Everyone knows Lionel Messi as one of the greatest footballer whoever lived. Still, there are other important facts about him you didn’t know. In this list of 100 interesting facts about Lionel Messi you will see some important facts about him that will pleasantly surprise you. Enjoy it and click on the share buttons above and below to share it.

• • Born Luis Lionel Andres Messi on june 24 1987 in Rosario Argentina.

• • Parents: Jorge and Ceclia Messi.

• • Joined the Newell’s old boys youth team at the age of 8.

• • Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency.

• • Joined Barcelona at the age of thirteen because his parents couldn’t afford to pay his medical bills.

• • Played in the youth team from 2000 to 2004.

• • Made his debut on October 16 2004 against Espanyol at the age of 17, wearing jersey number 30.

• • He obtained his Spanish citizenship on 26 September 2006.

• • He was the youngest player to play in La Liga until 2007.

• • He came to limelight in 2005, at the age of 16, after making his first appearance for Barcelona and  scoring.

• • He converted two penalties that help Argentina to beat Nigeria for the youth championship in 2005.

• • He made his first champions league debut on September  27 2005 against Udinese.

• • He scored a Maradona’s kind of “HAND OF GOD” against Espanyol.

• • He drew comparison to Maradona’s 1986 world cup “goal of the century” against England in 2006, beating six Getafe players including the goalkeeper to score.

• • He was nominated for FIFAPro world XI award in 2007.

• • He wore jersey number 19.

• • He was also nominated for the world best player in 2007, but came second behind  C Ronaldo.

• • He was nominated for 2007 Ballon D’Or, but came third behind Kaka and Ronaldo.

• • He scored his first hat rick in 2007 in an El classico match breaking a 12 years record by Ivan Zamorano of Real Madrid.

• • He scored 14 goals in 2006/07 season.

• • He played his 100th official game for Barcelona on on February 2007.

• • He failed to score against Manchester united who beat Barcelona and went on to win the champions league.

• • In 2008/9 season, he wore jersey number 10.

• • He scored the 5000th Barcelona goal.

• • He scored one the four goals that won Barcelona copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao on may 13 2009.

• • He won the champions league on 27 2009/10 season.

• • He won the footballer of the year 2009.

• • He also won UEFA Club forward, and footballer of the year 2009.

• • He scored 38 goals at the end of 2009/10 season.

• • He won UEFA Super cup in 2009.

• • He also won the 2009 world club cup.

• • He was ranked the most paid La Liga player alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

• • On April 6 2010 he scored his first 4 goals against arsenal.

• • He broke Rivaldo’s record as the all time greatest champions league goal scorer for Barcelona.

• • He equalled Ronaldo’s record of 34 goals for a single season.

• • He played his 200th official match for Barcelona on august 24 2010.

• • He won La Liga’s best player of the year award.

• • He also won the world best player 2010.

• • He won the Spanish super cup 2010.

• • He won the world club cup and (MVP) respectively in 2011.

• • He won the Ballon D’Or beating his team mates, Xavi and Iniesta.

• • February 2012, Messi made his 200th appearance for Barcelona.

• • On march 20 2012, Messi broke the all time leading goal scorer record of Cesar Sanchez. (232 goals)

• • On April 3 2012, Messi broke Van Nistelrooy’s 12 goals in  a single champions league season record.

• • Messi broke Gerald Muller’s  record of 67 goals in one season with a hat-trick against Malaga on May 2 2012.

• • On 26 may 2012, Lionel Messi won Copa del Rey.

• • He made Champions league top scorer with total of 14 goals.

• • On November 11 Messi took his goal tally to 76, beating Pele’s (1958) record of 75 goals in a calendar year.

• • On 9 December 2012, Messi scored 2 goals against real Betis to beat Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year. (40 years record)

• • At the end of 2012, Messi scored a total of 91 goals, setting a new record.

• • On January 2013, Messi won the Ballon D’Or for 2012, making it four consecutive times.

• • Messi finished 2012/13 season as the highest goal scorer. Scoring a total of 46 goals.

• • Lionel Messi lost the UEFA European best player for 2012 to Frank Ribery.

• • On march 16 2014 Messi became Barca’s all time leading goal scorer, beating Paulino Alcantara.

• • On march 23 2014, Messi became top El Clasico goal scorer, with hat-trick against Real Madrid.

• • He had about two months goal drought.

• • Messi ended the season with 41 goals.

• • On 16 may 2014, Messi signed a new deal with Barcelona.

• • Lionel Messi’s Argentina lost the 2014 world cup to Germany.

• • He won the 2014 world cup golden ball.

• • He has a girl friend named, Antonella

• • Leonel Messi has two sons named Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi.

• • He tattooed his first son’s name and hand print on his left calf.

• • Leo is a UNICEF good will ambassador.

• • He also has his own charity foundation.
  • Married his long time girlfriend ( Antonella Roccuzzo) in 2017

What really makes him unique isn’t his talent and achievements. It is his humility,  I mean, his ability to remain humble, even when he has all it takes to be proud.