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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Soccer

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history. He currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and captains the Argentina national team.

What it is

Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. He plays as a forward and has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards. Messi is known for his exceptional goal-scoring record, with more than 860 career goals reported by Britannica.

Why it matters

Messi's career includes a FIFA World Cup win with Argentina in 2022, major club honours at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and a move to Inter Miami in 2023. His achievements and longevity make him one of the most decorated footballers in the sport's history.

Canadian connection

Messi's presence in MLS with Inter Miami brings attention to Canadian soccer audiences. The league includes Canadian teams, and matches at venues like BMO Field draw significant interest from fans across Canada.

In short

  • Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, a record total.
  • He led Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
  • He has scored more than 860 career goals.
  • He joined Inter Miami in 2023 and plays in MLS.
Canadian angle

Messi has a Canadian connection through Inter Miami's participation in MLS, which includes Canadian teams and is followed closely by Canadian soccer audiences.

Quick questions

How old is Lionel Messi?
He was born on 24 June 1987, so he is 39 years old.
Where does Lionel Messi play now?
He plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and also captains the Argentina national team.
How many Ballon d'Or awards has Lionel Messi won?
He has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, which is a record total.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi
    Supports: Birth date, current clubs, and eight Ballon d'Or awards.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi
    Supports: Career overview, current club history, World Cup win, and more than 860 career goals.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/45843/lionel-messi
    Supports: Current club, position, birthdate, and birthplace.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2177779/
    Supports: Marriage to Antonela Roccuzzo.
  5. Olympics — https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/lionel-messi
    Supports: Record eight Ballon d'Or awards and club career milestones.