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(2014) The construction of emotional bonds between stars, audiances (fans) and the club.

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(2014) The construction of emotional bonds between stars, audiances (fans) and the club.

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In October 2014, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of Messi's official appearance for the FC Barcelona senior A team, Bleacher Report compiled the evaluations of Messi's famous teammates over the past ten years. Nothing satisfies fans' desire to peer into a football star's personality more than the opinions of teammates who live with him day and night.

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On October 16, 2004, Lionel Messiat just 17 years and 114 days old-ran on to the pitch at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium to make his La Liga debut for the Blaugrana as a substitute for Deco against Espanyol.

He made an eight-minute cameo, the first major step toward a stellar career that would see the waif from Rosario with an iron will and a golden touch overcome every obstacle put in front of him to become, arguably, the greatest player in the game.

Barcelona legend Xavi-no slouch himself on the greatness front-speaks for many when he says: "Messi is on a level above all others; those who do not see that are blind."

For the young, reserved Leo, his debut was justification for the efforts made since he first arrived in a strange town in a new country, on a different continent, four years and 28 days earlier.

"Be careful with him, he's very small, don't break him," Rodolfo Borrell, Leo's first coach at Barcelona, told the other players, with eyes particularly focused on Gerard Pique.

Borrell was fully aware that in this bear pit, it was every boy for himself, and the young Leo only just made it up to Pique's mountain-man waist.

"We thought he was mute," Pique would tell me later. "He was short, he hardly said a word and no one could have imagined what was going to happen."

In fact, Messi was so shy that he would arrive before the rest of the youngsters so he could get changed in private and, if they were already there, he would change outside.

The other players would mock him as he bandaged his ankles, a custom learnt from his days in Argentina where the practise is carried out to prevent sprains.

"He had longish hair and spoke soft, quiet Argentinian so you could hardly hear him. In fact he hardly spoke at all. He was a noodle. We thought this bloke is a waste of space," said another of his then-team-mates, Cesc Fabregas.

It would not be long before they would discover that Leo preferred to do his talking on the pitch. "How can we be careful?" said Pique to the amusement of all gathered. "We can't even get close to him."

But the battles Leo faced on the pitch were as nothing to those he, and his family, encountered off it. For a long period of time, he was prevented from playing at the level he should have been because he lacked the necessary permission from the federation.

Leo and his family sought solace in the Argentinian community and restaurants of Barcelona and Castelldefels, which would provide them with those reminders of where they were from, what they'd left behind and what they so desperately missed.

He had only come to Barcelona because the clubs in his own country had been either unwilling or unable to finance the injections he needed twice a day to replace the growth hormone missing from his body.

His talent was so obvious that the season he made his debut for the first team saw him play for no fewer than five different sides in the Barcelona set-up, namely the Youth B, Youth A, Barcelona C, Barcelona B and then the first team.

Even before his debut against Espanyol, Leo was called up into the first-team squad two years and nine months after the family's first uncertain trip to Barcelona for a friendly match to commemorate the opening of the new Estadio do Dragao in Porto.

With 15 minutes of the match remaining and wearing the No. 14 shirt of Johan Cruyff, Leo Messi made his first appearance for the first team.

His father, Jorge Messi, remembers it well, saying: "The truth is that we did cry. For us, this was a dream come true, because we never believed that he would make his debut on that day.

"When he came on, we wept. I believe it was a reward, the reward for the sacrifices he had made."

But everything has a price. They would not be the last tears-both in joy and sadness-to be shed by a family proud of everything achieved by the mercurial superstar, but ripped apart as they struggled, ultimately unsuccessfully, to settle in the city where Leo would go on to triumph.
*All quotes and information sourced first-hand

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Lionel Messi Travels 10 Years from Shy Uncertainty to Stellar Name at Barcelona

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On October 16, 2004, Lionel Messi - at just 17 years and 114 days old - ran on to the pitch at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium to make his La Liga debut for the Blaugrana as a substitute for Deco against Espanyol...

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At this time, Messi was shy and not inclined to engage with others, but his innate kindness and sublime skill meant he became a treasured gem for all around him. Everyone was doing their utmost to protect and guide him; Messi at this stage simply needed to enjoy the achievements afforded by his gifts without restraint. In the eyes of the media, Messi is a spoiled, pure-hearted genius child.

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The renaissance star of the national team (2008)

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The renaissance star of the national team (2008)

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At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Messi won his first national team championship. For the first time, the glory of the Argentine covered the easternmost tip of the Eurasian continent. What is surprising is that the Chinese media, the organizer of the event, actually used the word "king" this time on such a young newcomer. This not only shows that the rest of the world recognizes Messi's achievements at this stage, but also shows that Messi's kingly demeanor has been widely known.

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Messi and Argentian, King and storm -- china.org.cn

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“King” Lionel Messi guided the Argentina storm to final glory at Beijing Olympic men’s soccer tournament. It’s a fairy tale ending -- the best team took the gold medal and other respectable teams like Nigeria and Cote d’Iovire got their rewards.

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(2006) Expectations from Maradona, the greatest  football legend in history.

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(2006) Expectations from Maradona, the greatest  football legend in history.

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Argentine legend Diego Maradona has hailed 18-year-old Barcelona player Lionel Messi as his successor after he excelled in the Champions League at Chelsea. With his extraordinary talent, this young adult was given extremely high expectations. Argentine fans seemed to have seen the emergence of a brand new Maradona.

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Messi is tipped as the next Argentina legend

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has hailed Barcelona's Lionel Messi as his successor after the 18-year-old's Champions League display at Chelsea.
He said: "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi.

"Messi is beautiful to watch - my kind of player in our blue and white jersey.

"He's a leader and is offering classes in beautiful football. He has something different to any other player in the world," added Maradona.

And the former World Cup-winning captain said: "Messi is the best player in the world, along with Ronaldinho. I see him as very similar to me."

Former Barcelona player and coach Johan Cruyff said Messi "is the reason why Barcelona are a better team this season. The boy can conquer the whole stage".

Last June Messi was the inspiration behind Argentina's under-20 World Cup win. He was named player of the tournament in Holland and was also the leading goalscorer.

He has been capped by the full Argentina side, but was sent off just two minutes into his debut against Hungary in August.

Argentina boss Jose Pekerman is under mounting pressure to include Messi in his World Cup squad.

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BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Maradona hails Messi as successor

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Diego Maradona says Barcelona's Lionel Messi will inherit his place in Argentina's football history.

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Heroes cherish heroes: Maradona plea to Messi (2016)

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Heroes cherish heroes: Maradona plea to Messi (2016)

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Maradona, the spiritual symbol of Argentina, joins outcry over captain’s international retirement:
‘I want him to fight against all those who abandoned him’

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Diego Maradona plea to Lionel Messi: don’t quit Argentina

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Diego Maradona has called on Lionel Messi to change his mind after the Argentina captain announced he was quitting

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A stable persona creates a lifelong contract that signals trust

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A stable persona creates a lifelong contract that signals trust

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Messi has signed a unique lifetime contract with Adidas, marking a time when the best in football will forever be tied to Europe's largest football equipment manufacturer. Adidas later spent a lot of money to build Messi's personality and business marketing empire, which was the foreshadowing.

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Lionel Messi's contract negotiations with his club have been ongoing for months, but it seems he has much less trouble when it comes to signing a deal with his favoured boot manufacturer.

While he continues to work out terms with Barcelona, Messi has reaffirmed his commitment to adidas and will continue to wear their footwear while performing his skills on the pitch.

The five-time Ballon D'Or winner confirmed the deal in a post on his official Facebook page.

Along with a picture of a smiling Messi putting pen to paper was a message which said: 'Happy to be able to continue working with adidas many more years!'

One contract he has not yet signed is an extension on his deal at the Nou Camp, which runs out at the end of next season.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique will want his star forward to sign a new deal as soon as possible, as speculation will only grow the longer the Argentina star does not extend his contract in Catalonia.

The 29-year-old has spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, scoring 487 goals in 564 games, including 31 in as many matches so far this campaign.

As well as the five awards for being the world's best player he has scooped individually, while with Barca Messi has won four Champions League trophies, eight La Liga titles, four Copa de Rey finals, and three Club World Cups.

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Barcelona star Lionel Messi signs new deal... with boot maker adidas

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Lionel Messi's contract negotiations with his club have been ongoing for months, but it seems he has much less trouble when it comes to signing a deal with his favoured boot manufacturer.

