Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi
Personal information
Full name	Lionel Andrés Messi
Date of birth	24 June 1987 (1987-06-24) (age 23)
Place of birth	Rosario, Argentina
Height	1.69 m (5 ft 7 inch)
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	Barcelona
Number	10
Youth career
1995–2000	Newell’s Old Boys
2000–2004	Barcelona
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2005	Barcelona B	22	(6)
2004–	Barcelona	164	(112)
National team
2005	Argentina U20	7	(6)
2008	Argentina U23	5	(2)
2005–	Argentina	54	(16)

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi born 24 June 1987 is an  Argentine footballer who currently plays for Bercelona and the Argentina National team as a forward or winger. He also holds Spanish citizenship, which makes him eligible as a EU player. Considered one of the best football players of his generation and frequently cited as the world's best contemporary player,  Messi received several Ballon d’Or   and FIFA World Player of the year nominations by the age of 21 and won both by the age of 22. He also won the 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or at the age of 23. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to, Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor"