The journey of Lionel Messi: great career of honours and awards

Lionel Messi won the Best FIFA Men's Player 2023 award for the second consecutive year, surpassing former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammate Kylian Mbappé and Manchester City's Erling Haaland. This victory marked his eighth Ballon d'Or win at the prestigious Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris on October 30, 2023. Widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time, Messi continues to solidify his legacy in the sport.

"If I told you the things he does in training you wouldn't believe me. He's crazy. I told Leo that as long as he's happy on the pitch, he should continue playing as long as he can. He showed us that there are no limits in football!"

- Lionel Scaloni, Manager of the Argentina national team.

Messi's journey: from health hurdles to world's best player

Who could have anticipated that a child struggling with growth disorder would become a football star? Born on June 24, 1987, in Argentina, Lionel Messi encountered significant challenges early on. Diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at age 10, he stood just 1.27 metres tall, much shorter than his peers. This condition threatened his professional dreams, but he persevered.

Messi's athletic journey began in earnest when he joined FC Barcelona (FCB) at the age of 13. During this time, he underwent daily injections as part of his treatment, which eventually facilitated his recovery and advancement to the first team. Over 17 years with FC Barcelona, Messi earned acclaim for his extraordinary achievements and record-breaking performances. Though he left the club in 2021, his legacy remains intertwined with it. Afterward, Messi played for PSG for two seasons before moving to Inter Miami in June 2023.

Messi's journey with the national team of Argentina started in 2005, leading to notable triumphs, including winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 and being named the best player. Even now, he continues to amaze fans with his inventive tactics against opponents. In an interview, Messi revealed his mindset, stating, "Every time I start a year, I start with the objective of trying to achieve everything, without comparing it to how I've done in other seasons." 

Inter Miami: Messi's latest destination

After his 2022 World Cup victory, offers from various clubs began to flood in, especially after expressing dissatisfaction with PSG. Amidst the swirling rumours, Messi announced his transfer to Inter Miami on June 7, 2023. Embracing a new challenge in Major League Soccer (MLS), and donning the iconic number 10 jersey, Messi’s arrival revitalised both Inter Miami and the MLS, enhancing their sporting and economic impact.

In this regard, The Spanish newspaper Marca reported that "Messi's arrival broke all the schemes in jersey sales on US soil and just 24 hours."Additionally, Simon Evans, the American sports correspondent for Agence France-Presse (AFP), remarked, "I think what Messi's done already is become a national focal point for MLS, which they haven't had before."

Lionel Messi's achievements and awards

Messi's awards and football achievements with his clubs, along with personal accomplishments, are as follows, as outlined on his official website:

With FC Barcelona

• UEFA Champions League - 2005, 2008, 2010, 2014.

• La Liga - 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018.

• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) - 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020.

• FIFA Club World Cup - 2009, 2011, 2015.

• UEFA Super Cup - 2009, 2011, 2015.

• Spanish Super Cup - 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018.

With Paris Saint-Germain 

• Ligue 1 - 2021, 2022.

• Trophee des Champions (French Super Cup) - 2022.

With Inter Miami

• Leagues Cup - 2023.

With Argentina national team

• Copa America - 2021.

• FIFA U-20 World Cup - 2005.

• Olympic gold medal in Beijing - 2008.

• FIFA World Cup - 2022.

• Finalissima trophy - 2022.

Individual Awards 

• Ballon d'Or - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023.

• FIFA World Player - 2009.

• The Best FIFA Men's Player Award - 2019, 2022, 2023.

• European Golden Shoe - 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018.

• Laureus World Sports Award - 2019, 2022.

• Pichichi Trophy in La Liga - 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

• La Liga MVP - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018.

• UEFA Champions League top scorer - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018.

• FIFA FIFPro World XI - 2006.

• UEFA Men's Player of the Year - 2010, 2014.

• Golden Boy - 2005.

• Copa America MVP - 2015, 2021.

• Onze d'Or - 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018.

• Bravo award - 2007.

Records Achieved

• All-time leading scorer for FC Barcelona

• Top goalscorer ever in La Liga.

• Top goalscorer in the 21st century.

• Leading goalscorer in El Clásico.

• Guinness World Record holder for most goals scored for a club (91 goals).

• Leading scorer of all time for South American national teams.

• Recipient of the MVP award in both the 2014 and 2022 World Cups.

• Highest number of games played by a player for Barcelona.

• Most trophies won by a player in Barcelona.

• Record for the most goals scored in a La Liga season (50 goals).

• The highest-scoring player in the Champions with the same club.

• The highest number of games played with Argentina team in its history.

• The Argentine with the most goals ever in the game.

• Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer.

References

[1] fifa.com, Lionel Messi Wins Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2023
[2] as.com, Lionel Messi: The Little Boy Who Became the Greatest in History
[3] biography.com, Lionel Messi - Club Teams: Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami
[4] euronews.com, Lionel Messi: Is He the Greatest Player of All Time?
[5] messi.com, Honours and Achievements