List of career achievements by Lionel Messi
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Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, widely considered as one of the greatest athletes of all time, and by many as the greatest football player ever, has been awarded throughout his career a total of eight Ballon d'Or awards and three The Best FIFA Men's Player awards, the most for any player. He holds the record for the most goals in Europe’s Top Five Leagues (496), La Liga (474), Supercopa de España (14), UEFA Super Cup (3) and is also the first and only player in history to win five and six European Golden Shoes. He has scored 919 goals for club and country and 125 goals for national team including 21 goals in the FIFA World Cup, 129 goals in UEFA Champions League and 6 goals in the FIFA Club World Cup throughout his professional career, making him the second-highest all-time goalscorer in mentioned career and competitions. Messi is also the player with the most official recorded assists in football history (418), international football (65), FIFA World Cup (12), Copa América (18), La Liga (192), Copa del Rey (33) and Supercopa de España (5).[1][2] Collectively, Messi has won 44 senior trophies (inluding FIFA World Cup, Finalissima, Copa América, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Champions League) and 46 official trophies including youth-level honours (FIFA U-20 World Cup and Summer Olympics Gold Medal) in his career.[note 1]
Messi during the presentation of the 2019 Ballon d'Or
Collective awards
- Note
- According to FC Barcelona,[3] FIFA,[4] the Royal Spanish Football Federation,[5] and multiple media outlets,[6][7][8] Messi also won the 2005 Supercopa de España, bringing his Barcelona trophy total to 35.[9] However, this particular trophy is not credited here since Messi was out of the squad and did not feature in any of the two games against Real Betis.[10][11] Similarly, Messi and Inter Miami were awarded a trophy for winning the Eastern Conference title during the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs. However, this trophy is not officially recognized by FIFA, so it is not credited here as well.[12][13] For the aforementioned reasons, sources disagree on Messi's total number of accolades, ranging from 46 to 48 official career trophies, with his senior official trophy count ranging from 44 to 46.[14][15][16]
Friendly competitions
Argentina
Barcelona
- Joan Gamper Trophy: 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020[44]
- Ramón de Carranza Trophy: 2005[45]
- Franz Beckenbauer Cup: 2007[46]
- Nelson Mandela Trophy: 2018[47]
- Memorial Artemio Franchi: 2008[48]
- Summer of Champions' Cup: 2012[49][50]
- International Champions Cup: 2017 United States[51]
- Tournoi de Paris: 2012[52]
- Qatar Airways Cup: 2016[53]
- Chang Champions Cup: 2013[54]
Paris Saint-Germain
Individual honours
Selections for the best football player
World
Awards ceremonies to crown the best player of the world have been organized annually since 1955, when the inaugural Ballon d'Or awarding took place. The Ballon d'Or was presented to the player who had been voted to have performed the best over the previous year, and was established by French journalist Gabriel Hanot. Originally, votes could only be awarded to European players before a 1995 rule change.
The FIFA World Player of the Year was established in 1991.
FIFA Ballon d'Or
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 |  Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |  Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) | Xavi (Barcelona) |
| Percentage | 22.65% | 17.36% | 16.48% |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |  Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Xavi (Barcelona) |
| Percentage | 47.88% | 21.61% | 9.23% |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) |
| Percentage | 41.17% | 23.68% | 10.91% |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |  Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich) |
| Percentage | 27.99% | 24.72% | 23.36% |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |  Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) |
| Percentage | 37.66% | 15.76% | 15.73% |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |  Neymar (Barcelona) |
| Percentage | 41.33% | 27.76% | 7.86% |
Ballon d'Or
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Kaká (Milan) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |
| Points | 444 | 277 | 255 |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Fernando Torres (Liverpool) |
| Points | 446 | 281 | 179 |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/Real Madrid) | Xavi (Barcelona) |
| Points | 473 | 233 | 170 |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid) |
| Points | 745 | 316 | 198 |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Neymar (Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Points | 946 | 670 | 361 |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |  Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) |
| Points | 686 | 679 | 476 |
| 2021 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain) |  Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) |  Jorginho (Chelsea) |
| Points | 613 | 580 | 460 |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/Inter Miami) |  Erling Haaland (Manchester City) | Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Points | 462 | 357 | 270 |
- Nominated for Ballon d'Or: 2006,[a] 2018[b]
FIFA World Player of the Year
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Kaká (Milan) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) |
| Points | 1047 | 504 | 426 |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Fernando Torres (Liverpool) |
| Points | 935 | 678 | 203 |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/Real Madrid) | Xavi (Barcelona) |
| Points | 1073 | 352 | 196 |
The Best FIFA Men's Player
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid) |
| Percentage | 34.54% | 26.42% | 7.53% |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Neymar (Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Percentage | 43.16% | 19.25% | 6.97% |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) |
| Points | 46 | 38 | 36 |
| 2020 | Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |
| Points | 52 | 38 | 35 |
| 2021 | Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain) |  Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) |
| Points | 48 | 44 | 39 |
| 2022 | Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) | Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) | Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) |
| Points | 52 | 44 | 34 |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/Inter Miami) | Erling Haaland (Manchester City) | Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Points | 48[c] | 48 | 35 |
- Nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Player: 2018,[b] 2024[d]
FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
Messi is the only player to date to have won the Golden Ball more than once.