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2.  "King of Catalonia": Unprecedented club honours

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2.  "King of Catalonia": Unprecedented club honours

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Messi's style of play is gradually taking shape at this stage. His unique talent and strong teammates helped him achieve an unprecedented four consecutive Ballon d'Or awards. The streets of Catalonia are filled with red and blue No. 10 elements. Messi and Barcelona are invincible both at home and in Europe. This gave this offensive core unprecedented mass support and appeal in the city.

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3.  The fall of national hope and the cowardice of Argentina.

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3.  The fall of national hope and the cowardice of Argentina.

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The three losses of championships at international competitions and absence of glory with the club have brought him the most questioning voices. His personal honors were also totally monopolized by his arch-enemy Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, undermining Messi's portrayal of invincibility.

Messi's reputation suffered disaster after the high-profile tax evasion case and retirement from the national team. For the first time, sponsors saw the risk of public opinion on their ambassador, and labels of failure and national betrayer gradually etched onto Messi's star image.

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(2009) The introverted boy stood on top of the world for the first time. 

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(2009) The introverted boy stood on top of the world for the first time. 

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The youthful face and agile body are the impression most fans have of Leo. With a full season of top performances in La Liga and the Champions League, no one will describe him as a "prodigy" anymore. On the contrary, Lionel Messi began to become a real superstar that can go down in history.

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Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or by record margin as Barcelona dominate voting

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Lionel Messi beat last year’s winner of the Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo, into second place with Barcelona effectively having four players in the top five

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The 18-year-old Messi made his World Cup debut and scored and assisted (2006)

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The 18-year-old Messi made his World Cup debut and scored and assisted (2006)

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Unlike many new stars, Messi had a very smooth start to his career, but he was also under the pressure of being appointed by Maradona as his heir apparent. Fortunately, the greeting gift he brought to the Argentine people was perfect.

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Lionel Messi's #FIFAWorldCup debut in 2006 | Goal and Assist

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(2000) The beginning of a fairy tale: Spanish football super giant Barcelona signed the 13-year-old Lionel Messi.

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(2000) The beginning of a fairy tale: Spanish football super giant Barcelona signed the 13-year-old Lionel Messi.

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In a 2018 interview, Barcelona scout Carles Rexach recalled how it was 22 years ago until he made a written promise to his father on a restaurant napkin to sign Leo Messi. This serendipitous story with a slightly legendary flavor spread widely and was often seen as the beginning of Messi's image as the "son of Catalonia."

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How Lionel Messi signed for Barcelona on a napkin! 📝😮

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Record-breaking 91 goals scored in a calendar year (2012)

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Record-breaking 91 goals scored in a calendar year (2012)

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2012 was clearly the peak of Messi's professional skills, and he embodied everything a forward on the football pitch can do. German legend Gerd Muller's annual record of 85 goals was broken by this genius after decades of dust. People realised that this shy little man was rewriting football history drastically.

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As 2012 draws to its conclusion Daniel Storey salutes our man of the year Lionel Messi. The Argentine has enjoyed unprecedented success, with 90 goals in a calendar year simply phenomenal. For all the platitudes we bestow on him though he remains a model of humility. Quite remarkable.

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Messi spoke to ESPN after making his Barcelona debut (2003)

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Messi spoke to ESPN after making his Barcelona debut (2003)

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At this time, the 16-year-old Messi had just entered the training of Barcelona's professional team. Many people looked back on this interview more than ten years later, just like recalling the cute appearance of the child they watched grow up. This footage is considered the earliest interview of Messi seen by Barcelona fans, and the first image already showed Messi's shy, simple and intelligent image.

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The Life of The 16 Year Old Lionel Messi ● Rare Interview

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Evaluated by the media as “OLD FASHIONED CHIVALRY”

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Evaluated by the media as “OLD FASHIONED CHIVALRY”

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Disordered private lives of football players have long ceased to be sensational news and can even be regarded as commonplace. Messi's loyalty to his family and his consistently kind nature are even more precious in this chaotic era. This has made Messi a positive image suitable for “family dinner topics”.

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Lionel Messi via ESPN FC YouTube, screenshot

If you're looking for a professional athlete that fully encapsulates old fashioned values such as family, masculinity, and being a good person to others, Lionel Messi is probably that guy to point your kids towards as a role model, whether they're soccer fans or not.

I recently stumbled upon an article that perfectly sums up why Messi is not only a sporting genius, but also a solid role model off the pitch. Examined by Gina Florio from Evie Magazine, this piece not only highlighted his phenomenal football journey, but underscored the aspects of his life that make him truly special.

Recently, we published a few pieces here at Bounding Into Sports regarding UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O'Malley's "open marriage." For those of you who have been lucky enough not to be disturbed with the knowledge of what this marriage without marriage arrangement is, let me explain briefly.

Sean O'Malley wants to go around sleeping with as many women as he wants whenever, wherever, while his wife is at home with their child. He thinks he can do this because he's a "King Kong" mega-fighter celebrity who can get away with this degenerate behavior because he's rich.
RELATED: UFC Legend Vitor Belfort Blasts Sean O'Malley For Openly Cheating On His Wife
Many of you across social media had issue with it. Even UFC legend Vitor Belfort thinks O'Malley's ways are disgusting. This is why when I came across this piece scrolling on X titled " Why Lionel Messi Has Reportedly Never Touched A Woman Other Than His Wife, " it grabbed my attention.

Let's be honest, we've all marveled at Messi's nimble footwork and skills on the soccer field, but it's his life outside the stadium that struck a chord with me.

As Florio aptly mentions, Messi's "sportsmanship, humility, and philanthropy" paints a vivid picture of him as a "responsible global citizen." The man's not just about winning matches or scoring goals; he's committed to making the world a better place. The Leo Messi Foundation, focused on aiding vulnerable children, speaks volumes about his character.

The famous soccer player has been with his beautiful wife since they were teenagers, and he has a list of reasons why he doesn't ever touch other women, especially in photographs. https://t.co/yDFqjsBXfA

- Evie Magazine (@Evie_Magazine) September 6, 2023

RELATED: Pitcher Chad Kuhl Declines Signing MLB Contract Offers In Order To Care For His Ailing Wife
What really resonated with me is his undying dedication to his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. I think in a world where the lines often blur between professional and personal lives, especially for celebrities, Messi stands out. Florio writes, their love story is "one of the sweetest... that has captured the hearts of many."

Now, I'm sure for us guys, many of us remember our women showing us pictures of their 'Wedding of the Century' in 2017, but here's the golden nugget from Florio's piece that got me thinking: Messi's unwavering commitment to Antonela. His approach to photographs with other women is a case in point. He's meticulous, even a little physically uncomfortable, yet always ensuring there's a respectable distance when around other women.

As Florio describes, "He never lays his hands on another woman because to him, physical intimacy remains only for his wife." This might sound like a drop in the ocean, but in today's world, it's a testament to Messi's values and respect for boundaries.

There's a lesson here for all of us. Messi showcases that it's possible to be at the pinnacle of one's career and yet remain grounded. He's a beacon for young men who value traditional ideals.

Being loyal, having integrity, respecting boundaries, and valuing family - Messi's life is a masterclass in these tenets.

Kudos to Florio for throwing light on this lesser-known side of Messi. While his soccer feats make headlines, it's this real King Kong's off-pitch persona that truly makes him a good role model. For the young men out there - Messi's more than just a soccer legend; he's a shining example of the man you'd want to be, and he didn't have to dye his hair like the clown from It to get people's attention.
NEXT: Soccer Legend Lionel Messi Receives Threat After Gunmen Attack Grocery Store Owned By His Wife's Family

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OLD FASHIONED CHIVALRY: How Soccer Star Lionel Messi Guards His Marriage

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If you're looking for a professional athlete that fully encapsulates old fashioned values such as family, masculinity, and being a good person to others, Lionel Messi is probably that guy to point your kids towards, whether they're soccer fans or not.

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Loyal conjugal love and a harmonious family.

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Loyal conjugal love and a harmonious family.

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The media delighted in Messi's transformation of character (2022)

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The media delighted in Messi's transformation of character (2022)

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Messi unexpectedly showed the fiery temperament of traditional South Americans at this World Cup. All media and football fans could acutely sense that Messi has changed. His on-field grit and trash talk have become positive leadership that inspires teammates instead.

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When Lionel Messi won the World Cup at the fifth and, seemingly, final attempt in Qatar last December, it was the last jigsaw piece in arguably the greatest footballing CV of all time.

But victory was only part of the story.

Behind the scenes and then on the biggest stage, Messi's transformation in the Middle East became evident.

The 35-year-old's genius has long been beyond doubt and debate. But his character had changed. As a teenager, Messi was so painfully shy he would get changed in the corridor to avoid his team-mates in the Barcelona youth set-up.

