Messi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Lionel Messi (Leo Messi; 梅西)
Alias(es)	“Little Flea”; “King of Barca”
Gender	Male
Nationality	Argentina
Occupation/Role	Professional footballer; forward and later attacking midfielder; Argentina national-team captain
Affiliation	FC Barcelona (former); Argentina National Team (former)
Status	Retired from club football at age 36; permanently retired from the Argentina National Team after the 2022 World Cup 242 332
First Appearance	Chapter 1
Birth Year	1987 1

Background / History

Messi had been with FC Barcelona since age 13 and hoped to finish his career there. Barcelona’s decline, the club’s financial problems, and persistent narratives that he had become an obstacle to rebuilding left him exhausted and uncertain about remaining. Li Mingyu’s emergence restored some of his hope for the club, leading Messi to consider taking a supporting role in order to help the younger player succeed. 7 109 157

At the start of the story, Messi is physically and mentally worn down by the previous season’s transfer saga. In Barcelona’s home match against Huesca, he loses possession, pulls down the opponent to stop a counterattack, and is sent off after receiving a second yellow card. 1

Li Mingyu’s debut and rapid rise reshape Messi’s final Barcelona years. Messi praises Li after his first-team breakthrough, advises him to improve his stamina, and increasingly mentors him through the pressures of becoming Barcelona’s new focal point. 5 14 157

After Barcelona’s financial difficulties prevent a renewal, Messi leaves the club. He ultimately declines to play for another club and retires from football at 36, choosing rest and family life over continuing elsewhere. 331 332

Appearance

Messi is a short, bearded Argentine footballer. By the later stages of the story, his beard gives him an older, fatherly appearance beside Li Mingyu. 112 239

• Usually wears Argentina’s number 10 shirt for the national team. 225 236
• Recognized for his compact build and low center of gravity, which support his close-control dribbling. 195 233
• Is 34 during the 2022 World Cup group-stage match against Spain. 195

Personality

Messi is deeply loyal to Barcelona and carries a strong sense of responsibility as its longtime symbol. Even while contemplating departure, he wants the club to recover rather than collapse after him; Li Mingyu’s arrival encourages him to remain long enough to help establish a successor. 7 109 157

He is supportive toward younger teammates, particularly Li Mingyu. Messi offers direct advice, celebrates Li’s progress without resentment, and helps him cope with the pressure of being treated as Barcelona’s future. 14 19 157

On the pitch, Messi is highly competitive and can become visibly frustrated when isolated or unable to influence play. However, he also demonstrates composure under pressure, including a Panenka penalty against Athletic Bilbao and his willingness to sacrifice himself defensively for Argentina. 26 27 236

Abilities & Skills

Close-Control Dribbling

Messi’s most defining skill is his ability to retain and manipulate the ball in tight spaces, even when surrounded by multiple defenders.

• Escapes Athletic Bilbao’s defensive midfield pressure with sharp movement and acceleration before scoring from long range. 25
• Dribbles past Capa and repeatedly destabilizes Athletic Bilbao’s defensive flank. 26
• Beats Pedri and Azpilicueta while under a two-man challenge, including a nutmeg. 233
• Retains the technical ability to weave through multiple defenders for Argentina despite his age. 196

Finishing

Messi remains an elite scorer, capable of long-range strikes, penalties, volleys, and late decisive runs.

• Scores twice against Osasuna in the opening 25 minutes. 16
• Scores five goals in Barcelona’s 8–0 victory over Real Valladolid. 24
• Scores from nearly 40 meters against Athletic Bilbao after luring the defense out of shape. 25
• Completes a hat-trick within 30 minutes against Athletic Bilbao, including a Panenka penalty. 26
• Scores a midfield lob against Spain in the World Cup final. 231
• Completes a World Cup-final hat-trick, becoming the first player since Hurst in 1966 to do so. 237

Passing and Playmaking

Although primarily a scorer, Messi is an exceptional creator whose movement and passing can organize Barcelona’s attack.

• Provides through balls and assists, including the pass for Griezmann’s chip against Real Madrid. 139
• Combines with Li Mingyu on a corner routine that produces a world-class volley. 131
• Returns to attacking midfield after Li Mingyu leaves Barcelona, improving the team’s attacking organization at the cost of some of his own scoring threat. 184
• Is most dangerous as a finisher when Li Mingyu takes on more of Barcelona’s creative responsibility. 85 90

Resilience and Defensive Commitment

Messi’s later international performances show a willingness to defend and endure physically for Argentina.

