On 6 October 2026, at the Más Monumental in Buenos Aires, Lionel Messi pulled on the Argentina shirt for the last time. Fittingly, he went out doing what he has always done: he set up Nicolás Otamendi for the opener, then stepped up to score a penalty in a 3-0 win over Benin. It was his 208th cap and his 126th goal for his country.
Messi continues his club career at Inter Miami, but the end of his Albiceleste story feels like the end of an era for the whole sport. Here's how he got here, and how to celebrate the greatest of his generation with our Lionel Messi collection.
Lionel Messi Fact File
| Full name | Lionel Andrés Messi |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 June 1987 (age 39) |
| Place of birth | Rosario, Argentina |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Forward / right winger |
| Preferred foot | Left |
| Nationality | Argentine (also holds Spanish citizenship) |
| Current club | Inter Miami (MLS) |
| Shirt number | 10 |
| Nickname | La Pulga ("The Flea") |
Career History
| Years | Team | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2021 | Barcelona | 778 | 672 |
| 2021–2023 | Paris Saint-Germain | 75 | 32 |
| 2023– | Inter Miami | Current club | – |
| 2005–2026 | Argentina | 208 | 126 |
Club figures are all competitions.
From Rosario to La Masia
Born in Rosario on 24 June 1987, Messi moved to Barcelona as a 13-year-old, with the club agreeing to fund the growth hormone treatment he needed. He came through La Masia, made his first-team debut as a teenager and became the greatest player in Barcelona's history: 672 goals in 778 appearances, ten La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. Our Messi Barcelona Badge T-shirt is a tribute to those Camp Nou years.
The Long Road With Argentina
For years, international success was the one thing missing. Messi lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and three Copa América finals, and even briefly retired from the national team in 2016 before changing his mind.
The breakthrough came at the 2021 Copa América, won at the Maracanã against Brazil. Then came Qatar 2022: a World Cup Messi dominated, scoring in the final against France and lifting the trophy he had chased his whole career. A second Copa América followed in 2024, and he led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, his sixth World Cup. It's all captured in our Argentina 2026 Icon Frame hoodie.
Where It Started: Germany 2006
Messi's World Cup story began as an 18-year-old in Germany in 2006, when he came off the bench to score against Serbia and Montenegro. Twenty years and six tournaments later, few players have ever matched his longevity on the biggest stage. Our World Cup Sticker hoodie goes back to where it all began.
Honours
Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 2022
- Copa América: 2021, 2024
- Finalissima: 2022
- Olympic gold: 2008
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2005
Barcelona
- La Liga: 10
- Copa del Rey: 7
- UEFA Champions League: 4 (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)
- FIFA Club World Cup: 3
Paris Saint-Germain
- Ligue 1: 2 (2022, 2023)
Inter Miami
- Leagues Cup: 2023
- MLS Supporters' Shield: 2024
Individual
- Ballon d'Or: 8 (a record)
- World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022
- European Golden Shoe: 6
Off the Pitch
Away from football, Messi is a devoted family man, married to his childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo, with whom he has three sons. Through the Leo Messi Foundation he supports children's health and education projects, and he has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2010.
Why Messi Matters
Records only tell part of it. Messi changed what we thought was possible on a football pitch: the low centre of gravity, the dribbles that seemed to bend physics, the vision to thread a pass nobody else could see. For a whole generation he was the reason to watch football, and his international farewell is a moment every fan will remember. For a retro twist on the legend, check out the Messi Legend 8-Bit hoodie.
FAQs
How old is Lionel Messi?
Messi was born on 24 June 1987, so he is 39 years old.
Where was Messi born?
In Rosario, in Argentina's Santa Fe province.
How tall is Lionel Messi?
Messi is 1.70 m, or about 5 ft 7 in.
What teams has Messi played for?
Barcelona (2004–2021), Paris Saint-Germain (2021–2023) and Inter Miami (2023–present), plus Argentina at international level.
How many goals did Messi score for Argentina?
126 goals in 208 appearances, both national records. His final game was a 3-0 win over Benin on 6 October 2026.
Who is Lionel Messi's wife?
Messi is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, whom he has known since childhood in Rosario. They have three sons: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
Shop the Lionel Messi Collection
Celebrate Lionel Messi with our made-to-order hoodies and T-shirts, printed in England in men's and kids' sizes.
See every design in the full Lionel Messi collection, or browse more football legends. Want your own name on the back? Try our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho.
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