Messi began playing football when he was a young lad and joined the Newell’s Old Boys juvenile team in 1995. (a Rosario-based top-division football club). Elite clubs on both sides of the Atlantic were drawn to Messi’s extraordinary abilities. Messi moved to Barcelona with his family when he was 13 years old and started playing for FC Barcelona’s under-14 squad. For the junior team, he scored 21 goals in 14 games. He advanced quickly through the higher-level teams, and at the age of 16, he made his unofficial FC Barcelona debut in a friendly game.
Messi, who was 17 at the time, set a record for being the youngest player and goalscorer in La Liga, Spain's top football league, during the 2004–05 season. He was strong, balanced, and adaptable on the field despite being only 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) tall and weighing 148 pounds (67 kg). With his left foot, his quickness, and his ability to control the ball precisely, Messi was a natural passer who could easily weave through densely defended areas. He received Spanish citizenship in 2005, which was received with mixed emotions by Barcelona's fervently Catalan fans. Barcelona and Messi won the Champions League (the European club championship) the next year.
Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, stated on Thursday that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will “definitely” be his final tournament
"Definitely my final World Cup. I have fantastic physical health, and this year, unlike last year, I was able to have a strong preseason. It was crucial that I arrive where I am in a positive frame of mind and with a lot of hope, "he told ESPN Argentina, 35 years old.
Messi, who will play in his fifth World Cup, made his international debut for Argentina in 2005. Since then, he has earned 164 caps for the team and is the all-time leading scorer with 90 goals.
Messi said in the interview that he was anxious about the upcoming competition in Qatar. The conversation took place in Paris, where Messi represents Paris Saint-Germain.
“There is anxiety, nerves about the World Cup'', he said. "We can't wait for it to start."
Messi made his international debut in 2005 as a substitute against Hungary, but he only played for two minutes before he was dismissed. Nevertheless, he quickly made his mark on the national team, and in 2006, he went to Germany for his first World Cup.
Later, he participated in the tournaments held in South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014, where Argentina advanced to the final, and Russia in 2018.
The current team, led by Lionel Scaloni, has gone 35 games without a loss and is expected to be one of the pre-tournament favorites for the tournament in Qatar.
“Anything can happen,” remarked Messi, “but we have reached a good point with a very well-equipped and very strong group".
The games are all quite challenging. The favourites don’t always come out on top or go in the direction that one anticipates.
We are at a terrific point with a very strong group and very well-equipped, but anything can happen “Messi added.
“The games are all really challenging. The favourites don’t always come out on top or go in the direction that one anticipates.
“Argentina is a perennial contender because of its significance and history. However, we are not the sole favorites; other teams rank ahead of us.”
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