![Lionel Messi hoists the World Cup after his side's victory over France in the World Cup final on December 18 at Lusail Stadium [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c1560c_5841203e5d8f45e8891856c71c65bc6f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_882,h_588,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/c1560c_5841203e5d8f45e8891856c71c65bc6f~mv2.jpg)
Rise to stardom for Messi
GOAT (greatest of all times) Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain Football Club and the Argentina national team. Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi started playing football at a young age and joined the youth academy of Newell's Old Boys, a local club in his hometown. Barcelona eventually scouted him and he joined the club's youth academy at age 13.
Over the course of his career, Messi has become one of the most decorated and successful players in the history of football.
He has won a record-tying six Ballon d'Or awards, given to the best player in the world. He has also won numerous other individual accolades, including the Golden Foot, the Golden Shoe, and the European Golden Shoe. In addition, he has won numerous team titles with Barcelona and PSG, including ten La Liga titles, one Ligue 1, and four UEFA Champions League titles.
Messi's talent and skills on the pitch are undeniable. He is known for his exceptional dribbling ability, precise passing, and deadly finishing. He has consistently been one of the top scorers in the world throughout his career. His success and influence on the game of football have made him one of the world's most popular and beloved players.
On the international stage, Messi has represented Argentina in numerous major tournaments, including the World Cup and the Copa America. The year 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar saw Messi and the whole Argentina squad lift the ultimate price in football.
The trophy has eluded his own personal accolades for the entirety of his career.
This remarkable achievement has helped him complete the circle of football's greatest achievements. Now with the World Cup in his trophy cabinet, he is now the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or for a record seventh time which would certainly seal the debate of who is the greatest of all time.
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