Lionel Messi: 10 Essential Numbers

As mentioned previously, I can’t play soccer, nor do I understand the nuances of the game. I do, however, recognize greatness, and in Lionel Messi, that attribute runs deep. Here are 10 numbers you should know about the legend.

 

1987

The year Messi was born, that being in Rosario, Argentina, the country’s third largest city, located about 186 miles northwest of Buenos Aires. As is the case for many Argentinians, his family’s roots can be traced to Italy.

 

67

Messi’s height in inches, achieved with growth hormone treatment after a childhood diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency.

 

13

The age at which Messi, a soccer prodigy, signed a contract with FC Barcelona, one of the elite club teams in Spain (and all of the world). By the age of 17, he had appeared in his first match.

 

2021

The year Messi left Barcelona—the only club for whom he had played professionally—for Paris Saint-German, the premier team in France.

 

26

The number of World Cup matches played by Messi, the most of any player in the tournament’s history. Participating in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022, it was his most recent match—the one that won him his first World Cup and Argentina’s third overall—that was the most memorable.

 

1

The number of times Messi announced his retirement from the Argentinian national team. After the announcement in 2016, the country’s president and thousands of supporters got involved, convincing Messi to reverse course shortly thereafter.

 

A ton

The number of awards, trophies, and records—both at the club level and internationally—that Messi has accumulated throughout his career.

 

130 million

An estimate in US dollars of Messi’s annual income—both on-field and off-field—making him the world’s highest paid athlete as of 2022. His family, particularly his father, is heavily involved in the finances, labeled by some as a family business. Along the way, a couple tax evasion scandals have been handled by paying arrears and/or fines.

 

5

Messi’s age when he first met Antonela Roccuzzo, a native of Rosario who would become his wife. The couple has three children.

 

0

The number of humans who have played soccer better than Messi. Have a look.

 

So here’s to Lionel Messi—with a song, of course.

(Image courtesy Abdullah Munzer)