recuperation costs.[149]Messis foundationis supported by his own fundraising activity with additional assistance from Herbalife.

On 11 March 2010 Messi was announced as agoodwill ambassadorforUNICEF.[150]Messis UNICEF ambassador activities are aimed at supporting childrens rights. Messiis supported in this by FC Barcelona, who also have a strong association with UNICEF.[151]

Media

He is featured on the front cover of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and is alsoinvolved in promotional campaigns for the game.[152][153] Messi, along with FernandoTorres,[154] is the face ofPro Evolution Soccer 2010, and was also involved in the motioncapturingand the trailer.[155][156][157] Messi is sponsored by the German sportswearcompany Adidas and features in theirtelevision advertisements.[158]In June 2010, Messialso signed a 3 year deal with Herbalife[159]which further supports the Leo MessiFoundation.

Career statistics

As of 16 May 2010.[160]

Club SeasonLeague Cup[nb 1] Europe[nb 2] Club World Cup

Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps G

Barcelona

200405

7 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 9

200506

17 6 3 2 1 0 6 1 1 25
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosario,_Santa_Fehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

messi history

Documents