| Year | Golden Ball | Silver Ball | Bronze Ball | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Lionel Messi |
Thomas Müller |
Arjen Robben |
[56] |
| 2022 | Kylian Mbappé |
 Luka Modrić |
[57] | |
| 2026 | Rodri |
Lionel Messi |
Kylian Mbappé |
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball
| Year | Golden Ball | Silver Ball | Bronze Ball | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Lionel Messi |
Juan Sebastián Verón |
Xavi |
[58] |
| 2011 | Xavi |
Neymar |
[59] | |
| 2015 |  Luis Suárez |
Lionel Messi |
Andrés Iniesta |
[60] |
FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball
| Year | Golden Ball | Silver Ball | Bronze Ball | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  Lionel Messi |
 John Obi Mikel |
Taye Taiwo |
[61] |
Other
- MARCA America Award (Most decorated player in football history): 2024[62][63][64]
- FIFPro Young Player of the Year Award: 2006, 2007, 2008
- Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year Award: 2015
- The Ring Award (Best footballer of the year) by 433: 2021[65]
- Goal Best Player of the Year Award: 2008–09,[66] 2010–11,[67] 2012–13, 2014–15,[68] 2020–21,[69] 2021–22,[70] 2022–23[71]
- Marca Best Player of the Year Award: 2017,[72] 2018,[73] 2019[74]
- The Guardian Best Footballer of the Year: 2012,[75] 2013,[76] 2015,[77] 2017,[78] 2019,[79] 2022[80]
- FourFourTwo (FFT) Best Footballer of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019
- ESPN Best Forward of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021[81]
- World Soccer Men's World Player of the Year: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022
- World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 2006, 2007, 2008[82]
- Kicker World Player of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020[83][84][85][86][87]
- ESPY Best Soccer Player of the Year: 2023,[88] 2026[89]
- ESPY Best International Men's Soccer Player of the Year: 2019[90][91]
- ΕΘΝΟΣΠΟΡ Best Footballer of the Year: 2009[92]
- Dongqiudi Player of the Year: 2019,[93] 2021,[94] 2022[95]
- Nubia Magazine World's Best Player of the Year: 2021[96]
- Best Player of the Decade (2010–2019) by Sporting News: 2019[97][98]
- Best Club Player of the Decade (2010–2019) by Sports Illustrated: 2019[99]
- Best Player of the Decade (2011–2021) by 90min: 2021[100]
- Best Player of the 21st Century by The Independent: 2019[101][102]
- Best Player of the 21st Century by FourFourTwo: 2022[103]
- Best Player of the 21st Century by O Globo: 2023[104][105]
- Best Player of the 21st Century by ESPN: 2024[106]
- Best Player of the 21st Century by Talksport: 2024[107]
- Best Player of the 21st Century by Goal: 2024[108]
- Best Player of the 21st Century by Canal+: 2026[109]
- Best Player of the last 25 years by FourFourTwo: 2020[110][111]
- Best Player of the last 25 years by OneFootball: 2025[112]
- Best Player of All Time by Voetbal International: 2017[113][114]
- Best Player of All Time by 90min: 2023[115]
- Best Player of All Time by Radio Times: 2023[116]
- Best Player of All Time by FourFourTwo: 2023[117]
- Best Player of All Time by The Mirror: 2023[118]
- Best Player of All Time by Sports Illustrated: 2024[119]
- Best Player of All Time by BeSoccer: 2024[120]
- Best Player of All Time by The Athletic: 2025[121]
- Best Player of All Time by GiveMeSport: 2026[122]
- IFFHS World's Best Player: 2022[123]
- IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2015,[124] 2016,[125] 2017,[126] 2019,[127] 2022[128]
- IFFHS World's Best Man Left Winger: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020[129]
- IFFHS World's Best Man Central Left Midfielder: 2021, 2022, 2023[130]
- IFFHS World's Best Man Player of the Decade (2011–2020): 2021[131]
- IFFHS World's Best Playmaker of the Decade (2011–2020): 2021[132]
- IFFHS World's Best Man Player of All Time: 2025[133]
- IFFHS World's Best Playmaker of All Time (2006–2022): 2023[134]
- IFFHS Best Player of the FIFA World Cup: 2026[135][e]
- Listed in Goal 50 Best Players of the Year: 2007–08,[f] 2009–10,[f] 2011–12,[g] 2013–14,[g] 2015–16,[h] 2016–17,[h] 2017–18,[b] 2018–19,[f] 2019–20[g][136][137][138][139][140]
- Listed in Marca 100 Best Players of the Year: 2016,[f] 2020,[i] 2022,[j] 2023,[f] 2024,[k] 2025[l]
- Listed in The Guardian 100 Best Footballers of the Year: 2014,[f] 2016,[f] 2018,[g] 2020,[f] 2021,[f] 2023,[i] 2024,[m] 2025[n][141][142]
- Listed in FFT 100 Best Footballers of the Year: 2008,[f] 2013,[f] 2014,[f] 2016,[f] 2020,[h] 2021,[g] 2022,[b] 2023,[d] 2024,[o] 2025[p][143][144][145][146][147][148][149]