"This World Cup he was different," said Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

"We are probably more aggressive than the players in the national teams he's played with before. So he's probably becoming a little more like us - that bad boy."

Here, some of the stars from the recently-released BBC Sport documentary Lionel Messi: Destiny , unpack and dissect that final evolution of Messi - from shy teenage genius to talismanic "bad boy".

"He's a great lad but he can't even direct traffic. How can you give the national team to Scaloni?"

Diego Maradona's regarding Lionel Scaloni's appointment to the Argentina manager job in 2018 captured the mood of the nation.

Putting it bluntly, Scaloni was a Lionel Messi appointment - a deliberate decision by the Argentine Football Association to keep a generational talent onside and in the side.

In the years prior to Scaloni's appointment, Messi had a troubled relationship with the national team and, at times, with the national boss.

After a talented Argentina team was comprehensively beaten by Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup, Maradona, then-Argentina coach,

A fiasco of a 2018 World Cup campaign brought an early exit for Argentina and another coach in Jorge Sampaoli.

Sandwiched in between was 2016, a year which saw Messi briefly retire from international football after missing a penalty in the Copa America final defeat by Chile.

Such set-backs ensured that the number one motivation for the Argentine FA in appointing Scaloni was to keep their number one star happy.

"The FA had a single objective, to find a manager who could work with Messi and get the best out of him," said Messi biographer Guillem Balague.

"When Scaloni took over he said to Messi, 'what do you think, what would work for you?'.

"It was an equal conversation, and you have to do that when you have the best player in the world."

Argentine journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo added: "He was appointed without massive press coverage or a presentation moment - there seemed to be little energy to go hunting for big names.

"Most people were furious. We didn't know much about him. The thought was that the job should go to a football celebrity or influential character, and it just went to a guy who was sort of anonymous."

However, it was that anonymity, small-town humility and lack of ego that endeared Scaloni to the Argentina squad - and crucially, to Messi.

"Scaloni's very relaxed," Argentina and Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez said. "Very honest, and he has that thing of coming from a small town. I also identify with that a lot because I also come from a small town, and you can see that human quality that he has."

Martinez added: "You're always going to have talented players, but it's how you manage them. It's like having a Ferrari - if you don't know how to drive it, then you're going to crash on every corner. That's the only explanation I can give for Scaloni - he knows exactly how to drive a Ferrari."

Creating a home from home in Qatar

Looking after what was under the bonnet was vital to keep Messi - and ultimately the Argentina squad - happy in Qatar.

Despite leaving Argentina as a teenager, Messi has held on to much of his Argentine roots and specifically his hometown Rosario.

"He speaks with an Argentinean accent, eats Argentinean food, watches Argentinean films and listens to Argentinean music," said Jonathan Wilson, author of Angels With Dirty Faces - a footballing history of Argentina.

Scaloni and the Argentine FA were fastidious about leaning into those home comforts for Messi and his team-mates, creating a "little Argentina" at their World Cup base at Qatar University.

Early in the Scaloni reign, some of the younger players bonded with Messi by knocking on his hotel door and asking him to play the Argentine card game of Truco.

That same game was ubiquitous in Qatar along with Argentine tea called mate, and, more importantly, asados (barbeques) with imported Argentine beef. It was reported the team brought in 900kg of the meat for their campaign.

"I think for all Argentina people, if you have mate and a beautiful barbeque you don't need more in life," said Messi's former Argentina team-mate Pablo Zabaleta.

According to both Balague and Mora y Araujo, these techniques ensured Argentina got the best out of Messi, transporting the top player in the world back to a childhood left behind when he moved to Barcelona aged just 13.

On the pitch, the echoes of that childhood were most clearly heard during the quarter-final win over the Netherlands.

Dutch manager before the match. It was a move that angered his team-mates and added fuel to a historic enmity between the pair.

"Attacking Leo... you shouldn't do that to Argentines," Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister said.

Messi's feelings spilled out in the 73rd minute of the quarter-final. Messi celebrated Argentina's second goal by standing in front of the dugout, cupping his ears to seemingly mock Van Gaal's previous comments.

Messi and former Argentina international Juan Roman Riquelme are now close friends.

Before though, during Riquelme's solitary season at Barcelona in 2002, the relationship was more one of adulation.

Riquelme's former agent a teenage Messi "sitting looking at Riquelme as if he were Jesus Christ" at a barbeque arranged for Barca's South American players.

Mora y Araujo suggested Messi's celebration against the Netherlands - one which Riquelme has performed throughout his career - also reflected Messi's historic frustration at his friend being played out of his usual position during his time under Van Gaal at Barcelona in the early 2000s.

"It was surprising coming from Messi," she said. "The nod to Riquelme was unexpected."

Whatever the motivation of the celebration, it was not the end of Messi's combativity.

After the match, the Argentine forward confronted Dutch assistant Edgar Davids on the sidelines and in the tunnel he interrupted his own live TV interview to insult the Holland "number 19", as Messi called him, Wout Weghorst.

"In the tunnel on the way to the changing rooms - 'the number 19', as he calls him, walks by," Mora y Araujo added. "Messi interrupts the interview to say, 'go away silly, what are you looking at?'.

"Messi's delivery was very spontaneous. It has Rosario intonations, it's something someone's grandmother might say.

"It's clearly not mild anger he's expressing."

Balague suggested Messi "reacted in a way that, even he himself, did not recognise".

To understand the outburst it is necessary to go all the way back to Messi's childhood in his hometown of Rosario, 185 miles (300km) north west of Buenos Aires.

"There is an edge to Messi at the World Cup, and that is to do with the people he has got around him and him feeling comfortable with that.

"Because when he was 12, he was probably like that in the streets.

"Then when he moves to Barcelona he has to be a different person, more Catalan, more distant, more quiet.

"But he had that in him.

"It's not that he became Maradona. It was the Rosario in him that appeared in the World Cup in front of our eyes."

Both Mora y Araujo and Balague point out that the insult Messi chose for Weghorst - "bobo" - is a word that only "kids use".

And Martinez agreed with Balague in suggesting the change was akin to a child falling in with the wrong crowd at school.

"We are probably more aggressive than the players in the national teams he's played with before," he said. "So he's probably becoming a little more like us - that bad boy."

For Wilson, Messi finding his voice was as much about the players that weren't there.

The presence of big talkers such as Javier Mascherano in previous Argentine teams meant Messi wasn't needed to perform that role.

But in Qatar, there was a vacuum.

Journalist Christian Martin was embedded in the Argentine camp throughout the tournament.

Both he - and Messi biographer Balague - were struck by how Messi filled that vacuum, from as early as the first match.

A shock 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia left one of the pre-tournament favourites facing a potential early flight home.

Historically, after such a setback, Messi would spend the least time possible amid the gauntlet of microphones in the media 'mixed zone' players are obliged to walk through.

"It took him an hour to go through the mixed zone after Saudi Arabia," said Balague.

"He was saying 'we're better than this'."

Martinez added: "He spoke to every single broadcaster and repeated the same sentence: 'Believe in us, we won't let you down. Stick with us.'

"It was a very strong sentence by Leo."

Zabaleta said: "I think we really enjoyed Messi, being a proper leader, but in a good way.

"In hard situations he was the only one talking, he didn't want to send some of the inexperienced players out to the media and that was great to see."

This willingness to front up, in the press and on the pitch such as in the Holland game led to articles galore on the notion that Messi had become "Maradonised" and had found his "inner Diego".

But Mora y Araujo disagrees with the idea that Messi was channelling, or becoming, Maradona. Rather, he was, perhaps finally, comfortable in his own skin - a far cry from the teenager carrying the weight of his family's fortunes at Barcelona or the superstar weighed down by a nation's expectations at previous World Cups.

She said: "There was a lot of smiling on the pitch. His head was up. He was confident.

"He showed and transmitted an acceptance of himself. There was no awkwardness in delivering his awkwardness if that makes sense.

"People were texting and writing, 'has Messi been taken over by the spirit of Maradona...? Maradona speaks through Messi...' No! He hasn't turned into Maradona. He has grown into himself.

"For many years there was enormous pressure on Messi to perform, or to be, or to behave to some nebulous demand to be more Argentinean, to be more passionate, to be more like Maradona.

"I think for a long time he was uncomfortable with that.

"The main observable thing about Messi at this World Cup was a comfort in his own body. Less pressure to perform. More comfortable being himself."

Comfortable in himself. And comfortable with the stakes.

"I think he must have felt the breath of history on his shoulder. He must have felt time closing in on him," said Wilson.

According to Mora y Araujo, dealing with the clock ticking down on his career was Messi's greatest feat in Qatar. For a month he was able to kept calm, without dulling a ferocious desire to win.

