[485] Over time, Messi established himself as their leading brand endorser;[478] from 2008, he had a long-running signature collection of Adidas F50 boots, and in 2015, he became the first footballer to receive his own sub-brand of Adidas boots, the Adidas Messi. [131][132] Two weeks later, on 20 March, Messi became the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking the 57-year record of César Rodríguez's 232 goals with a hat-trick against Granada. ", Argentina fans with Messi and Maradona banners at the, "Leo is not shy. "[464] Moreover, several pundits and footballing figures, including Maradona, have also questioned Messi's leadership with Argentina at times, despite his playing ability. After a 3–0 semi-final victory over Brazil, Messi assisted the only goal in the final as Argentina defeated Nigeria to claim Olympic gold medals. It's hostage to lies and it's sad, "Starlet Messi Stays at Barça until 2014", "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2005–06", "Messi's first UEFA Champions League goal", "Ingla: Rijkaard to Blame for Barça Decline", "Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini: Matches 2006–07", "Dónde Está Messi? After his senior debut in August 2005, Messi became the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup during the 2006 edition, and reached the final of the 2007 Copa América, where he was named young player of the tournament. [387] Messi's three goals saw him become the joint all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with 21 goals, alongside Uruguay's Luis Suárez, overtaking the previous record which was held by compatriot Hernán Crespo. [21][74][75] His efforts in 2007 also earned him award recognition; journalists voted him the third-best player of the year for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, behind Kaká and runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo, while international managers and national team captains voted him second for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, again behind Kaká. [15][16], – Newell's Old Boys youth coach Adrián Coria shares his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi. Even if he is half lame, his presence on the pitch is enough to lift us and our play in general. Indeed, while he was injury-prone in his early career, he was later able to improve his injury record by running less off the ball, and by adopting a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep schedule. [153], After four largely injury-free seasons, the muscular injuries that had previously plagued Messi reoccurred. [170] A third hat-trick, scored against city rivals Espanyol on 7 December, allowed him to surpass César Rodríguez as the all-time top scorer in the Derbi barceloní with 12 goals. Glenn Hoddle Signed Tottenham Hotspur 1986 Soccer Jersey. [137][138], Under manager Tito Vilanova, who had first coached him aged 14 at La Masia, Messi helped the club achieve its best-ever start to a La Liga season during the second half of 2012, amassing 55 points by the competition's midway point, a record in Spanish football. [207], – In an interview with Barcelona's official magazine, Javier Mascherano outlines Messi's importance to the team. [122][123] At the close of the year, on 18 December, he scored twice in the FIFA Club World Cup final, a 4–0 victory over Santos, earning the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, as he had done two years previously. [468][469], Although Messi has at times denied any rivalry,[470][471] they are widely believed to push one another in their aim to be the best player in the world:[163] since 2008, Messi has won six Ballons d'Or to Ronaldo's five,[472] six FIFA World's Best Player awards to Ronaldo's five, and six European Golden Shoes to Ronaldo's four. [262] On 25 May, Messi scored his final goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat to Valencia in the 2019 Copa del Rey Final. As he lacked the stamina of his teammates, the result of his former growth hormone deficiency, he was used as a substitute in six of the nine games. [278], On 22 February 2020, Messi scored four goals in a 5–0 home win over Eibar in La Liga. ... except Leo decision to leave of defeat at a world Cup on 21,. August 2011, Sabella awarded the Golden ball as the best player of the year, Messi finished campaign! Messi on reversing his decision to leave Barcelona in 2018, Messi was to! Clause is set at $ 835 million ( €700 million ) to $! 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