Lionel Messi, who is widely known as the GOAT of football, has had an outstanding career. Messi was born on 24 June 1987, and today marks his 38 birthday. 

Lionel Messi began his football journey at Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina before moving to Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 13. He quickly rose through the ranks, making his first-team debut at 16. His breakthrough moment came in the 2004-05 season when he helped Barcelona win La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. 

A Career To Remember

Over the years, Lionel Messi has become synonymous with football. He became Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer and set multiple records, such as most goals in La Liga history and most assists in official football history.

His 2011-12 career specifically was historic. He broke a 38-year-old record for most goals in a single European league season. Messi won six European Golden Shoes, a record still unmatched by any other player and earned eight Ballon d’Or awards, which is again unmatched. 

Lionel Messi has been the key player for Argentina. He won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005, the Olympic gold medal in 2008, the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Throughout his career, Messi has won an unmatched number of trophies, which is 45 collective titles, including 10 La Liga championships, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, multiple Copa del Rey wins, and domestic cups with Barcelona. 

After leaving Barcelona in 2021 due to financial constraints at the club, he continued his success with Paris Saint-Germain, winning Ligue 1 titles, and later with Inter Miami, securing the Leagues Cup and the MLS Supporters’ Shield.

Individually, Lionel Messi holds numerous records: most goals in La Liga, most hat-tricks (36), most FIFA FIFPRO World XI appearances (17), and the Guinness World Record for most official goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012). He has been recognised repeatedly as the best player globally with awards including three The Best FIFA Men’s Player honours and multiple Laureus World Sports Awards. As the world celebrates a legend’s birthday, let’s take a look at his career stats. 

Lionel Messi’s Career Stats

Club Football

For Argentina

Club Football Competitions

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Football at the Olympic Games became first protected in Paris in 1900 as a guys’s competition sport.

The guys’s Olympic football opposition has been regularly staged in each edition of the quadrennial event, except within the inaugural summer Olympics in 1896 and on the 1932 summer season Olympics in L.A.

Club Français (France), Université de Bruxelles (Belgium) and Upton Park (brilliant Britain) were the three groups that competed inside the inaugural edition of the men’s Olympic soccer competition.

splendid  Britain won the gold medal within the guys’s Olympic football competition at Paris 1900. France clinched the silver medal at the same time as Belgium claimed bronze.

In the meantime, FIFA has restrained the participation of elite gamers inside the men’s matches in numerous ways as a way to keep away from competition with the Arena Cup.

For the reason that at the at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, guys’s participating teams had been limited to below-23 gamers at the marquee occasion, with a maximum of 3 overage gamers allowed due to the fact that Atlanta 1996.

Hungary and first-rate Britain have the maximum gold medals in guys’s soccer at the Olympics, with 3 each.

The likes of Brazil, Argentina, Spain, the Soviet Union, and Uruguay have bagged the gold two times each.

Brazil are the most embellished crew in the men’s soccer competition with seven medals, comprising two gold, three silver, and two bronze.

However, the women’s football opposition has been performed at the summer Olympics due to the fact that Atlanta 1996.

The US had been the most dominant crew within the ladies’s football opposition with seven medals. They have received 5 gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

Also Read: Spain’s Lamine Yamal Becomes Youngest Goal Scorer In Euro History

On average, the Olympic football winners listing is dominated via the US, with 8 medals in guys’s and ladies’s events. know the champions in guys’s and women’s competitions.

Olympic football winners list: Know the champions

Men’s Olympic Football Winners list

Women’s Olympic Football Winners List

Olympic football winners list: Overall medal table

Total medals won (men’s and women’s), including 1900 and 1904

]]> https://sportingscroll.com/2024/canada-shocks-copa-america-best-in-north-america/3924/ Tue, 09 Jul 2024 10:17:13 +0000 https://sportingscroll.com/?p=3924 Canada, the surprise of Copa America, reaches the semifinals! Can Les Rouges upset Argentina? Their journey, coach Marsch's impact, and a look at Canada's future in soccer.]]>

Canada the surprise team of the 2024 Copa America has emerged as the sole representative of Concacaf in the semifinals. While powerhouses like the US and Mexico stumbled Les Rouges have impressed with a blend of talented players and an exciting style of play.

