Lionel Messi : Maestro on the pitch

Leo Messi's footballing career started in 1995 at Newell's Old Boys, where he played until the year 2000. At the age of 13, Lionel Messi crossed the Atlantic to try his luck in Barcelona, and joined the Under 14s. Messi made spectacular progress at each of the different age levels, climbing through the ranks to Barça C, followed by Barça B and the first team in record time.

Messi has five FIFA Ballon d’Or to his name, matched only by his rival Cristiano Ronaldo. A versatile attacker, messi plays on the right wing or as a centre-forward. Nicknamed ‘La Pulga’, he has scored 600 senior career goals from 747 appearances till date.