When you think of football superstars, Lionel Messi is likely the first name that comes to mind.
The Argentine legend has been dominating the sport for 18 years now at both domestic and international level, and has won almost every trophy imaginable in a remarkable career of longevity.
Even as he gets a year older, Messi is still excelling for PSG and Argentina as he continues to build his legacy, and the 2022 World Cup was no exception as his seven goals led his country to glory in Qatar.
How old is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi is 35 years old after celebrating his latest birthday on June 24, 2022.
Despite his advancing years, Messi is still the star of the show for both his club side PSG and national team Argentina.
He scored 11 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for the Parisian side during the 2021/22 season, while he also helped Argentina to World Cup qualification, assisted twice in the Finalissima victory against Italy and scored all five goals in a friendly rout of Estonia.
He went on to deliver some of his best performances in an Argentina shirt at the 2022 World Cup in December, which ended with the attacker scoring twice, as well as in the final shootout against France, as his country lifted the trophy for the third time in its history.
Lionel Messi's career at Barcelona, Argentina and PSG
Lionel Messi began his career at the academy of Newell's Old Boys before moving across to Barcelona's famous La Masia at the age of 13.
At 16 years, four months and 23 days, Messi made his debut for the Barcelona senior team during a friendly against Jose Mourinho's Porto in November 2003.
His senior professional debut came at 17 years, three months and 22 days old as an 82nd minute substitute in a La Liga match against Espanyol in October 2004 - becoming the youngest player, at the time, to ever represent Barcelona in official competition.
Messi went on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances for the Catalans from 2004 until 2021.
With Barcelona, he won four Champions Leagues, 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Reys, seven Supercopa de Espanas, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups.
At the end of the the 2021 season, Messi moved on a free transfer to PSG, where he won the Ligue 1 title with the Paris giants in his first campaign at the club.
For his national team Argentina, he won the Copa America in 2021, a runner-up at the 2014 World Cup, while he lifted the Finalissima trophy recently after victory against Italy. Messi finally got his hands on the biggest trophy of them all on December 18 though as he guided his team to glory in Qatar in the World Cup final, beating France on penalties.
How many Ballon d'Ors has Lionel Messi won?
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or - football's most recognised individual award - on seven occasions throughout his career.
He has lifted the trophy the most times in history, with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo winning the honour five times.
Messi last won it in 2021, while he also clinched it in 2019, with the 2020 version not held because of COVID-19. Karim Benzema won the 2022 edition.
He also won the Ballon d'Or in 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
