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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The 48th edition of the Copa América clinched by Argentina and hosted by the United States witnessed women referees breaking through the barriers and creating history. Copa América 2024 became the first edition in the history of the oldest national team tournament to be officiated by female referees. The 2024 Copa América included a total of 101 match officials, eight out of which were female. The revolutionary decision of South America’s football ruling body CONMEBOL  to include women as official referees in the 2024 Copa América edition served as a leading example to encourage women’s participation in such male-dominated sports. 

In this article, we will take a look at the top five female referees who created history at the Copa América 2024. 

• Edina Alves Batista

Brazilian association female football referee, Edina Alves Batista, has officiated numerous high-stakes soccer tournaments, including the 2018 Copa América Femenina, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia. Edina Alves Batista was one of the eight women referees to officiate the recently concluded 2024 Copa América tournament. The Brazilian female football referee undoubtedly made history by solidifying her place as one of the top five female referees to officiate at the 48th edition of the Copa América. Ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, Edina Alves Batista has also been picked up by FIFA as a crucial member of the officiating pool, speaking volumes about her inspiring officiating journey. 

• Tori Penso

Mary Victoria Penso, popularly referred to as “Mary Victoria” and “Tori Penso”, is the second on our list of top five female referees who made history at the Copa América 2024. Mary Victoria officiated the match between Bolivia and Panama on July 2, 2024, and solidified herself as the first woman referee to officiate a high-action match in the history of Copa América. Earlier, Mary Victoria Penso also smashed the record for being the first American woman referee to officiate a FIFA World Cup match at the 2023 FIFA World Cup Final. Additionally, Mary Victoria also officiated the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the American referee Mary Victoria will also be officiating for FIFA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

• Tatiana Guzmán

Nicaraguan Association football referee and former football player, Tatiana Auxiliadora Guzmán Alguera, popularly referred to as “Tatiana Guzman”, was also a part of the officiating pool at the 2024 Copa América, revolutionizing the history of the oldest continental football tournament. Tatiana Guzman was picked by South America’s football ruling body CONMEBOL to officiate the 2024 Copa América as a video assistant referee, which happened for the first time in the history of the Copa América tournament, garnering immense praise and acknowledgement from the football aficionados and global sports fraternity at large. Tatiana Guzman did an incredible job as a video assistant referee (VAR) and established herself as one of the top five female referees to make history at the 2024 Copa América.

• Migdalía Rodriguez

Migdalía Rodriguez served as a leading example for women referees at the 2024 Copa América to thrive and achieve exemplary milestones. Migdalía Rodriguez officiated the 48th edition of Copa América as an assistant referee and successfully solidified her place as one of the top five female referees to make history at the Copa América 2024. Apart from her formidable feat at the 2024 Copa América, Migdalía Rodriguez has also achieved numerous other phenomenal milestones as a female referee. Migdalía Rodriguez was the first woman referee to officiate a Caribbean series game that took place in Jalisco, Mexico on February 3, 2018. Additionally, Migdalía Rodriguez also became the first female referee ever to officiate a World Baseball Classic Game in 2023. 

• Kathryn Nesbitt

Kathryn Nesbitt has been a prominent name in the world of football, officiating in numerous high-stakes football leagues and tournaments. American female referee Kathryn Nesbitt made highlights for being the first female referee ever to officiate FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Additionally, Kathryn Nesbitt also created history after being selected as the first female referee to officiate in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs in 2020. The 48th edition of Copa América proved to be yet another game changer for the trailblazer as she was officially selected by the CONMEBOL to officiate the 2024 Copa América as a video assistant referee (VAR), making her way gracefully into our list of top five female referees to make history at the 2024 Copa América.

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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.

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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.

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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.