- Listed in ESPN FC 100 Best Forwards of the Year: 2023,[g] 2024[q][150]
- Listed in ESPN FC 100 Best Wingers of the Year: 2025[r][151]
- Listed in AFS 50 Top Players of All Time: 2017[b][152]
- Shortlisted for FIFA World Cup Young Player Award: 2006[153][154]
- Shortlisted for Golden Foot Award: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
- Shortlisted for Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024[155][156]
- Shortlisted for Globe Soccer Player of 21st Century: 2020[s][157]
- Shortlisted for World Soccer Men's World Player of the Year: 2007,[f] 2008,[f] 2010,[f] 2013,[f] 2014,[g] 2016,[f] 2017,[f] 2018,[h] 2020,[g] 2021[f][158][159][160]
- Shortlisted for World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 2005[g][161]
- Shortlisted for World Soccer Player of the Decade (2000s): 2009[t]
- Shortlisted for World Soccer Greatest Striker of All Time: 2013[u]
- Shortlisted for RSSSF Player of the Year : 2005[v][162]
- Shortlisted for IFFHS World's Best Player: 2021,[f][163] 2023[g][164]
- Shortlisted for IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2007,[g][165] 2008,[g][166] 2009,[f][167] 2011,[f][168] 2012,[g][169] 2014,[f][170] 2018,[f][171] 2020,[f][172] 2021,[f][173] 2023,[f][174] 2024,[b][175] 2025[h][176]
Europe
UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award
According to UEFA, the award "recognise[s] the best player, irrespective of his nationality, playing for a football club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the previous season."[177] Players are judged by their performances in all competitions, domestic and international, and at club and national team levels throughout the season.[177]
In the past, the award was solely decided by a panel of 53 leading sports journalists.[178] In 2018, however, UEFA added 80 coaches, from the clubs that participated in the group stages of that year's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, to its jury. The amount of journalists selected by the European Sports Media association was also increased to 55, representing each of UEFA's member associations.[179]
| Season | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11[180] | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Xavi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |
| Points | 39 | 11 | 3 |
| 2011–12 | Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) | Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively) | |
| Points | 19 | 17 | |
| 2012–13 | Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |
| Points | 36 | 14 | 3 |
| 2014–15[181] | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Luis Suárez (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |
| Points | 49 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016–17 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) |
| Points | 482 | 141 | 109 |
| 2018–19[182] | Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) |
| Points | 305 | 207 | 74 |
| 2022–23[183] | Erling Haaland (Manchester City) | Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) |  Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) |
| Points | 352 | 227 | 225 |
Champions League Forward of the Season
Champions League positional awards were introduced in 2017 to "recognise the season's best player in each position in Europe's premier club competition".[184]
| Season | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17[185] | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Paulo Dybala (Juventus) |
| Points | 359 | 147 | 64 |
| 2017–18[186] | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |
| Points | 287 | 218 | 43 |
| 2018–19[187] | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |  Sadio Mané (Liverpool) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) |
| Points | 285 | 109 | 91 |
- Nominated for UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season: 2019–20,[b] 2020–21[h]
Other
- UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2008–09[188]
- UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2008–09[189]
- Onze d'Or by Onze Mondial: 2009, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2017–18
- Onze d'Argent by Onze Mondial: 2008, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2020–21
- King of European Soccer by El País: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012[190][191]
- Golden Boy Award by Tuttosport: 2005[192]
- Bravo Award by Guerin Sportivo: 2007
