He is a famous Argentinian player loved by fans and famed to be the greatest player in modern football. Messi’s record also brims with goal-scoring achievements and record-breaking wins.
Read on as we explore some astonishing facts about Lionel Messi.
All About Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was born in Argentina on June 24, 1987, with an undiagnosed hormone deficiency. His ailment went undiagnosed till young Messi was ten years old. Before then, however, he began playing for the local football team, where he scored nearly 500 goals
At 13, Messi received an offer to train with the FC Barcelona Youth Academy, with the school offering to foot the bill for his medical treatment. This move enabled his entire family to move to Spain.
Shortly after, in his first season, he was the top goal scorer, leading with 36 goals in 30 games. It was a long toll. He rose through the ranks and got attention from big teams.
At 16, Messi began playing for Barcelona, where he became the top goal scorer for the team. He concluded that season after taking the team to an under-20 World Cup title. Shortly after, in 2000, he led Barcelona to win the Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, and La Liga.
His early start didn’t hinder him, as he earned the highest goal scorer record again in 2012 and became the leading scorer. He also won the record for the highest number of goals in a calendar year.
Recent Years
2017 and 2018 saw Lionel Messi improve upon his scoring record. He suffered some injuries, but they didn’t stop him from making legendary shots during his appearances.
In March of that year, Messi became the second player to score their 99th and 100th Champions League goals, leading Barca to the quarter-finals for the 11th consecutive season. He is now one of the wealthiest players of all time.
How He Spends His Money
Messi has always lived a private life. He owns a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale and a Ferrari F430 Spider, among his other cars. These cost thousands of dollars each, reflecting his hard work and earnings. Rumors say he bought the most expensive car ever, which is a 1957 Ferrari 335 Sport Spider Scaglietti, for $37 million.
He owns an old home 16 miles outside Barcelona, in Castelldefels, allowing him a beautiful view of the Catalan Mountains.
Messi also owns a one-zero eco house, designed and customized by Luis Garrido, and Messi spent a whopping $2,000,000 to renovate the place. He enjoys traveling in his private jet, which features two bathrooms, a kitchen, and 16 seats that can be folded into beds.
The jet is valued at $15,000,000, and Messi also travels with his family on a yacht which can cost over $50,000 per week.
Undoubtedly, Messi is one of the best players to set foot on the soccer pitch, and he continues to prove himself in PSG after he departs from Barca and Argentina. Messi earned his World Cup after Argentina beat France in 2022.
Messi has many endorsements to ensure he remains one of the top-earning soccer players. One of these notable deals with Adidas, and they pay a fortune to keep the star as their brand‘s face.
Note, however, that all of Messi‘s business dealings aren’t public, but we know there are several. One of these projects is in Rosario, his hometown in Argentina, where he is noted among the Azahares del Parana project.
The project features a massive park, even gated communities, a 220-yard beach, sports facilities, and a golf course.
Messi also owns a clothing line and a retail outlet, which opened in 2019, named the Messi store. The soccer star is known for his philanthropic projects, like the Leo Messi Foundation, that caters to the needy and less fortunate.