• Immediately counter-presses after losing possession against Spain despite being knocked down in the duel. 195
• Drops deep to help Argentina withstand Portugal’s sustained pressure in the World Cup semifinal. 225
• Throws himself into the path of Li Mingyu’s powerful curling free kick, preventing a goal and forcing extra time in the World Cup final. 236
• Covers 97 meters in 14 seconds during extra time of the final before scoring his third goal. 237

Career Highlights

• Leads Barcelona through a resurgence after Li Mingyu joins, scoring 14 league goals in six matches following his suspension and match ban. 36
• Records a hat-trick against Athletic Bilbao in Barcelona’s record-setting match featuring two hat-tricks. 26 29
• Wins the 2020 Copa América, recording eight goals and four direct assists. 76
• Reaches the 2022 World Cup final as Argentina captain after defeating Portugal on penalties in the semifinal. 227 229
• Scores a hat-trick in the World Cup final against Spain, but Argentina lose in the penalty shootout. 237 239
• Retires from international football after five World Cups. 242

Relationships

• Li Mingyu — Teammate, protégé, close friend, and eventual rival. Messi praises Li’s debut, mentors him at Barcelona, and later faces him as Argentina’s captain in the World Cup final. 5 14 157 229 240
• Antonela — Wife. She supports Messi during injury and fatigue, and accompanies him to major events. 53 99 242
• Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro Messi — Sons. All become interested in Li Mingyu’s rise; Mateo in particular becomes a Li Mingyu fan. 99 112
• Cristiano Ronaldo — Longtime generational rival and personal friend. They meet for the first time on the World Cup stage in the Argentina–Portugal semifinal. 225 242
• Ronald Koeman — Barcelona manager. Messi’s early departure after his red card reflects strain within the declining team, but Koeman later relies on Messi’s experience and leadership. 1 25
• Pep Guardiola — Former Barcelona manager whom Messi still calls “Boss.” Messi hopes Li Mingyu can help Guardiola win another Champions League at Manchester City. 184
• Sergio Busquets — Longtime Barcelona teammate and defensive counterpart; Messi is described as Barcelona’s attacking pillar while Busquets anchors the defense. 158

Story Role / Major Arcs

Barcelona Decline and Li Mingyu’s Debut

Messi begins in poor form and receives a red card against Huesca, symbolizing Barcelona’s wider crisis. Li Mingyu’s substitution and subsequent hat-trick give Messi a glimpse of a possible future for the club. 1 5

Barcelona Revival

Messi regains his scoring form alongside Li Mingyu. He leads Barcelona’s revenge mission at San Mamés, scores a long-range world goal, and completes a first-half hat-trick against Athletic Bilbao. 25 26

Mentor and Successor

As Li Mingyu becomes Barcelona’s new core, Messi willingly shares responsibility and occasionally yields set pieces to help the team adapt to the changing hierarchy. He remains emotionally conflicted about losing his central role but takes pride in having a successor. 109 132

Injuries and Departure from Barcelona

Repeated fatigue and injuries limit Messi’s availability during important periods. After Li Mingyu transfers to Manchester City, Messi loses his remaining reason to stay at Barcelona; financial constraints ultimately force his departure. 99 184 331

Final World Cup

Messi enters his final World Cup determined to win the one major trophy missing from his career. He leads Argentina to the final, scores three times against Spain, blocks Li Mingyu’s decisive free kick with his body, and converts his shootout penalty, but Argentina ultimately lose. 194 236 237 239

Retirement

Following the World Cup, Messi permanently retires from the Argentina National Team. After Barcelona no longer needs him, he rejects the prospect of joining another club and retires from football entirely. 242 332

Notable Quotes

“Li, the future belongs to you now!” 242

“I'll never play for any other club in my life. Since Barcelona no longer needs me, then I'll just retire.” 332

Trivia

• Messi made his Barcelona league debut at age 17 against Espanyol in 2004. 5
• In 2007, he recreated Maradona’s famous dribble past five players against Getafe; young Li Mingyu witnessed it with his father and made Messi his idol. 5
• Messi’s Ability Value is recorded as 97 during Argentina’s World Cup match against Spain. 195
• He is described as having scored 91 goals in a single year during his peak period. 90
• Ibrahimovic calls himself a Messi fan and once ranked Messi first, Messi in poor form second, and himself third. 89