- UEFA Champions League Player of the Week: 2015–16/MD5, 2016–17/MD1-MD3-MD5, 2017–18/R16(2nd leg), 2018–19/MD1-MD2-MD5-MD10-MD11[193]
- JOE's Champions League Man of the Week: 2014/45,[194] 2014/48[195] 2015/19[196]
- Shortlisted for UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2007–08,[197] 2009–10[198]
- Shortlisted for King of European Soccer by El País: 2007,[f] 2008[f]
- Shortlisted for Bravo Award by Guerin Sportivo: 2006[f][199]
- Shortlisted for Golden Player Man Award by Tuttosport: 2021[g][200]
Americas
- Copa América Best Player: 2015, 2021[201]
- Copa América Best Young Player: 2007[202]
- Leagues Cup Best Player: 2023[203]
- CONMEBOL Baton of Football: 2023[204][205]
Other
- Best South American Player of the 21st Century by Goal: 2024[206]
- Best South American Player of All Time by FourFourTwo: 2023[207]
- Best South American Player of All Time by Sports Illustrated: 2019[208]
- IFFHS Best Player of CONMEBOL: 2020,[209] 2021,[210] 2022[211]
- IFFHS Best Man CONMEBOL Player of the Decade (2011–2020): 2021[212]
National
Spain
La Liga Awards
- La Liga Best Player/Most Valuable Player:[x] 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19[215][216][217][218]
- La Liga Best Forward: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16[215][216][217][219]
- La Liga Player of the Month: January 2016, April 2017, April 2018, September 2018, March 2019, November 2019, February 2020, February 2021[220][221][222][223][224][225]
Other
- Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano: 2008–09,[226] 2009–10, 2010–11,[227] 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19[228]
- Don Balón Award: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10[229]
- Trofeo EFE: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012[230][231]
- Mundo Deportivo Trofeo MVP La Liga: 2017–18, 2018–19,[232][233][234] 2019–20[235]
- Sofascore Player of the Season:[y] 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21[237]
- Best La Liga Player of the 21st Century by Goal: 2024[238]
- Shortlisted for Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano: 2011–12,[f] 2012–13,[f] 2013–14[g]
- Shortlisted for Don Balón Player of the Decade (2000s): 2010[z]
France
Ligue 1 Awards
- Ligue 1 Foreign Player of the Season: 2022–23[239][240]
- Ligue 1 Player of the Month: September 2022[241]
Other
United States
MLS Awards
- MLS Most Valuable Player: 2024,[243] 2025[244]
- MLS Cup Most Valuable Player: 2025[245]
- MLS Player of the Month: April 2024,[246] October 2024,[247] May 2025,[248] July 2025,[249] October 2025[250]
- MLS Player of the Matchday: 2024/MD9-MD11-MD12-MD32-MD36-MD38, 2025/MD16-MD17-MD22-MD24-MD26-MD39, 2026/MD2-MD8
- Shortlisted for MLS Newcomer of the Year: 2023[aa]
- Shortlisted for MLS Most Valuable Player: 2023[252]
Other
Argentina
AFA awards
Other
- Olimpia de Plata Argentine Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[257]
- Platinum Konex Award Argentine Footballer of the Decade (2000s and 2010s): 2010,[258] 2020[259]
- Best Argentina Player of All Time by FourFourTwo: 2023[260]
Club
Barcelona
FC Barcelona awards
- Trofeo Aldo Rovira: 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18[261][262][263]
- Joan Gamper MVP Award: 2013,[264] 2014,[265] 2016,[266] 2018[267]
- Barça Players Award: 2015–16[268]
Other
Inter Miami
Inter Miami CF awards
Goalscoring and assist providing
Top goal scorer
European Golden Shoe
The European Golden Shoe is awarded to the top goalscorer in Europe. It is awarded based on a weighted points system that allows players in tougher leagues to win even if they score fewer goals than a player in a weaker league. Goals scored in the top five leagues according to the UEFA coefficients rankings are multiplied by a factor of two, and goals scored in the leagues ranked six to 21 are multiplied by 1.5.
Since the points system was established in 1996, Messi is the only player to win the award a record six times and also the only one to win it with a record 100 points (season 2011–12). Messi was also the first player to win the award five times.[274][275][276]
UEFA Champions League top scorer
Source: Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation,[277] UEFA,[278] WorldFootball.net[279]
La Liga top scorer (Pichichi Trophy)
Major League Soccer top scorer (MLS Golden Boot)
| Season | Player | Club | Goals | Matches | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lionel Messi |
 Inter Miami |
29 | 28 | 1.036 |
Source: Major League Soccer[280]
Other
Some of these accolades are shared with other players.
- FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022, 2026[281][ab]
- FIFA World Cup qualification – CONMEBOL Top Goal Scorer: 2026[283]
- FIFA Club World Cup Top Goal Scorer: 2011[ac]
- FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005
- Copa América Golden Boot: 2021[ad]
- Copa América Silver Boot: 2016
- Leagues Cup Top Goal Scorer: 2023[203]
- UEFA Super Cup Top Goal Scorer: 2011,[ae] 2015
- Supercopa de España Top Goal Scorer: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,[af] 2020[ag]
- Copa del Rey Top Goal Scorer: 2008–09,[ah][284] 2010–11,[af][285] 2013–14,[286] 2015–16,[ai][287] 2016–17[aj][288]
- Joan Gamper Trophy Top Goal Scorer: 2011, 2015,[ak] 2016, 2017,[al] 2018[am]
- La Liga All Time Top Goal Scorer Award by LFP: 2015[289][290]
- La Liga All Time Top Goal Scorer Award by Diario AS: 2019[291][292]
- Argentina All Time Top Goal Scorer award by AFA: 2021,[293] 2023[294]
- IFFHS World's Best Top Goal Scorer: 2012, 2016
- IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer: 2012,[295][296] 2013,[296] 2017,[296] 2018[an][296]
- IFFHS World's Best International Goal Scorer: 2011,[296] 2012,[296] 2022[297]
- IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer of the Decade (2011–2020): 2021[298]
- IFFHS All Time World's Best One Club Goal Scorer (672 goals for Barcelona): 2022[299]
- IFFHS All Time Best Goalscorer in Big 5 European Leagues (496 goals: 474 goals in La Liga and 22 goals in Ligue 1): 2023[300]
- IFFHS All Time Best Goalscorer in Europe (704 goals: 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 goals for Paris Saint-Germain): 2023[301]
- Shortlisted for Gerd Müller Trophy: 2023[h]
Best goal
- Copa América Best Goal: 2007
- UEFA Champions League Goal of the Season (chosen by UEFA Technical Observers): 2019–20[302]
- UEFA/UEFA.com Goal of the Season (voted by fans): 2014–15,[303][304] 2015–16,[305] 2018–19,[306] 2022–23[307]
- Best Goal of the UEFA Champions League according to fans: 2018–19[308]
- Best Goal in the semi-final stage of UEFA Champions League: 2018–19[308]
- Best Goal in the quarter-final stage of UEFA Champions League: 2018–19[308]
- Best Goal in the group stage of UEFA Champions League: 2022–23[309]
- Best Goal in the quarter-final stage of CONCACAF Champions Cup: 2025[310]
- Best Goal in the Leagues Cup final: 2023[311]
- Best Goal in the semi-final stage of Leagues Cup: 2023,[312] 2025[313][314]
- MLS Goal of the Matchday: 2023/MD28, 2024/MD9-MD17-MD32-MD35-MD36, 2025/MD11-MD15-MD16-MD22-MD24-MD29-MD35, 2026/MD2-MD6-MD11
- Barça Best Goal Ever Award: 2019[315]
- Nominated for FIFA Puskás Award: 2010,[316] 2011,[f][316] 2012, 2015,[f][316] 2016,[316] 2018, 2019[f][317]
- Nominated for FIFA World Cup Goal of the Tournament Award: 2014, 2018, 2026[318]
- Nominated for FIFA Club World Cup Goal of the Tournament Award: 2025[319]
- Nominated for UEFA/UEFA.com Goal of the Season Award: 2021–22[f][320]
- Nominated for CONCACAF Goal of the Year Award: 2024–25[321]
- Nominated for La Liga Goal of the Season Award: 2013–14[322]
- Nominated for Ligue 1 Goal of the Year Award: 2022–23[323]
- Nominated for MLS Goal of the Year Award: 2025[324][ao]
Hat-tricks
4 Scored 4 goals
5 Scored 5 goals
Top assist provider
- FIFA World Cup Top Assist Provider: 2018,[ap] 2022[aq]
- FIFA World Cup qualification – CONMEBOL Top Assist Provider: 2010,[326] 2014[327]
- FIFA Club World Cup Top Assist Provider: 2011
- Copa América Top Assist Provider: 2011, 2015,[ar] 2016, 2021
- Finalissima Top Assist Provider: 2022
- UEFA Super Cup Top Assist Provider: 2009, 2011
- UEFA Champions League Top Assist Provider: 2011–12,[as] 2014–15
- Supercopa de España Top Assist Provider: 2011,[at][328] 2016,[329] 2018[au][330]
- La Liga Top Assist Provider: 2010–11, 2014–15, 2015–16,[av][331] 2017–18,[aw] 2018–19, 2019–20[332]
- Copa del Rey Top Assist Provider: 2011–12,[ax] 2013–14,[ay] 2014–15,[av] 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
- Ligue 1 Top Assist Provider: 2022–23[333][334]
- Major League Soccer Top Assist Provider: 2025[az]
- MLS Cup Top Assist Provider: 2025[335]
Inclusions in best team/dream team/best XI
International
Awarded by International Football Federations
- FIFPRO World 11: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023[336][337]
