Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, known as Leo (Rosario, 24 June 1987), is an Argentine footballer, midfielder or forward for Inter Miami and the Argentine national team, of which he is captain and with which he became champion of South America in 2021 and champion of world in 2022. He is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, as well as by some critics the best ever. He is the second most prolific scorer in the history of football and the best South American scorer of the national football teams. The 44 official trophies won in his career make him the most successful footballer ever. He is also included in the list of players with at least 1000 career appearances. He holds the record for goals scored in official competitions both in a single season (82 in 2011-2012) and in a calendar year (91 in 2012) and is the player who holds the records for goals (34) and assists (15) in finals in official competitions. He also ranks first as the best finisher in the history of football with more than 363 assists to his name. With 35 trophies won he is the most decorated footballer in the history of Barcelona, a club for which he also holds the record for appearances, goals and assists. Together with Luis Suárez and Neymar he was part of the most prolific trident (called MSN from the initials of their surnames) in the history of the club and Spanish football. He is the record holder for goals and assists in La Liga. He holds the absolute record for goals (50 in 2011-2012) and assists (21 in 2019-2020) scored in a single season in the five main European leagues. With the Argentine national team, for which he is the record holder for appearances and goals, he participated in the editions of the world championship between 2006 and 2022, - a record - and in six of the Copa América, editions between 2007 and 2021. On an individual level he won the Ballon d'Or seven times, the Golden Boot six times, the FIFA best player in the world award seven times and the UEFA best player award three times.