Messi

Biodata

Personality

Messi is notably shy, soft-spoken, and uncomfortable with taking the initiative in difficult conversations. His hesitation repeatedly prevents him from immediately inviting Su Bai to represent Argentina, even when he knows how vital Su Bai could be to the national team. 170 172

Despite his fame, he remains humble and approachable. He gives youth players brief encouragement, treats opponents respectfully during shirt exchanges, and does not pressure Su Bai over major career decisions. 111 170 204

His loyalty to Barcelona initially makes him reluctant to leave despite the club's demands for half of his image rights. Conversations with Su Bai and Agüero, along with concern for Antonela and Thiago, ultimately lead him to prioritize his family and personal freedom. 241 291 295

Abilities & Skills

Elite Dribbling

Messi combines close control, rapid directional changes, shoulder drops, and acceleration to break through packed defenses.

• Dribbled past five Borussia Dortmund players to equalize in the UEFA Champions League final. 168
• Recreated a five-man solo goal against Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup. 187
• Escaped Portugal's three-man trap before creating Su Bai's open-goal finish. 191
• At age thirty-five, used successive feints to beat France's defenders and score Argentina's equalizer. 341

Playmaking and Combination Play

Messi's vision and passing allow him to serve as both a scorer and a creator, particularly alongside Su Bai.

• Developed immediate on-pitch understanding with Su Bai after the latter joined Argentina. 177 178
• Played the decisive square pass for Su Bai's hat-trick goal against Portugal. 191
• Used a disguised free-kick routine with Su Bai against the Netherlands, drawing defenders before releasing him for a shot. 195
• Formed the highly publicized “MS” partnership with Su Bai at Manchester City; their debut combination play drew comparisons to Messi's partnership with Xavi. 304

Finishing

Messi is a clinical scorer capable of curling finishes, solo goals, and decisive strikes under pressure.

• Scored a FIFA World Cup hat-trick against Switzerland after Su Bai set up his third goal. 188
• Scored Manchester City's first official goal of the Messi era 8.45 seconds into the Community Shield against Liverpool, breaking the fifteen-year fastest-goal record cited in the match commentary. 308
• Scored five goals in his Barcelona farewell match against Osasuna. 295

Relationships

• Su Bai — Teammate, close friend, and primary attacking partner. Messi initially struggles to invite him to Argentina, then openly asks him to fight by his side; they later become Manchester City teammates. 170 172 302
• Sergio Agüero — Closest friend since their time with Argentina's 2008 Olympic team. Agüero supports Messi through his Barcelona exit and eagerly anticipates playing alongside him at Manchester City. 110 291
• Antonela Roccuzzo — Wife and emotional anchor. Her happiness and their family life strongly influence Messi's decision to leave Barcelona. 176 241 295
• Thiago Messi — Son. Messi's concern for Thiago's future is part of his reassessment of life in Barcelona. 176 241
• Alejandro Sabella — Argentina head coach. Sabella views Messi and Su Bai as the foundation for a World Cup-winning tactical system. 172 313
• Josep Maria Bartomeu — Barcelona president whose image-rights demands and public campaign against Messi help end Messi's relationship with Barcelona. 295 296

Story Role / Major Arcs

• First contact with Su Bai: Messi watches Su Bai's Champions League display from Barcelona's training base and imagines pairing with him at the FIFA World Cup. He later visits Argentina's U-20 squad with Agüero and meets Su Bai in person. 108 110
• Recruiting Su Bai for Argentina: After Barcelona lose the Champions League final to Borussia Dortmund, Messi awkwardly exchanges shirts with Su Bai but cannot bring himself to make the invitation. He later sends a direct message asking Su Bai to join Argentina. 170 172
• World Cup partnership: Messi welcomes Su Bai into the Argentina squad and forms a dominant attacking connection with him. Their partnership helps Argentina overwhelm Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, Portugal, and other opponents en route to winning the FIFA World Cup. 174 178 188 191 204
• Barcelona contract crisis: Barcelona's demand for fifty percent of Messi's image rights causes his renewal negotiations to stall. Encouraged by Su Bai and Agüero, Messi reconsiders his lifelong loyalty to the club. 240 241
• Departure from Barcelona: Messi announces his farewell, rejects a future in La Liga, and leaves Barcelona after the club attempts to portray him as money-driven and withhold his image-rights income. 291 295 296
• Manchester City era: Messi is officially unveiled during Manchester City's Champions League title celebration. His partnership with Su Bai immediately becomes the centerpiece of the club's attack. 302 304
• Final international years: Messi continues to lead Argentina alongside Su Bai, including a crucial equalizer against France at age thirty-five. After winning the Copa América, he retires from international football and gives the captain's armband to Su Bai. 341 342

Notable Quotes

“If there is still a chance, I want to invite you in person to fight by my side.” 172

“The Eagles of the Pampas truly need you!” 172

“Goodbye! Goodbye!” 291

Trivia

• FIFA 2014 lists Messi with a 94 overall rating, including 92 pace, 96 dribbling, and 68 strength. 85
• Messi is described as rarely exchanging shirts, but he keeps the jerseys he receives in a dedicated display room. 170
• After Su Bai introduces him to Mahjong during Manchester City's China tour, Messi becomes particularly enthusiastic about the game. 304