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2014, 2022
- Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2024
- UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year[338]
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020[339][340][341][342][343]
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
- UEFA Champions League Player Rater Team of the Season: 2009–10,[344] 2010–11,[345] 2011–12[346]
- UEFA Champions League Player Rater Team of the Week: 2010–11/MD1,[347] 2010–11/MD8A,[348] 2010–11/MD10,[349] 2010–11/MD11,[350] 2010–11/MD12[351]
- CONCACAF Champions Cup Team of the Week: 2024/R16,[352] 2025/R1,[353] 2025/QF[354]
Other
- Ballon d'Or Dream Team (First Team): 2020[355]
- Diario AS 11 LeyendAS: 2021[356]
- World Soccer Greatest XI of all time: 2013[357]
- France Football Team of the Decade (2010–2019): 2019[358]
- Sports Illustrated Team of the Decade (2000s and 2010s): 2009,[359] 2019[99][ba]
- ESPN World Team of the Decade (2000s): 2010[360]
- Goal World Team of the Decade (2010s): 2019[361]
- France Football World XI of the Year: 2015[362]
- L'Équipe Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,[363] 2012,[364][365] 2013,[366] 2014,[367] 2016,[368] 2017,[369] 2018,[370] 2022[371]
- FIFA/EA Sports FC Team of the Year (TOTY Award): 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020,[bb] 2021, 2022, 2023[372][373][374]
- ESM Team of the Season: 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23[375][376][377][378][379]
- El País South American Team of the Year: 2025[380]
- IFFHS Men's World Team: 2017,[381] 2018,[382] 2019,[383] 2020,[384] 2021,[385] 2022,[386] 2023[387]
- IFFHS Team of the FIFA World Cup: 2026[388][bc]
- IFFHS Men's CONMEBOL Team: 2020,[389] 2021,[390] 2022,[391] 2023,[392] 2024,[393] 2025[394]
- IFFHS Team of the Copa América: 2021,[395] 2024[396]
- IFFHS Men's World Team of the Decade (2011–2020): 2021[397]
- IFFHS Men's CONMEBOL Team of the Decade (2011–2020): 2021[398]
- IFFHS All-time World Men's Dream Team: 2021[399]
- IFFHS All-time South America Men's Dream Team: 2021[400]
National
Spain
La Liga Awards
Other
France
Ligue1 Awards
United States
MLS Awards
Argentina
AFA Awards
Other
Club
Barcelona
Man of the match awards
International Competitions
FIFA World Cup
| Edition | Player | For | Against | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 2010 South Africa |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
Greece (GS) | 14 |
| 2014 Brazil |
Argentina |
Bosnia and Herzegovina (GS), Iran (GS), Nigeria (GS), Switzerland (R16) | 1 | |
 2018 Russia |
Argentina |
Nigeria (GS) | 9 | |
 2022 Qatar |
Argentina |
Mexico (GS), Australia (R16), Netherlands (QF), Croatia (SF), France (F) | 1 | |
  2026 Canada Mexico United States |
Argentina |
Algeria (GS), Austria (GS), Cape Verde (R32), Egypt (R16), England (SF) | 1 |
Finalissima
| Edition | Player | For | Against | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 2022 London |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
Italy (F) | 1 |
Copa América
| Edition | Player | For | Against | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Argentina |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
Bolivia (GS), Costa Rica (GS) | 1 |
 2015 Chile |
Argentina |
Paraguay (GS), Uruguay (GS), Colombia (QF), Paraguay (SF) | 1 | |
| 2016 United States |
Argentina |
Panama (GS), Venezuela (QF), United States (SF) | 1 | |
| 2019 Brazil |
Argentina |
Qatar (GS) | 8 | |
| 2021 Brazil |
Argentina |
Chile (GS), Uruguay (GS), Bolivia (GS), Ecuador (QF) | 1 | |
| 2024 United States |
Argentina |
Canada (SF) | 7 |
FIFA Club World Cup Final
| Edition | Player | For | Against | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 2009 UAE |
Lionel Messi |
Barcelona |
Estudiantes (LP) |
[420] |
 2011 Japan |
Barcelona |
Santos |
[420] |
UEFA Super Cup
| Edition | Player | For | Against | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 2009 Monaco |
Lionel Messi |
Barcelona |
 Shakhtar Donetsk |
[421][422] |
 2015 Tbilisi |
Barcelona |
Sevilla |
[423] |
UEFA Champions League Final
| Edition | Player(s) | For | Against | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Rome[bd] |
Lionel Messi |
Barcelona |
Manchester United |