"That's a very interesting combination. At the 2006 World Cup, he famously sat on the bench and didn't even get to play in the quarter-final defeat by Germany.

"There was a grouching, tantrum-y, child-like reaction so at odds with the Messi we saw in Qatar.

"It is a great progression to a point of emotional maturity.

"And I think it's wonderful to see that growth over a career of almost two decades."

Did Messi come of age? Did he channel the late Maradona? Did he rediscover a personality left behind in the backstreet games of his hometown of Rosario?

Whatever was going on in Messi's mind in the Middle East, it helped realise his sole focus - the winner's medal.

"I think after this World Cup - he completed football," Martinez said.

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From shy genius to 'bad boy' leader - Messi's Qatar transformation

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The 'completion' of football at the 2022 World Cup required Lionel Messi to configure his character and rediscover his childhood.

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Messi replicates Maradona's classic World Cup goal (2007)

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Messi replicates Maradona's classic World Cup goal (2007)

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A new verb - 'Maradonear’ (‘to Maradona’) was even popularised on Spanish-language social media clips of Messi doing Diego-like things. The most famous example is in 2007, in Barcelona's 5-2 victory over Getafe, the 20-year-old Messi performed the miracle of scoring against five people in a row. It is quite similar to Maradona's 1986 World Cup masterpiece.

Later, Maradona expressed in an interview that he had watched this video and commented that Messi was his replication. This masterpiece further deepened the impression of Argentines and Messi fans that "Messi is the new Maradona." More expectations came along with it.

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Gol Maradona Inglaterra Vs Gol Messi Getafe (Audio Cadena Ser)

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DeportesA mi bolade | Messi debió ir con España (aun con acento argentino) [Messi should have gone with Spain (even with an Argentine accent)]

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'Cold chest': A weak and cowardly leader (2018)

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'Cold chest': A weak and cowardly leader (2018)

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In the 2018 Russia World Cup group stage, the poor performance of the Argentina national team and Messi caused him to receive verbal criticism from reporters in Spanish-speaking societies (including Argentina). Many people believe that Messi should return to his comfort zone, Spain, and is not worthy of being an Argentine. Argentina’s domestic fans tend to view Messi as a ‘pecho frío’ (literally, a ‘cold chest’) who had failed to deliver for the national team, in terms of silverware, but also in terms of passion.

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El 'pecho frío' y 'cagón' de Messi debió ir con España (aun con acento argentino)

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Messi cumplió este domingo 31 años, de los que 18 lleva en España. Con 17, la RFEF ya le quiso llevar al Mundial Sub 20 de Finlandia, pero él prefirió esperar a Argentina, donde no se lo agradecen y le insultan

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Messi began deliberately sing the national anthem before games(2019)

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Messi began deliberately sing the national anthem before games(2019)

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The audience behind the camera commented below the video:

“Finally Messi singing for Argentinian anthem for the first time thanks”

“Home is home no matter what”

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Venezuela 0 vs. Argentina 2 - Lionel Messi sings the Argentine National Anthem (28/06/2019)

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Despite being far away from the center of world football - Europe, Lionel Messi has unquestionably become the most marketable athlete. His commercial appeal is still thriving in the United States.

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SportsPro's 50MM Most Marketable Athletes for 2022

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Now in its 13th year, this highly anticipated ranking considers the dynamic nature of athlete marketability in the digital age, applying an advanced science that goes beyond vanity metrics to measure which sports stars offer the most value to brands today.

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 The amazing animated short film by Gatorade

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 The amazing animated short film by Gatorade

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Sports drink giant Gatorade did not shy away from Messi's career trough, but instead used it as an opportunity to tailor a 5-minute animated short film for him. The film revolves around Messi's growth and several major turning points, shaping Messi's image from a genius prodigy to a positive image who relies on hard work to break doubts and fight again.

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Heart of a Lio: The amazing animated short film by Gatorade

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Campaigned for an end to preventable child deaths as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 

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Campaigned for an end to preventable child deaths as the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 

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Messi became a UNICEF children's charity ambassador at a very early age. He has always insisted on his role as a philanthropist and has recorded many interviews in the media. This allowed audiences to associate with Messi's own experience, because he almost had to say goodbye to football from a young age due to dwarfism, Messi attaches more importance to charitable causes in children's health. This shaped Messi's image of being generous with empathy and compassion.

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Help End Child Deaths - UNICEF Ambassador Leo Messi | UNICEF

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Lionel Messi philanthropy: What charities is the Barcelona star involved in giving money & raising money for? | Goal.com UK

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Goal.com summarized Messi's main charitable activities, which mainly include the Messi Foundation, funding for research and development of children's disease treatment and funding for children's football education in his hometown.

As with other charitable endeavors, Messi has always been committed to maintaining his positive image of being kind, willing to help others, and caring about the underprivileged groups. Admirably, these projects have never stopped and have been silently expanding for over a decade.

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Lionel Messi philanthropy: What charities is the Barcelona star involved in giving money & raising money for? | Goal.com UK

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Lionel Messi is a generous donator to charitable causes and Goal looks at just some of the foundations he is involved with.

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Messi confirms Barcelona players will take 70 per cent pay cuts during coronavirus crisis | Goal.com

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Caring for the club and grassroots staff. (2020/2021)

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Caring for the club and grassroots staff. (2020/2021)

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Messi has set an example during the Covid-19 period, taking the lead in cutting wages to ensure that other essential staff of the club can receive their salaries. As the captain of the club, such a move was undoubtedly the warmest and most responsible encouragement at the most difficult time. Messi's sense of justice not only established leadership charm and the spirit of self-sacrifice, but also maintained the emotional connection between Messi and staff members and fans during the special period.

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Messi confirms Barcelona players will take 70 per cent pay cuts during coronavirus crisis | Goal.com

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Lionel Messi has confirmed that he and his Barcelona team-mates will take pay cuts of up to 70 per cent in order to reduce club losses during the coronavirus crisis.

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4.  The creator of fairy tales and a resilient Leader

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4.  The creator of fairy tales and a resilient Leader

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Messi and his fans reach new emotional heights after openly discussing Qatar 2022 as end of high-intensity career . With everyone aware this would mark the conclusion of a fairytale storyline, brand managers pounced on the collectively sentimental atmosphere in unprecedented unison. Cutting-edge giants in sports and fashion are also using this to show the power of their spokesperson.

Now framed as a do-or-die hero willing to give his all one final time, people forgot past disappointments - seeing in Messi a symbol of hope through resilience and reinvention. He exuded new confidence in front of cameras, shielding youthful teammates from outside noise. Passion and determination burned as intensely as ever when embracing the national anthem. Introverted as always, the softly-spoken leader has nevertheless solidified his stance--win everything for the country.

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Messi announced that he would no longer play for Argentina (2016)

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Messi announced that he would no longer play for Argentina (2016)

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Messi suffered the anguish of three defeats in finals, most notably the 2014 World Cup showpiece. In the aftermath of the corruption rot that had infected the Argentine Football Association combined with poor managerial guidance, he opted to go separate ways with his loyal backing in native Argentina.

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Lionel Messi has said his international career is over at the age of 29 after he blazed a penalty over the bar in Argentina's defeat in the Copa América final to Chile.

The Argentina captain missed his spot-kick in the decisive shootout at Met Life Stadium, which Chile went on to win 4-2 and secure a second Copa crown in two years, and was disconsolate on the pitch after the game.

"It's tough, it's not the time for analysis," he said. "In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it's not for me. That's the way I feel right now, it's a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.

"I tried so hard to be [a] champion with Argentina. But it didn't happen. I couldn't do it. I think it's best for everyone, for me and for many people who want it. The choice for me is over, it is a decision. I tried many times [to be a champion] but did not."

Sergio Agüero and other Argentina players could now follow Messi's lead, with the Manchester City forward telling Olé: "The likelihood is that Messi is not the only one that will leave the national team. There are several players like me that are evaluating whether or not to continue.

"One doesn't want to think about it but at times, there are things that happen and the thought [of retiring] comes into your mind. Afterwards, it's difficult to get it out. Unfortunately, the one that leaves most affected is Leo Messi after his penalty miss. This is the worst that I've seen him in the changing room. We are all affected and we will try to think about something else and move forward. Again, luck was not on our side."

The defeat continued Argentina's 23-year trophyless run and Messi's own personal misery now extends to four lost finals with the national side - at the 2014 World Cup against Germany and at three Copa Américas, in 2007, 2015 and now 2016.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said: "The burden of the consecutive games [lost] has been accumulating these last two years. He feels like you would expect a player to feel after playing and losing a final."

