Biography
Birth day: June 24, 1987
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Nationality: Argentinian
Other nationality: Spanish
EU passport: Yes
Height: 169 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Forward
Debut: 17 November 2003
Lionel Andrés Messi (born June 24, 1987 in Rosario) is an Argentine
football (soccer) player.
Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age in his
hometown's Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a
hormone deficiency and as Lionel's parents were unable to pay for the
treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain.
In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first
team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new
Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made
his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in
Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1).
With several first team players seriously injured, the services of
several reserve team players were called upon, and Messi became a
regular feature of Barça squads. On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest
player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona - against Albacete
when Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old.
He was offered the chance to play for the Spain national football team,
but declined, prefering to wait for the opportunity to play for the
country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in a U-20
friendly match against Paraguay.
Lionel Messi wearing FC Barcelona's colorsIn June 2005 he starred
for the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth
Championship played in The Netherlands.
Messi picked up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the
Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth,
Lionel has already drawn comparisons with Diego Maradona, arguably the
best football player of all time.
On September 25, 2005 Messi obtained a Spanish citizenship and was
finally able to make his debut in this season's Spanish First Division.
He had previously been unable to play because FC Barcelona had filled up
all of their quota of non-EU players.
Messi's first outing in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp was on
Sept 28 against Italian club Udinese. He impressed with some great
passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that
earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful. On
December of that year, the Italian newspaper Tuttosport awarded him the
Golden Boy 2005 title for the best under-21 player in Europe, over Wayne
Rooney and Lukas Podolsk.
Career
FC Barcelona
Messi is an unusual player. He is highly creative, and has the skills to
take on defenders with ease. He is a versatile left-footed player who
can play either in the middle or on either wing, or even as a centre
forward.
Although he is quite short, he is so fast and physically strong that he
can cope with larger opponents. He is incredibly powerful, and a
specialist in such dead ball situations as corners, free kicks and
penalties.
Leo Messi is cool-headed and able to assume several responsibilities in
times of need. He is a player who is destined to have a very successful
career in football.
Argentina
In June 2005 Messi starred for the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship in The Netherlands, picking up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel was already being compared to Diego Maradona, one of the greatest football players of all time. On June 27, 2005 FC Barcelona renewed his contract until 2010, establishing a selling clause of €150 million.
On August 4, José Pekerman called him up to the senior Argentine national team. He made his debut against Hungary - coincientally the very same side that Maradona debuted against for Argentina. However, he only played for three minutes of the game, being shown a red card in his first attempt on goal.
Personal life
Barcelona Player Lionell Messi told in an interview that he had a girl friend who lived in Messi's home country Argentina.His girl friend name Antonella and she is studying till now.The pictures was taken a week ago.Watch Messi's girl friend and Put your valuable commets for Messi.