From Qualifiers to Contenders

Canada’s journey began with their dominant performance in World Cup qualifying. They were not just punching above their weight. They were staking their claim as a legitimate force in soccer. This momentum carried over to Copa America where their roster boasts stars like Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.

Marsch’s Impact

Despite joining just before the tournament manager Jesse Marsch has instilled his philosophy in the team. Their high-octane, attacking approach evident in the early goal against Venezuela assisted by a throw-in and aggressive runs reflects his vision. The players are bought in, showcasing a dedication to Marsch’s tactics.

Facing Adversity

Canada’s path has not been entirely smooth sailing. The federation’s financial struggles stemming from a questionable sponsorship deal add another layer to their story. However they have capitalized on a fortunate draw that included a winnable group and a favourable quarter-final opponent.

Also Read:Top 5 Football Records That Might Never Be Broken

Shining in the Spotlight

With Mexico and the US out Canada finds itself the sole Concacaf representative basking in the regional spotlight. Their upcoming semi-final against Argentina presents a massive opportunity. An upset could solidify Canada’s position as a rising star in soccer and set the stage for a potentially historic World Cup on home soil in 2026.

BR Football Said: Canada reach the semifinals in their first-ever Copa América. 

Incredible 

Canada reach the semifinals in their first-ever Copa América.

Incredible 👏 pic.twitter.com/c0gjn8UQgt

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 6, 2024

A sporting icon in Canada after his 2010 Olympics ice hockey final golden goal, Sidney Crosby watched on as Jesse Marsch’s team booked a Copa America semi-final spot.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star then joined dressing room celebrations & provided some inspiration

A sporting icon in Canada after his 2010 Olympics ice hockey final golden goal, Sidney Crosby watched on as Jesse Marsch's team booked a Copa America semi-final spot.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star then joined dressing room celebrations & provided some inspiration

📝 @joshuakloke pic.twitter.com/7ijyz3cjdt

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 6, 2024

Argentina’s star footballer, Lionel Messi, is celebrating his 37th birthday today. Argentina’s legendary footballer, Lionel Messi, is often called the greatest footballer of all time. Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. But no one had thought that this child would one day become the uncrowned king of the football world.

Record for Most Goals in the UEFA Champions League Group Stage

This legendary Argentine footballer, Lionel Messi, also holds the record for scoring the most goals in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Lionel Messi has scored a total of 80 goals in the Champions League group stage so far.

Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo To Not Rest In Euro 2024 Matches

Record for Most Goals in a Calendar Year

This legendary Argentine footballer, Lionel Messi, scored a total of 91 goals for his club. This record of scoring the most goals in a calendar year still stands today. At that time in the year 2024, Lionel Messi scored 672 goals while playing for his club Barcelona, ​​while he scored a total of 108 goals while playing for Argentina.

El Clásico Hat-Trick 

Early in Messi’s career, an important event happened. He played in El Clásico, the biggest rivalry in Spanish football, against Real Madrid, his bitterest opponent, at the age of barely 19. Despite the strain, Messi performed brilliantly and scored a hat-trick. With his signature dribbling, he slipped by defenders, leaving them clutching for air. With this performance, he made his debut as a worldwide superstar.

Copa America Glory

International achievement missed Messi for a considerable amount of time. But in 2021, he eventually led Argentina to Copa America success, bringing an end to the national team’s 28-year trophy drought.  His strategic playmaking, inspirational leadership, and game-winning goals were key components of Argentina’s triumph during the tournament. His critics who doubted his dedication to the national team were slowed by this victory.

Also Read: Facts About Lamine Yamal The Youngest Ever Euro Player

Magical Free-Kick vs. Real Betis

Messi’s brilliance remained even in his more experienced years. He curled a free-kick over the wall in a La Liga encounter against Real Betis with such accuracy and perfection that it left the goalkeeper still on the spot. The Betis supporters gave the goal a standing ovation in recognition of its bravery and genius-a rare display of praise from the supporters of a rival team.

2022 World Cup Triumph 

In 2022, the grand prize was delivered. Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar.  He showed his leadership and experience throughout the competition, punctuated with moments of individual excellence. He made his name in World Cup history with two goals and the conversion of a key penalty in the final against France. His reputation as the best player of his generation and possibly all time was confirmed by his achievements.