Messi had enjoyed another impressive outing in the latest final of his international career but failed to find a finishing touch over 120 minutes of play. Still, few would have expected him to miss from 12 yards after Chile's Arturo Vidal had seen the first kick of the shootout saved by Sergio Romero. But the Barcelona forward conspired to balloon the ball over the bar and pass up the chance to give his side an early advantage.

Lucas Biglia also missed for Argentina with his penalty being saved by Messi's Barcelona team-mate Claudio Bravo, before Chilean midfielder Francisco Silva scored the decisive spot-kick.

Messi, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, was representing his country for the 112th time since making his debut in 2005 as an 18-year-old.

In that time he scored 55 times, including five this tournament. He surpassed Gabriel Batistuta's all-time leading mark of 54 for Argentina with a superb free-kick in last week's semi-final against the US.

"Messi's numbers are unparalleled and I think they'll remain that way forever, because it's impossible for a football player to do what Messi has done," said Juan Antonio Pizzi, the Chile coach who is from Argentina. "My generation can't compare him to [Diego] Maradona that's for my generation, because of what Maradona did for Argentine soccer. But I think the best player ever played today here in the United States."

Immediately after Sunday's shock announcement, goalkeeper Romero said he hoped Messi would change his mind. "I think Leo spoke in the heat of the moment because we missed that great chance," said Romero.

Messi now stands to miss the 2018 World Cup, with the odds of Argentina breaking their long-standing major trophy drought in Russia just having lengthened significantly.

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Lionel Messi says his Argentina career is over after Copa América final defeat

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Argentina captain says 'this is the end for me' after missing penalty in shootout in Copa América final

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Extreme fans showed their contempt by damaging statues of Messi (2017)

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Extreme fans showed their contempt by damaging statues of Messi (2017)

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Although Messi rejoined the national team despite efforts from all parties to stay, he almost single-handedly ensured Argentina's qualification to enter the 2018 World Cup. But fans are still angry about his previous withdrawal from the team and his cowardly performance.

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The statue stood on Paseo de la Gloria (Glory Street), which also displays casts of other famous Argentine sports stars such as tennis player Gabriela Sabatini and basketball player Manuel Ginobili.

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Lionel Messi statue vandalised in Buenos Aires

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A statue of Argentine football star Lionel Messi, unveiled last June, is cut in half in Buenos Aires.

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New York Times cover character: King Leo (2012)

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New York Times cover character: King Leo (2012)

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Messi is at the peak of his powers at this time, and almost no one doubts that he will become or even is the greatest of all time.

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Messi won the most Ballon d'Or awards in history (2015)

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Messi won the most Ballon d'Or awards in history (2015)

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Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for an unprecedented fifth time.

The Barcelona forward reclaimed the biggest individual accolade in world football at a lavish ceremony in Zurich on Monday, beating Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, the three-time winner whom he has been runner-up to for the last two years.

Messi also finished ahead of his fellow Barça front-man Neymar after a calendar year in which the Catalan club claimed five titles.

The Argentina international Messi, who scored 48 goals for his club in 2015, said after being presented with the award by the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner, Kaká: "It is a very special moment for me to be back here on this stage, winning again another Ballon d'Or after being there in the audience watching Cristiano win.

"It's incredible this is my fifth. It's much more than anything I dreamed of as a kid.

"I want to thank everyone who voted for me and I want to thank my team-mates. Without them none of this would be possible.

"Lastly I want to thank football in general for everything it has brought me, both the bad and the good, because it has made me grow and learn."

In other awards USA's Carli Lloyd capped a brilliant 2015 by taking home the award for women's player of the year.

Lloyd faced competition from Germany's Celia Sasic and the Japan midfielder Aya Miyama but her performances at last year's World Cup - including a brilliant hat-trick in the final - helped secure her the award for the top female player in the world.

Lloyd is the third American to take home the award - Abby Wambach won in 2012 and Mia Hamm got the nod twice, in 2001 and 2002. Brazil's Marta has the most wins with five.

Lloyd has scored 79 goals in 211 appearances for USA and was recently made captain of the national team. Her goal from the halfway line in the World Cup final was also nominated for goal of the year.

Awards in full

Women's world player of the year: Carli Lloyd

Puskas award: Wendell Lira

World coach of the year for men's football: Luis Enrique

World coach of the year for women's football: Jill Ellis

World XI: Manuel Neuer; Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves; Andrès Iniesta, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba; Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fifa fair play award: All football organisations supporting refugees.

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Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or for record fifth time

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Barcelona's Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for the fifth time, preventing a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick

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A revitalized Messi and Argentina national team, more united than ever before, led Messi to his first international title by winning the Copa America.

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Lionel Messi and Argentina Beat Brazil in Copa América Final (Published 2021)

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A star player’s glittering career finally gets the one honor it was missing: a major title with his national team.

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Argentine journalists revealed Messi's leadership behind Argentina's Copa America triumph: a revitalised and leader-like Messi (2021)

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Argentine journalists revealed Messi's leadership behind Argentina's Copa America triumph: a revitalised and leader-like Messi (2021)

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The Argentine captain's reputation was completely overturned after this clip was released, and no one doubted that Messi was not Maradona's successor. The shoot and media "leak" was a huge public relations victory. The image of the shy boy and cowardly wanderer disappeared completely, and was replaced by a lion-like king (as Lionel was named).

Audiences' comments:

"Really , they already won the match when Messi delivered this speech..."

'“Not a leader” my ass… that is exactly what a leader looks like.'

"These players are ready to die for Messi as their leader. Let the tournament begin already"

"Honestly what gets me most is that he’s a pretty big introvert and, knowing what that’s like, I can imagine it’d take some guts to deliver this speech the way he does"

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(Eng. Sub)🔥 Lionel Messi's Leadership Speech Before Brazil vs Argentina Copa America Final!

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Not only was Messi personally seeking an image makeover in front of the cameras, but his sponsors were also exploring ways to rebuild their ambassador's reputation. They reframed his "failures" as the necessary toll paid on the path to future success and motivation to fight again.

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Budweiser shoots commercial to help Messi build emotional connection with audiences during Covid-19 period (2021)

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Budweiser shoots commercial to help Messi build emotional connection with audiences during Covid-19 period (2021)

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Messi's many friendships and connections he fostered inspired Budweiser to release "If It Wasn't For Leo." Beautifully shot by Budweiser’s partners at Copa90, the film pays tribute to Messi’s legacy during his 21 years at Barcelona and the impact he had on his teammates, fans and Catalans.

Advertisers have established an emotional connection with the audience for their spokesperson Messi, strengthening and shaping Messi's "affable", "friendly" and "humble" image.

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Budweiser Presents: If It Wasn’t For Leo (ft Iniesta, Eto'o, Suarez and Oblak)

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Messi uses his eponymous fashion brand to conduct charity fundraising activities (2020)

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Messi uses his eponymous fashion brand to conduct charity fundraising activities (2020)

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Messi's team strives to create a global caring aspect of the star's personal brand. When the Covid-19 broke out in China, Messi released clothing with the Chinese words "Go China" printed on it, and it was immediately sold out. All marketing proceeds go toward donating to local healthcare systems.This campaign has greatly won over fans in the Far East region.

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The LeoMessi Brand is the official premium lifestyle brand of Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi, whose chief brand goal is to extend the core of Leo's values, vision, and sportsmanship from the pitch to the apparel.

The LeoMessi Brand is a direct reflection of the qualities Leo Messi demonstrates on and off the pitch: specializing in creating innovative, premium lifestyle clothing with high quality and precision detail in every stitch, striving for excellence, precision and humility in every single detail.

Besides engaging his own fashion career, he also dedicates his efforts to charity. The brand itself and Leo have not been strangers to devoting their efforts to public good; Leo has always been enthusiastic about caring for the less fortunate.

In February, when the pandemic broke out in China, the LeoMessi Brand launched 'Be Strong China' T-shirts immediately, trying to support frontline workers in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. They were sold out within just a few weeks, the brand donating all proceeds to Wuhan Union Hospital. And now Leo and his brand are taking their hearts and efforts to autistic children.

Melody Ji tote bag 11-year-old artist Melody Ji [All photos courtesy of LeoMessi Brand]
Do you know one in every 54 kids suffers from autism? And this number is growing yearly. One can only imagine how this pandemic has affected these kids, as most people are having a hard time coping with the 'new normal'. The LeoMessi Brand is now collaborating with an 11-year-old artist, Melody Ji, who is studying art in the UK to fundraise for autistic children.

