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The birth of Lionel Messi
Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini or Lionel Messi is born in the 24th of June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. -
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The beginning of his career
At age 13, he relocated to Spain to join Barcelona. Messi made his debut aged 17 in October 2004. He established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years, finishing 2007 as a finalist for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award. Also,he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, finishing the tournament with both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe, and an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics with his country. -
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His first treble, ballon d'or and Fifa World Player of the Year award
His first uninterrupted campaign came in the 2008–09 season, during which he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football. At 22 years old, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award by record voting margins. -
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The rise of his career
Three successful seasons followed, with Messi winning three consecutive FIFA Ballons d'Or. His best campaign statistically to date was the 2011–12 season, in which he set the La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season, while establishing himself as Barcelona's all-time top scorer in official competitions in March 2012. Also, he and his country qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, but knocked out by Germany in the quarter finals with a humilating 4-0. -
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Two moderate seasons and one outstanding
The following two seasons, Messi finished twice second for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, his perceived career rival. Messi regained his best form during the 2014–15 campaign, breaking the all-time goalscoring records in both La Liga and the Champions League in November 2014 and led Barcelona to a historic second treble in the season 2014-2015. Moreover, he led his country to the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil but lost to Germany again, but that time with a 1-0 score in overtime -
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Domestic Success
In the season 2015-16, Messi broke a huge number of records by himself or with his attacking trio, Luiz Suarez and Neymar, which is considered as one of the best trios in football history. As a result, Barcelona reached a domestic double for the second consecutive season, with the attacking trio breaking the record they had set the previous year of the most number of goals by three players in one season with 131 goals. -
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National failure and retirement from the national team
In the 5th of July 2015 Argentina loses by Chile in the Copa America final in the penalty shootout. In the next year, Argentina had the chance to revenge Chile, as the final was the same. However, Argentina lost in the penalty shootout again, including a missed penalty by Messi. So, after 3 lost finals with his country Messi decides to retire from the Argentinian national team, but takes his decision back. -
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His 4th golden boot
In the year 2016-17 his team only managed to win the Copa Del Rey final with a 3-1 victory over Alaves. But the most remarkable moment was on 23 April, when Messi scored twice in a 3–2 win over Real Madrid. His game-winning goal in stoppage time was his 500th for Barcelona. His memorable celebration saw him taking off his Barcelona shirt and holding it up to Real Madrid fans with his name and number facing the crowd. Also, he won the Golden Boot Award with 54 goals in the season 2016-17 -
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2017–18: Domestic double and a record fifth Golden Boot
In the year 2017-2018 Messi won his 5th golden boot. Also, his team managed to win another double. But after that great season, one of the biggest fails in Argentinian football history was following. The Argentina national team was knocked out by France on the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia in the round of 16. Argentina had qualified for the round of 16 with a last minute goal by Marcos Rojo against Nigeria, which saved them from humilation. Messi retired by the national team again after that. -
Messi becomes the Barcelona captain
Messi became the Barcelona captain with the departure of Andres Iniesta, the former captain. Iniesta went to China and Messi became the Barcelona new captain. He is probably going to be the Barcelona captain until he retires, as he will most likely stay in Barcelona forever. Messi is one of the best footballers ever existed and is considered by many the best of all.