What was messis first team

Four years later, following another La Liga title, Messi again established a new standard for excellence by claiming his sixth Ballon d'Or. He made his debut for the club on August For all his success with Barcelona, Messi has come under fire for his inability to help Argentina's national team win a major title.

He did lead "La Albiceleste" to the final of the World Cup, and was named player of the tournament, although his team lost to Germany. In , following Argentina's second consecutive loss to Chile in the final of the Copa America tournament, Messi announced he was ending his run with the national team. The soccer great eventually reversed his decision, but his participation in the World Cup did not bring that elusive title, as hoped. After Messi scored an early goal in a win over Nigeria that helped his team advance from the group stage, he was largely kept in check by France, his two assists not enough to stave off a defeat that sent Argentina packing.

The following year, after Messi heavily criticized the referees in the wake of a loss to Brazil in the Copa America semifinals, the Argentine captain was slapped with a three-game ban by the South American Football Confederation. He's also won the European Golden Shoe for top scorer six times, two more than his nearest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

In July , Messi suffered a blow off the soccer field when a Barcelona court found him and his father guilty of three counts of tax fraud. During a four-day trial, Messi and his father denied breaking the law and claimed they were unaware of any tax illegalities that were committed.

However, they were both sentenced to 21 months in prison. Under Spanish law, first offenses under two years are suspended so they did not go to jail, but Messi was ordered to pay a fine of 2 million euros. His father was required to pay 1. On June 30, , Messi married Antonella Roccuzzo, his longtime girlfriend and the cousin of his best friend and fellow soccer player Lucas Scaglia. Messi and Roccuzzo have three children together: Thiago, born in November , Mateo, born in September and Ciro, born in March Messi met Roccuzzo in their hometown of Rosario when he was 5 years old.

Although famously private off the field, Messi has quietly helped others in need. In , he formed the Leo Messi Foundation to provide opportunities for disadvantaged youths. Gerard Pique left La Masia for Manchester United in before returning to Barcelona in , and he remains one of the first names on the team sheet.

Following injuries to Thiago Motta , Edmilson and Gerard, Rafa Marquez moved from his favoured centre-back position and played in midfield throughout Xavi had already made over appearances for Barcelona before that Espanyol game and was partnered by Deco, who scored the only goal on the night and was later replaced by Messi.

Sergio Busquets remains a near ever-present in the Barcelona midfield and started against Celta Vigo alongside teenage sensation Pedri, who was not yet two years old when Messi made his debut.

With Frenkie de Jong unavailable due to a suspension, Ilaix Moriba made just his 17th appearance for Barcelona, but he faces an uncertain future at the club. Despite being a winger, Ousmane Dembele was used as a right wing-back in the formation while Jordi Alba lined up on the left.

Fati 10 Ansu Fati. Demir 11 Yusuf Demir. Braithwaite 12 Martin Braithwaite. Jong 17 Luuk de Jong. Xavi Xavi. Become A Culer. Follow FC Barcelona. The largest and most innovative sports and entertainment space. The organisation that unites ex-players from all FC Barcelona football teams. Summer Camp. Basketball First Team. Handball First Team. Futsal First Team. Roller Hockey First Team. Esports eFootball PES. Don't Miss. Sporting Management. Roller Hockey.

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