Contract & Future: Signed Inter Miami extension until 2026, set to debut at Miami Freedom Park stadium while retaining club ownership post-retirement
2026 World Cup Quest: Aims to defend Argentina’s title, eyeing historic third World Cup Golden Ball; Argentina already qualified
MLS Revolution: Broke attendance records (62k+ in Chicago), forced rival clubs to relocate games, and elevated MLS’s global appeal
2024 MVP Season: Scored 20 goals, 14 assists, led Inter Miami to 12-game unbeaten streak, and clinched Leagues Cup
Apple TV+ Stardom: Featured in 2024 docuseries Messi’s World Cup and Messi Meets America, revealing 2022 triumph and MLS journey
Presidential Honor: Awarded U.S. Medal of Freedom (2025) for cultural impact, joining Pelé as only non-American soccer recipient
Brand Empire: Built $1B+ empire with lifestyle brand, Adidas collabs, and partnerships (Pepsi, Mastercard) promoting sportsmanship
Early Struggles: Overcame growth hormone deficiency at 10; Barcelona funded treatment, leading to youth stardom at Newell’s Old Boys
Barcelona Legacy: Scored 672 goals, won 34 trophies (10 La Liga, 4 UCL), and broke Gerd Müller’s 91-goal calendar-year record (2012).
Global Icon Status: Holds 8 Ballon d’Ors, 500M+ social followers, and Time’s Athlete of the Year (2023); eyes 2026 retirement send-off.