Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, is often regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
This week, following his exceptional performance at the 2026 World Cup, where he has already become the all-time leading goalscorer of the tournament (for the time being), he has yet another cause for celebration.
What date was Lionel Messi born?
Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina.
Today—Wednesday, June 24—is his birthday.
His Zodiac sign is Cancer.
He shares this significant date with another Argentine football legend, Juan Roman Riquelme, who turns 48 today.
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How old is he?
Messi celebrated his 39th birthday on June 24, 2026.
Throughout his career, he has continually surpassed expectations, overcoming a childhood growth hormone deficiency to become one of the sport’s most remarkable players.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi has already made significant history.
With 18 goals across six tournaments, he now holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s former record of 16.
Having made history as Argentina’s youngest World Cup scorer in 2006, he then became their oldest in a match against Algeria, setting the record for the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the tournament.
Unfortunately, this year he also achieved a less favorable record by missing the most penalties in World Cup history.
Messi led Argentina to glory in the 2022 World Cup, securing the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, an honor he also received in 2014.
In addition to his World Cup accomplishments, he has collected an unprecedented eight Ballon d’Or awards.
Is he the oldest player at the World Cup?
According to FIFA, Messi is currently ranked 12th among the oldest players in the tournament.
As of June 24, there are eight players in this World Cup who are 40 years old or older.
The oldest player is Scotland’s goalkeeper Craig Gordon, born on December 31, 1982, who is now 43 years old.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, born on February 5, 1985, is now 41 years old.
The other six players, all aged 40, are listed below:
- Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, born July 13, 1985
- Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, born September 9, 1985
- Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko, born March 17, 1986
- Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, born March 27, 1986
- Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, born June 16, 1986
- Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, born June 3, 1986
