Lionel Messi News: Soccer Star Wins 8th Ballon d’Or
On October 30, Lionel Messi achieved a record-breaking eighth Ballon d'Or as the world's best male player, adding to his already impressive list of soccer achievements. Erling Haaland of Manchester City was beaten by the Argentine to win the prize.
Messi, who in July reportedly agreed to a $150 million contract with Inter Miami CF, became the first active player in Major League Soccer to receive this honor. But this most recent Ballon d'Or honors the 36-year-old's efforts in helping his nation win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi helped Argentina defeat Kylian Mbappé and France on penalty kicks in the tournament, and he ended with seven goals and three assists. Messi was named the Golden Ball winner as the best player of the competition.
Who is Lionel Messi?
Argentina's national team and the Major League Soccer team currently play under Lionel Messi, an Argentinean soccer player who has played for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami. After FC Barcelona promised to cover the cost of Messi's growth hormone disorder treatment, the teen moved from Argentina to Spain. He became known at the club as one of the greatest players in history, winning over two dozen league championships and competitions with FC Barcelona. Ten years later, he assisted the Argentina national team in winning its third FIFA World Cup, breaking the record for most goals scored in a calendar year in 2012. The eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or relocated to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and he later joined Inter in July 2023.
Early Life of a Soccer Prodigy
On June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Luis Lionel Andres "Leo" Messi was born. Messi, unafraid of the bigger boys, used to follow his two elder brothers when they played soccer with their friends when he was younger. He was enlisted at the age of eight to join Rosario-based club Newell's Old Boys' youth program.
Eventually, doctors determined that Messi's growth was restricted due to a hormone deficiency, as he was noticeably smaller than most children in his age group. Though it quickly became apparent that they would not be able to afford the several hundred dollars per month required for the medication, Messi's parents, Jorge and Ceclia, decided to start their son on a nightly growth-hormone injection regimen.
FC Barcelona
Messi joined FC Barcelona at the age of thirteen. At the age of sixteen, he made his team debut. Messi became the youngest player in franchise history to score a goal on May 1, 2005, sealing his place in history.
Messi led Barcelona to numerous victories, the most notable of which came in 2009 when the team led by the left-footer won the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, and Champions League. After finishing in second place twice in a row, he won his first FIFA World Player of the Year award and the top European football individual award, the Ballon d'Or, in the same year.
Messi became the inaugural Ballon d'Or winner to represent Argentina. Even the legendary Maradona was full of praise for his compatriot. The former player told the BBC, "I see him as very similar to me." "He is a leader who is teaching beautiful football." Compared to other players worldwide, he possesses a unique quality.
Remarkably, the wizard of soccer kept getting better, finding new ways to get past opponents as he guided Barcelona to victories in the 2010 and 2011 La Liga and Spanish Super Cups, as well as the 2011 Champions League.
In 2012, Messi launched an unprecedented offensive against the record books. Early in March, he made Champions League history as the first player to score five goals in a match. A few weeks later,
Paris Saint-Germain
Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain four days after learning the shocking news from FC Barcelona. The 34-year-old signed a two-year deal with the club in France. He was reunited with both the gifted Kylian Mbappé and his old teammate Neymar after the move.
August 29, 2021, marked Messi's club debut, and he scored his first goal in September of that same year. Under Messi, PSG won two Ligue 1 championships, but in the Champions League finals, PSG twice lost in the round of 16.
The team declared that Messi would be released as a free agent upon his contract's expiration on June 30, 2023, even though it permitted him to stay at PSG for an optional third year. After Messi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier in the year, the club fined and suspended him.
Inter Miami
Messi announced his intention to play for the Major League Soccer team Inter Miami on June 7, 2023, to two Spanish media outlets. Inter Miami is owned in part by former soccer player David Beckham. According to ESPN, Messi declared at the time, "I have made the decision that I am going to Miami."
The team formally welcomed him on July 16, a little more than a month later, under a 2.5-year contract that extends through the 2025 campaign. A signing bonus, team equity, and an annual salary between $50 million and $60 million were all reportedly included in the $150 million deal.
What is Lionel Messi's Net worth?
Messi's presence at Inter Miami immediately had positive effects both on and off the field. The squad won the Leagues Cup, an annual competition between MLS and Liga MX teams, after going on a 12-game winning streak. In his final 14 games with the team, Messi scored 11 goals. Nevertheless, Inter Miami lost seven straight games and missed out on the playoffs due to Messi's injury late in the season.
Additionally, Messi has increased the team's revenue directly. The Athletic reports that the least expensive Inter Miami season tickets increased from $485 to $884 per seat between 2023 and 2024. It was not surprising that his jersey shot to the top of the MLS sales chart.
Argentina National Football Team
Eventually, in 2021 and 2022, Messi and Argentina gained enough momentum to win trophies that had eluded them for a long time. Initially, in August 2021, the team defeated Brazil in the Copa America final to win Argentina's first major championship in 28 years. Along with Luis Diaz of Colombia, Captain Messi tied for the most goals scored and won player of the tournament. Greater glory awaited at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar the following year. After a nail-biting match that went into penalty shootouts, Argentina was awarded the trophy. With 26 games played, Messi broke the record for most World Cup appearances and was named the Best FIFA Men's Player for a second time.