[424] |
| Xavi |
Barcelona |
Manchester United |
[425] | |
| 2011 London[be] |
Lionel Messi |
Barcelona |
Manchester United |
[426] |
| Barcelona |
Manchester United |
[427] |
National competitions
Copa del Rey Final (Spain)
Trophée des Champions (France)
| Edition | Player | For | Against | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Lionel Messi |
Paris Saint-Germain |
Nantes |
[431] |
MLS Cup Final (United States)
| Edition | Player | For | Against | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lionel Messi |
Inter Miami |
Vancouver Whitecaps |
[432] |
Selections for sports personality
International
Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year
The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual award ceremony honouring remarkable individuals from the world of sports along with the greatest sporting achievements throughout the year.[433] Messi is the athlete that received the most nominations overall (8—tied with Tiger Woods). In 2020, Messi became the first footballer to win the award,[434] and in 2023 received it for the second time.
Other
- Marca Leyenda: 2009[435]
- L'Équipe Champion of Champions (Best male international athlete of the year): 2011,[436] 2022[437]
- Diario AS Ace of Sport: 2019[438]
- Time Athlete of the Year: 2023[439][440]
- BBC World Sport Star of the Year: 2022[441]
- Gazzetta Sports Best Sportsman of the Year: 2011
- AIPS Best Male Athlete of the Year: 2019,[442] 2022[443]
- ESPY Best International Athlete of the Year: 2012, 2015[444]
- ESPY Best Championship Performance of the Year: 2023[445]
- Premios Juventud Most Electrifying Athlete of the Year: 2014[446]
- Prensa Latina Best Latin American and Caribbean Athlete of the Year : 2011,[447] 2014,[448] 2022[449][450]
- Sports Illustrated Latino Sportsman of the Year: 2007[451]
- The Sporting News Athlete of the Year: 2022[452]
- The Sporting News Greatest Athlete since 2000: 2025[453]
- Le Journal de Québec Greatest Athlete since 2000: 2025[454][455]
- ESPN Top 100 Greatest Athlete of the 21st Century: 2024, Third place[456]
- Nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year: 2006[457]
- Nominated for the Eurosport World Star of the Year: 2015[bf]
- Nominated for the Eurosport Emotional Moment of the Year: 2016[bg]
- Nominated for the People's Choice Awards Athlete of the Year: 2024[460]
- Nominated for the Teen Choice Awards Male Athlete of the Year: 2019[461][462]
- Nominated for the Kids' Choice Awards Best Male Athlete/Favorite Male Sport Star of the Year: 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Nominated for the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year: 2019,[bh][463] 2023[bi][464][465]
- Nominated for the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Decade (2010s): 2019[h][466]
- Nominated for the Sky Sports Athlete of the Decade (2010s): 2019[h][467]
National
Argentina
- Olimpia de Oro Argentine Sportsperson of the Year: 2011, 2021, 2022, 2023[257]
- Diamond Konex Award Argentine Athlete of the Decade (2011–2020): 2020[259]
- Kids' Choice Awards Argentina Favorite Athlete of the Year: 2011,2013
Spain
United States
- Hickok Belt Award Professional Athlete of the Month: December 2022[471][472]
- Most Popular Athlete in the US by SSRS: 2024[473][474]
Other
- Time 100 Most Influential People in the World : 2011, 2012, 2023[bj][475]
- Time 100 Most Influential People in Sports: 2026[476]
- Creu de Sant Jordi: 2019[477][478]
- Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2025[479][480]
- Key to the City of Miami: 2025[481]
- Princess of Asturias Award for Sports: 2026[482]
- Rosario City Tricentennial Medal: 2026[483]
- International Values Award (Humanitarian work) by Sport: 2020[484][485]
- Champions for Peace Award by Peace and Sport: 2020[486]
- UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador (since 2010): 2010[487]
Records
World records
Titles and awards
- Most FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d'Or/The Best FIFA Men's Player awards: 8 (2009–2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023)[488][489]
- Most Ballons d'Or awards (Guinness World Record): 8 (2009–2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)[490][491]
- Most The Best FIFA Men's Player awards: 3 (2019, 2022, 2023)[492]