Melody created two paintings inspired by autistic children, and the brand printed them onto beautiful, durable tote bags great for everyday use. The children in the paintings are hardly visible, representing the fact that autistic children do not receive as much attention as they should, as they are relatively invisible in society. They should be offered more love and support.

Now you can help these children just by shopping through the LeoMessi flagship store on Tmall. With every purchase you can get one of these elaborately designed, limited edition tote bags full of innocence and love for free. Part of the proceeds from your purchase will go to the Autistic Children Rescue Fund. Bringing awareness about children with autism is essential for the world to assist more children and families in need. Help make this happen - support Leo!

Scan the QR code with the Taobao app to shop:

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LeoMessi Brand Tote Bags Raise Money for Autistic Children

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Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi has always been enthusiastic about caring for the less fortunate.

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5. Trailblazer of US soccer market and a superstar beyond sports level (2023)

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5. Trailblazer of US soccer market and a superstar beyond sports level (2023)

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Messi departed European football to continue his career twilight years in MLS with America. The decision was unsurprising given Messi's previous interviews expressing his desire to focus more on family and rest after achieving all honors. However, more noteworthy was the collision between this superstar and the world's largest sports economy market. The accomplished hero was packaged by American media as an image nearly divine. Documentaries and commercials portrayed Messi as glory-filled, family-oriented with humble yet leading personality, perfecting his star image.

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ESPN released a video of Messi playing harmoniously with his children at home (2021)

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ESPN released a video of Messi playing harmoniously with his children at home (2021)

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With the increase of age, Messi has a big family. The successive births of his three sons made fans more interested in his private life. Four fun games of the Messi family are the most frequently posted content on Messi's social media besides matches and advertisements. Messi never hides his love for his children, and audiences are also touched to witness how the shy boy of the past has grown into a middle-age father.

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“Let the kids win” Antonela to Messi playing with their kids

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Macy's marriage and family topics frequently appear in women's magazines.

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Macy's marriage and family topics frequently appear in women's magazines.

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Messi's sense of responsibility to family and loyalty to love have become key factors in attracting non-sports fans. That includes a majority of female fans, who would love to see such a successful athlete without any gossip.

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Lionel Messi, born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, is one of the most iconic soccer players in the history of the sport. Known for his prodigious talent, Messi's career took off when he moved to Barcelona's La Masia youth academy at the age of 13. With FC Barcelona, Messi became a living legend, spending over two decades at the club. Over the years, his individual brilliance and teamwork have led him to win numerous accolades and establish several records.

Messi has won multiple Ballon d'Or awards, recognizing him as the world's best player, and has been the driving force behind many of Barcelona's triumphs. With Barça, Messi won numerous La Liga titles, Copa del Rey trophies, and UEFA Champions League titles. He has been the top scorer in La Liga multiple times and holds the record for most goals scored in a calendar year. His accolades with Barcelona culminated with him becoming the club's all-time leading scorer with over 600 goals. In 2021, in a move that shook the soccer world, Messi left FC Barcelona due to financial constraints faced by the club that made it impossible to renew his contract under La Liga's salary cap rules. He subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a leading French club, creating a new chapter in his career.

Messi is also lauded for his sportsmanship, humility, and philanthropy. His charitable foundation, the Leo Messi Foundation, focuses on access to education and healthcare for vulnerable children. This paints a picture of Messi not just as an athlete but also as a responsible global citizen. Off the field, Messi has been an icon in pop culture and endorsements. His commercial relationships include high-profile brands like Adidas and Pepsi, making him one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.

However, another piece of Messi's life that has become iconic is his marriage to Antonela Roccuzzo. While they're not as well known as the Beckhams or a celebrity couple like Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Messi and Roccuzzo have one of the sweetest love stories that has captured the hearts of many.

Why Lionel Messi Has Reportedly Never Touched a Woman Other Than His Wife

Messi and Roccuzzo's relationship traces back to their childhood in Rosario, Argentina, connected through Messi's childhood friend and Roccuzzo's cousin, Lucas Scaglia. Even when Messi moved to Barcelona for his soccer career, they maintained contact. Their relationship turned a corner in 2005 when Messi flew back to Argentina to support Roccuzzo after the tragic loss of her best friend.

They've been together since at least 2009 and went public in the mid-2000s. Known for keeping their relationship relatively private, the couple has been "official" for years now, enchanting fans with their love story and occasional behind-the-scenes photos. Their 2017 wedding in Rosario was dubbed the "Wedding of the Century," attended by 260 guests, including A-list names like Luis Suárez, Gerard Piqué, and Shakira. The wedding took place at Rosario's luxurious City Center hotel complex, which also has an adjoining casino. Roccuzzo, 29, was expected to wear a dress designed by Rosa Clara, a Barcelona-based designer. The menu for the event featured a mix of traditional Argentine fare, including empanadas and various parts of the cow.

Messi and Roccuzzo's relationship traces back to their childhood.

The event attracted substantial media attention. Although 150 journalists received accreditation to a special press area, they were not granted full access to the venue. Crowds also gathered outside the hotel and at the local airport in hopes of catching a glimpse of the famous guests. The wedding came after Messi's appeal against a 21-month jail term for tax evasion was rejected, although he is unlikely to serve time as the sentence can be converted to a fine or probation.

The couple has three sons together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. While Roccuzzo is mostly private about her family life, Messi has openly discussed how fatherhood has changed his perspective on life and aided his growth as a human being.

Roccuzzo isn't just a supportive spouse; she has her own thriving career. A professional model, she's worked with notable brands like Stella McCartney, Adidas, and most recently, Alo. She even signed a modeling contract back in 2016. Beyond her modeling career, she's ventured into influencing, leveraging her large following to launch her own Casetify collection.

Roccuzzo also has an academic background, having studied dentistry and social communication at the National University of Rosario before dedicating herself to supporting Messi and focusing on their family. She's an ever-present figure in her husband's career, almost never missing his games, and was there to celebrate his 2022 FIFA World Cup win. Messi reciprocates this admiration, telling FC Barcelona how much he appreciates Roccuzzo's positive approach to life, her intelligence, and her well-rounded personality.

Messi wants to simply live a private life.

Roccuzzo is clearly a gorgeous woman, but her beauty isn't the only thing that keeps Messi completely committed to her. In fact, Messi is so committed to his wife that he doesn't even touch other women. Reportedly, he wanted to become the best soccer player in the world so that he could provide for Roccuzzo and give her a great life. When they got married, though, many female fans tried to tempt him. One superfan in particular, influencer Suzy Cortez (whose nickname is Miss BumBum), even got a tattoo of him on her body and tried to send him pictures of her in his jersey. Messi immediately blocked her.

Many people started to realize that Messi looks awkward in photos with other women. He stands in an odd position, with his arms by his side or his hands in his pocket, and he never puts his arms around the woman in the photo with him. That's reportedly because he doesn't want the media to twist the photos in the wrong way and make it seem like there's something going on when there isn't. Even when Shakira took a picture with him, he kept his distance and made it clear that things were completely platonic. He never lays his hands on another woman because to him, physical intimacy remains only for his wife.

While this should be a gold standard for married men (especially men who encounter many beautiful women in their career and professional life), Messi is one of few who keeps these kinds of boundaries with women who aren't his wife. He wants to simply live a private life with Roccuzzo and their children, and he makes it clear time and time again that he only has eyes for his teenage sweetheart.
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Why Lionel Messi Has Reportedly Never Touched A Woman Other Than His Wife

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The famous soccer player has been with his beautiful wife since they were teenagers, and he has a list of reasons why he doesn't ever touch other women,...

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Messi gave an interview explaining why he chose to join Inter Miami: peaceful life, family and former teamates(2023)

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Messi gave an interview explaining why he chose to join Inter Miami: peaceful life, family and former teamates(2023)

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In this interview, Messi explained why he chose Miami in the US over a return to his former club Barcelona. He said Barcelona's failure to give a timely response strengthened his resolve, as he did not want to bring more uncertainty to his family. Another potential reason was that he did not want to force his former teammates to accept pay cuts due to his signing. This interview provided a glimpse into Messi's unwavering sense of responsibility towards his family, as well as his kindheartedness towards friends.

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Messi reveals why he chose Inter Miami over Barcelona

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Messi's American Life interview: The celebration pose was to amuse sons, and the city was chosen for family.

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Messi's American Life interview: The celebration pose was to amuse sons, and the city was chosen for family.

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In an interview with the Miami Herald, Lionel Messi shares how he decides who to swap jerseys with after the game, the origins of his Marvel-themed goal celebration, his thoughts on playing in South Florida What it's like to drive in traffic and how the local Latino community makes him feel like home.

