Lionel Messi’s Argentina beats Colombia in Copa America 2024 final©AFP
Lionel Messi, widely considered the “GOAT”, won his third consecutive international title when Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America 2024 final. The tournament nearly ended in disappointment for Messi when he was forced to be substituted in the second half with an ankle injury. As Messi sobbed on the bench, his teammates rose to hand him the trophy, which Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time to win. It was Messi’s 45th trophy, making him the most decorated footballer of all time, surpassing Brazil’s Dani Alves, and a major “world record”.
With Argentina, Messi has won four international titles in just three years: the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa Americas and the Finalissima between 2021 and 2024. In total, Messi has won 39 titles in his illustrious club career, most of which came with Barcelona.
He has won a total of 12 league titles (10 with Barcelona and two with PSG), four UEFA Champions League titles (all with Barcelona) and 17 domestic cups (15 total with Barcelona, one with PSG and one with Inter Miami in the MLS).
He has also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup three times each. On the international stage, Messi has also won the 2005 U-17 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games with Argentina.
Individually, Messi has won the most Ballon d’Or awards (8) and the European Golden Boot (6).
Messi has made 1,068 appearances in his career, scoring 838 goals and providing 374 assists.
It wasn’t the easiest start for Messi as a boy in Rosario, but a call from Barcelona changed his life forever. The rest is history as far as his career at the club goes, but Messi remains the target of criticism on the international circuit.
But over the past four years, Messi has also proven himself on the international stage, winning three major trophies with Argentina, with the Copa America 2024 title likely to be his last with the country.
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