Happy Birthday Lionel Messi: Unknown Facts About World Cup Winner As He Turns 38

By: Suraj Alva | June 24, 2025

Messi scored 672 competitive goals for Barcelona more than anyone has ever scored for one top-level club. The previous record had been held by Pele, who got 643 goals for Santos

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Messi has scored more goals in Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues than anyone else in history. His final goal for Paris Saint-Germain, was the 496th league goal of his European career

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Messi signed his first-ever FC Barcelona contract on a napkin during a meeting with the club's director, Charly Rexach. In 2024, that napkin was sold at auction for nearly $1 million.

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Messi has the most-liked post in Instagram history, with his photo lifting the 2022 World Cup receiving over 74 million likes to date.

Image:LionelMessi/Instagram

Messi has won nine Ballon d'Or awards, the most of any soccer player in history, three more than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Image: LionelMessi/Instagram

Messi holds the record for the most assists in soccer history, with over 400 in his career for club and country.

Image:Lionel Messi/Instagram

Messi signed for Inter Miami in 2023 at anannual salary of $12 million. Messi also received a signing bonus for joining Miami and will receive equity in the club upon his retirement

Image: Lionel Messi/Instagram