Since joining Miami, Messi has shown a natural, relaxed and family-oriented image, with a more frequent smile on his face.The Argentine forward does not hide his joy for retirement life and love for his family in the media. Messi's image has gradually transformed into a wise master with rich life experience.

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Watch the interview: Lionel Messi opens up on Marvel celebrations, Miami traffic and more

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With Messi officially joining Inter Miami, the American soccer market received nuclear levels of attention (2023)

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With Messi officially joining Inter Miami, the American soccer market received nuclear levels of attention (2023)

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With the efforts of the major soccer league, Adidas and Apple TV, Inter Miami signed Messi with the highest salary for a football player in American history. From the beginning of the rumors of joining, this transfer was destined to be a marketing carnival. Although the United States is the largest sports economic market, its focus has never been soccer. But Americans know more about Messi than any football knowledge.

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Lionel Messi has signed with Inter Miami CF, the club has announced.

The Argentine superstar has joined David Beckham's club, and his contract will run until 2025.

The World Cup winner said in a statement from the club: "I'm very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States.

"This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I'm very eager to start helping here in my new home."

Beckham said he was overjoyed at Messi's arrival and described him as a "good friend [and] an amazing person".

He said: "Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamt of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city.

"Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.

"Today that dream came true."

The England and Manchester United legend added: "I couldn't be prouder that a player of Leo's calibre is joining our club."

The 36-year-old forward's contract expired with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of June.
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Inter Miami CF Managing Owner Jorge Mas said: "I am honoured to welcome Leo Messi and his family to their new home."

Earlier in the year, Phil Neville was sacked as manager of Inter Miami, who are co-owned by his former Manchester United and England teammate Beckham.

The Florida side are currently bottom of the 15-team Eastern Conference, with just five wins from 16 matches.

Messi will first be available for selection for Inter Miami on 21 July when they take on Mexican side Cruz Azul in the opening match of the Leagues Cup.

The Leagues Cup is a new tournament in which the MLS and LIGA MX, the Mexican top division, will pause their respective league seasons from 21 July 21 to 19 August to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the 2024 CONCAF Champions Cup.

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Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami, club confirms

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The 36-year-old striker had reportedly been offered €400m (£344m) a year to join Saudi club Al Hilal and was also linked with a move back to his former club Barcelona.

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Messi brought about a crazy market effect (2023)

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Messi brought about a crazy market effect (2023)

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Ticket prices surged 1000% and searches for related merchandise skyrocketed after the superstar joined the club.The overwhelmingly positive market feedback beyond reason shows that Messi's image of a perfect superhero has become a mainstream subculture that is universally accepted by the public.

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Dan Hajducky, ESPNAug 1, 2023, 03:59 PM

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Hajducky is an associate editor for ESPN. He has an MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University and played on the men's soccer teams at Fordham and Southern Connecticut State universities.

Inter Miami CF, saddled with a regular-season winning percentage just above 41% four years into their existence, have never been more popular. Such is Messi Mania -- the transfer saga, the belabored unveiling, the Leagues Cup debut and his dominance-in-progress -- seemingly destined to divide league history into pre-and-post " Pulga" as Miami surrounds the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner with fellow former Barcelona tiki-taka alumni.

"The future of soccer in America is so bright," Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said in an Adidas news conference on the eve of Lionel Messi's debut with the MLS club. "I've seen the growth of it over the last 10, 15 years ... Bringing someone like [Messi] not just to Inter Miami, but to MLS, to America, it means so much. You have the eyes of not just Latina America, but the world on Miami."

When the news broke that soccer's all-time greatest talent would be taking his talents to South Beach -- after almost four years of courtship -- Inter Miami's global popularity, as far as Google searches go, increased by more than 1,200%.

"When Lionel Messi announced his move to Inter Miami," said Gene Cook, vice president of global collectibles at eBay, "searches for his collectibles -- spanning trading cards and memorabilia -- increased over 75% the following day on eBay ... globally."
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Ticket prices on the secondary market for Messi's first Miami matches catapulted more than 1,000%. On July 20, the eve of Messi's debut, the average ticket price for the Leagues Cup match against Liga MX's Cruz Azul was $712, according to TicketSmarter. According to Vivid Seats, the average ticket price for the Cruz Azul game increased 205% from June 4 to June 7, when he announced his decision to join the Herons, rising from $122 to $373.

From digital sports platform and MLS e-commerce partner Fanatics, since the news of Messi coming to Inter Miami broke, more team merchandise has been sold than the previous entirety of 2023 combined. In the same timeframe, Inter Miami have been Fanatics' top-selling MLS club, selling 50% more merchandise than their closest rival.

The first 24 hours of Messi jersey sales, confirmed by Fanatics, were the best 24 hours of any player changing teams across all sports, edging out Cristiano Ronaldo joining Manchester United in 2021, Tom Brady joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

From July 17 to July 20, Inter Miami were Fanatics' top-selling team across all sports. "That is unheard of for an MLS team," said a source from Fanatics. The day following the Messi news, Inter Miami merchandise sales spiked 50 times the previous pre-Messi day.

Inter Miami's managing owner Jorge Mas confirmed on CNBC's "Halftime Report" on July 18 that Messi jerseys were sold out. Adidas' president of North America, Rupert Campbell, told reporters during the aforementioned news conference: "Jerseys are selling out at stores in minutes ... which is why we've opened a pop-up store in the center of Miami."

Tor Southard, senior director of Adidas soccer, added, "Every single fan who wants a jersey" -- the pink The Heart Beat authentic iteration jersey runs fans $194.99, complete with "Messi 10" printing, before tax and shipping at the MLS store -- "should be able to get a jersey, whether it's online or at one of our stores. As the jerseys come in, we're shipping them [right] out to fans."

MLS's official online store warns buyers that their Messi kits may not arrive until October.

Online retailer Soccer.com also recently told CNN they'd sold half a year's worth of "Messi 10"-printed Inter Miami jerseys in just one day.

Mas told CNBC that he expects Messi's arrival to double Inter Miami's revenue, which according to Forbes was $56 million in 2022, and value, currently around $600 million. Mas has reason to be optimistic: The Sports Business Journal reported this week that Apple TV boasted roughly 700,000 MLS Season Pass subscribers in early June, which rose to nearly a million by Messi's debut vs. Cruz Azul.

"There's a huge amount of change [in MLS] over the years," said Beckham. "I remember turning up in 2007, there was about 15 teams in the league; now there's 30. There's soccer-specific stadiums for almost every MLS team. The level of the game has definitely changed -- Leo is actually coming into a perfect situation."

Even in the sports card world, Messi's arrival had fans opening their wallets: With collectibles marketplace Goldin, less than a week after the announcement, a PSA gem-mint 10 of a 2004-05 Panini Sports Megacracks Lionel Messi rookie card sold for more than $266,000.

Even at 36 -- with a dozen league titles, four UEFA Champions League crowns, and World Cup and Copa America trophies for Argentina -- for a man who's won everything there is to win in global football and then some, there are still new and lucrative frontiers to conquer.

It's still Messi's world. We're just living in it.

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The Messi Effect: New Miami star brings big business to MLS

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Ticket prices are up 1,000%, jerseys are sold out until October and Inter Miami are one of the hottest teams in the world, all because of Leo Messi.

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Messi brought not just insane market effects, but also conveyed a kind of "old-fashioned" mainstream value through his influence - that a good person who perseveres through hard work can stand at the top of the world. In America where subcultures prevail, this identity construction and the uplifting value of competitive sports provides the most inspirational spiritual sustenance.

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Messi's  debut for Inter Miami CF injected vitality into this city with a large Latin American population, as he prepares to elevate American men's football to new heights.

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Messi's  debut for Inter Miami CF injected vitality into this city with a large Latin American population, as he prepares to elevate American men's football to new heights.

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Not only did the best player in the world come to America - his new home Miami, dubbed the northernmost Latin American city, has a solid fan base for whom soccer is more than just a sport. US fans had to look abroad for higher levels of competition. Where MLB, NFL, NBA and other pro sports compete against each other, MLS vies with top flights across continents. Though connecting with Latin fans can sometimes challenge MLS, the sport's explosive growth over the past decade has occurred simultaneously with rising Latino populations in the US. As a fellow Latino, Messi brings the city not just football and business, but ethnic pride, multicultural confidence and community cohesion.

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‘Messi mania’ is a turning point for Miami — and Major League Soccer

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The Argentinian soccer icon’s debut with Inter Miami CF has energized the heavily Latino city — and is poised to elevate U.S. men’s soccer to new heights.

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Messi's record-breaking achievements in sports, perfect performances in competitions, and surprising transformation of character created maximum buzz and brought the greatest economic returns.

