Celebrating Messi at 38: 38 Remarkable Facts About the Football Legend

Celebrating Lionel Messi’s 38th Birthday

On June 24, Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine forward currently playing for Inter Miami, reaches a milestone birthday at 38. To honor this legendary athlete, we’ve gathered an impressive array of 38 statistics and intriguing tidbits that showcase Messi’s extraordinary talent and career in football.

Messi’s Record-Breaking Statistics

1. 672 goals for Barcelona makes Messi the record holder for the most goals scored for a single club at the top level, surpassing Brazilian legend Pele.
2. His career total stands at 866 goals, including contributions from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentina national team, with 725 scored with his left foot.
3. In 2012, Messi scored an astonishing 91 goals across all competitions, breaking Gerd Muller’s record for most goals in a calendar year.
4. Messi scored more goals in Europe’s top five leagues than any other player, with 496 goals in total.
5. He has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, more than any other player in history.
6. Messi is the only player to win the Golden Ball twice for the FIFA World Cup (2014, 2022).
7. He recorded six separate seasons with over 50 club goals, with a personal best of 73 in 2011-12.
8. Messi surpassed the winning margin of George W. Bush in the controversial 2000 U.S. Presidential election with his goal tally for Barcelona.
9. He relocated to Barcelona at age 13, debuting for the first team in 2004 and winning 35 trophies before moving to PSG.
10. His tally includes 112 goals for Argentina, making him one of three players to surpass 100 international goals.
11. At the 2022 World Cup, Messi scored in each knockout stage, a milestone feat.
12. He has achieved eight Champions League hat-tricks, the most of any player.
13. Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at age 10, Messi reached a height of 5’7″.
14. He has completed the UEFA treble on two occasions (2009, 2015).
15. Messi won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 with Argentina.
16. Throughout his career, Messi has recorded 59 hat-tricks, with his first coming at age 19.
17. He contributed to 7% of Barcelona’s total goals during his 17-year tenure.
18. Despite his prolific scoring, he has never scored in the very first minute of a match.
19. Messi has been sent off three times in professional play.
20. He has won 40 trophies with his clubs, averaging a trophy every 22 appearances.
21. The record for goals in a single game is held by Messi, with five goals for both Barcelona and Argentina.
22. His appearances at World Cups total 26, setting records in history.
23. Messi’s time with Argentina amounts to nearly 16,000 minutes of play.
24. Messi has scored the most goals against Sevilla, with a total of 38.
25. He has worn various jersey numbers for Argentina, eventually choosing the iconic No. 10.
26. Messi has scored a total of nine goals against Arsenal in Champions League history.
27. His free kick accuracy has led to 68 successful attempts.
28. Messi holds the record for most games played in Copa America.
29. His scoring prowess in the 2010s nearly rivaled that of Sunderland during their time in the Premier League.
30. He enjoyed a scoring streak of ten consecutive matches for Barcelona.
31. Messi had a 12-match scoring drought early in his career that he ended with a hat-trick against Real Madrid.
32. His World Cup celebration post earned over 74.6 million likes on Instagram, becoming the most liked post ever.
33. Messi became the first MLS player ever to record five assists in a single match.
34. Currently, Messi’s professional game count stands at 1,108, showcasing his extensive experience.

Messi’s Enduring Legacy

Messi’s journey through football has not only shaped him into a global sports icon but has also made him a central figure in the hearts of fans worldwide. As he celebrates this major birthday, his legacy is firmly etched in football history, and fans eagerly anticipate what comes next for this remarkable athlete.