Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, Messi played for the Argentina national team for 21 years, retiring in 2026. He has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballons d'Or, six European Golden Shoes, and being named the world's best player by FIFA eight times. He was named the greatest player of the 21st century by ESPN in 2024, and was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS in 2025. In 2020 and 2023 he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, becoming the first team-sport athlete to win the award. He was among Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023.