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Messi's record-breaking achievements in sports, perfect performances in competitions, and surprising transformation of character created maximum buzz and brought the greatest economic returns.

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Through astonishing performances and 7 goals, Lionel Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup title since 1986. Breaking records has become second nature to Argentines, but another accolade can be added to his list of achievements as his image with the coveted trophy became the most liked Instagram post of all time, generating £11.7 million in SAV.

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The Qatar 2022 World Cup will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most memorable of all time. With captivating story lines unravelling before us, the Messi vs Ronaldo saga, tournament debutants, underdog triumphs, contentious VAR decisions, late goals, sensational comebacks and a final to rival any other - the on-pitch drama certainly exceeded expectations.

Recognising the global appeal and fanfare surrounding the competition, we asked ourselves the question; given the enormous interest, what impact would a successful or unsuccessful tournament have on a player's marketability?

How much Social Ad Value (SAV) was generated by the players over the tournament?

Over the course of the tournament there were over 2.2 billion engagements with player posts, which accumulated a total SAV of £319m. Compared to a pre-tournament SAV of £104m, a £215m increase was recorded, clearly demonstrating the ability of the FIFA World Cup to enhance the marketing power of participating athletes.

Instagram was the most valuable platform accounting for £190m, 60% of the total, Facebook and Twitter were also notable sources of SAV, generating £67m and £62m respectively. The average SAV per-player-post during the World Cup was £79,827, up £60k vs pre-tournament tracking (£19,655).

Players featuring for teams in the semi-final matches delivered an SAV of £153m - 48% of the total SAV which highlights the impact that team success in a major tournament can have on an individual's marketability.

Who were the largest contributors to the total SAV?

Breaking down the total SAV to understand how much each player generated throughout the tournament emphasises the impact that an individual can have in driving sponsorship value for their partners.

Among the highest drivers of SAV were Richarlison (#5th, £14.3m) and Neymar (#3rd, £30.4m) of Brazil. A nation representing the tradition and a legacy synonymous with the World Cup, the Brazilian national side have a dedicated global fanbase that provides a significant platform for its soccer stars to engage with audiences worldwide.

French phenomenon Kylian Mbappe contributed 4th most to the total SAV, the 2022 tournament top goal scorer generating £23.1m. Cristiano Ronaldo recorded the 2nd highest with £43.3m, just shy of half the amount amassed by Lionel Messi, the world cup winning captain and Player of the Tournament, who delivered an astonishing £88m which accounted for 26% of the total SAV.

1.Lionel Messi - £88m

2. Cristiano Ronaldo - £43.3m

3. Neymar - £30.4m

4. Kylian- £23.1m

5. Richarlison - £14.3m

Producing stunning performances and scoring 7 goals, Lionel Messi led Argentina to their first World Cup triumph since 1986. Breaking records has become somewhat second nature to the Argentinian, yet another accolade can be added to his list of achievements as the image of him with the prestigious trophy became most liked Instagram post of all time delivering £11.7m in SAV. Additionally, 31 of Lionel Messi's posts delivered over £1m in SAV resulting in total post value increase of £81m vs pre-tournament, phase one tracking.

And who were the tournaments MVP's?

Analysing the data through an MVP lens enables measurement of the marketability, value and presence of each player to determine their MVP score. 5 key pillars; following, impact, social media value (value), popularity and platform, feed into the overall MVP score and can inform sponsorship decision making. The controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the tournament followed by a handful of underwhelming displays saw him slip out of the MVP podium places. The Portuguese talisman's popularity metric suffered in phase two, though the mega-star still managed to document a 94/100 MVP score - his following, platform and impact all recorded perfect scores underlining the scale and weight he carries on fans worldwide.

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar push ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo to take joint second with an equal score of 95/100. Neymar's following and platform recorded perfect scores. Along with his strong impact performance, the Brazilian provides huge access to a dedicated fanbase. Kylian Mbappe also recorded a perfect platform score as well as a perfect value score. The Frenchman's following and impact performance is exceptional which highlights the marketing influence he holds to engage with large and highly engaged audiences.

Lionel Messi takes top spot with a near perfect MVP score of 98/100. The seven-time-Ballon d'Or winner achieves full marks for following, platform, value and impact which enables access to a devoted global audience.

The Rising Stars of Qatar 2022

The Rising Star edition enables us to establish who the next wave of MVP's may be. This process gives the opportunity for sponsors to identify potential partnerships earlier in the athlete's journey, and can demonstrate an alternative motivation to their relationship by representing a different set of principles to the consumer, ie supporting younger, lower profile athletes.
Many stars emerged during Qatar 2022. The two most notable, Brazilian Vini Jr. and Julian Alvarez graduated from Rising Star as both recorded a strong MVP score of 84/100. This significant rise further enforces the impact of success at a major competition.

Julian Alvarez documented high platform, impact, value and popularity, the perfect recipe to organically raise his comparably low following score over time. We expect the World Cup winner will continue to elevate his MVP status in 2023.

Recent years have seen Jude Bellingham make significant strides in his development. At the 2022 World Cup, England's wonderkid, certainly announced himself. The young midfielder was the highest scoring U23 Rising Star, generating £3.4m in SAV - a per-post average of £76k. His following, value and popularity scores indicate an imminent graduation to MVP and a clear headway up the ranking.

Successful team progression delivered a measured individual impact, most notably for the stars of semi-finalists Morocco. Players of the first African nation in the competition's history to progress to the last four recorded a significant uplift in average value per post vs phase one, driven by engagement growth. Among the most notable increases were Sofyan Amrabat (£52,501 = 1,202% growth), Yassine Bounou (£196,774 = 1,172% growth) and Achraf Hakimi (£158,497 = 585% growth). A rise in popularity was reflected in marking up the players' MVP status; Sofyan Amrabat recorded the largest growth of 24 points = 66/100, Yassine Bounou achieved a 23-point increase = 78/100, while a growth 20 point growth elevated Achraf Hakimi among the top MVP performers = 86/100.

Background and methodology

With exposure at major events providing a global platform to engage with audiences - the worlds eye focused upon every action on or off the field - the increasing importance to understand the potential impact of sponsorship is critical to ensure successful partnership activation.

From September 22nd - November 15th, using Kantar's MVP solution, the first monitoring phase took place tracking hundreds of players that were tipped to make the final squads of the qualified nations. This data provided a pre-tournament read of MVP performance which would later be used to measure the impact of World Cup on a player's marketability.

The second monitoring phase began on November 20th, which saw the first of 64 matches take place featuring host nation Qatar who kicked-off the competition vs Ecuador. Phase two monitoring was completed on December 24th, six days after the Final match between Argentina and France, to ensure the post tournament buzz was captured to represent the most accurate accumulation of value.

MVP monitors a deep pool of athletes across a variety of sports, supplying the depth required to become the evaluation currency for benchmarking marketability performance evolution. If you would like to find out more, please contact Andy.Brember@kantar.com

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Lionel Messi dominates Social Ad Value at 2022 World Cup

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Lionel Messi dominates Social Ad Value at 2022 World Cup

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Maradona criticised Messi for lacking personality(2016)

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Maradona criticised Messi for lacking personality(2016)

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Diego Maradona Tells Pele That Lionel Messi "Has No Personality" & Lacks Leadership

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"A fairytale ending" - Messi ultimately winning the World Cup secured the most heartwarming label for the sport (2022) 

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"A fairytale ending" - Messi ultimately winning the World Cup secured the most heartwarming label for the sport (2022) 

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Led by Messi, his teammates won the ultimate honor in football. This was also a response and gift to the supporters in Argentina and all over the world for their support over the past 20 years. He has proven that Messi can be the "New Maradona", and Messi will also become the role model and example for the next generation - a flawless icon in terms of skills, honors, character and life.

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Qatar World Cup ends with greatest final and a coronation for Lionel Messi | Barney Ronay

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Messi’s sublime brilliance elevated divisive World Cup into one of the great sports stories as France lost on penalties

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A gallery of Lionel Messi celebrating Argentina's World Cup win has become the most-liked Instagram post ever (2022)

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A gallery of Lionel Messi celebrating Argentina's World Cup win has become the most-liked Instagram post ever (2022)

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When people marvel at Messi's massive social media influence, they may fail to realize that Messi's story and image have become objects of enthusiasm among friends, narratives parents share with children, and inspiration that kids look up to and admire. This wide acknowledgment of Messi's star image also represents the emotional culmination of audiences' dreams embodied in Messi.

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Lionel Messi World Cup Instagram post is most-liked ever

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The Argentine footballer has picked up more than 57 million likes for his collection of photos.