- Only player to have won more than one FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2 (2014 and 2022)[493]
- Only player to have won more than one FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2 (2009 and 2011)[494]
- Only footballer to have won at the Laureus World Sports Awards: 2 (2020, 2023)
- First ever athlete to win the Laureus Sportsman of the Year and Laureus Team of the Year in the same year: 2023
- Most (recorded) Man of the Match awards won in football history: +450[495][496]
- Most Man of the Match awards won in major international tournaments: 31 (16 in FIFA World Cup, 15 in Copa América)[497]
- Most Man of the Match awards won at the FIFA World Cup (Guinness World Record): 16 (1 in 2010, 4 in 2014, 1 in 2018, 5 in 2022, 5 in 2026)[497][498]
- Most Man of the Match awards won in a single FIFA World Cup: 5 in 2022, 5 in 2026
- Most Man of the Match awards won at the FIFA Club World Cup finals: 2[bk] (2009 and 2011)[494]
- Only player to have won Man of the Match award in all rounds at the FIFA World Cup tournaments (group stage, round 32, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, final): 2006–2026[497]
- First player to have won more than one Most Valuable Player award at the FIFA Club World Cup finals: 2 (2009 and 2011)[494]
- Most FIFA World Cup match victories: 23[497][499]
- Most Goal Best Player of the Year awards: 7 (2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23)
- Most Marca Best Player of the Year awards: 3 (2017–2019)
- Most The Guardian Best Footballer of the Year wins: 6 (2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022)
- Most FourFourTwo (FFT) Best Footballer of the Year wins: 8 (2009–2012, 2015, 2017–2019)
- Most ESPN Best Forward of the Year wins: 8 (2014–2021)
- Most World Soccer Men's World Player of the Year wins: 6 (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022)
- Most World Soccer Young Player of the Year wins: 3 (2006–2008)
- Most IFFHS World's Best Playmaker awards: 5 (2015–2017, 2019, 2022)
- Most IFFHS World's Best Top Division Goal Scorer awards: 4 (2012, 2013, 2017, 2018)
- Most appearances in the IFFHS Men's World Team: 7 (2017–2023)
- Most appearances in the FIFPRO World 11: 17 (2007–2023)[336][337]
- Most appearances in the FIFA/EA Sports FC Team of the Year: 16 (2008–2023)[372][373][374]
- Only player to win a 'Best Player/Golden Ball' award at all official tournaments participated in (FIFA U-20 World Cup, FIFA World Cup and Copa América)[500][501]
- Only player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year/FIFA Ballon d'Or/The Best FIFA Men's Player Award in three different decades: 2000s, 2010s, 2020s
- Only Player to win Ballons d'Or in four consecutive years: (2009–2012)[502]
- Only player to win the Ballon d'Or in three different decades: 2000s, 2010s, 2020s
- Largest gap between first and last Ballon d'Or awards: 14 years (2009–2023)
- Youngest two-time, three-time, four-time, five-time, six-time, seven-time and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner: aged 23, 24, 25, 28, 32, 34 and 36 years old[502]
- Oldest player to win FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: aged 35 years and 178 days, in 2022[503]
- Most nominations overall for the Laureus World Sports Awards: 8 (2010–2013, 2016, 2020, 2023, 2024)[bl]
- Most nominations overall for the FIFA Ballon d'Or Award: 6 (2010–2015)[af]
- Most nominations overall for The Best FIFA Men's Player: 9 (2016–2024)
- Most nominations overall for the FIFA Puskás Award: 7 (2010–2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Performances
- Most (official) non-penalty goals scored in football history: 805[504][505]
- Most (official) left foot goals scored in football history: 772
- Most (official) outside the box goals scored in football history: 108[506][507][bm]
- Most (official) assists provided in football history: 418[508]
- Most (official) goal contributions in football history: 1,337[509]
- Most (official) goals scored for a single club (Guinness World Record): 672, for Barcelona[510][511]
- Most (recorded) assists provided for a single club: 269, for Barcelona
- Most goals scored at major international tournaments: 35 (21 goals at FIFA World Cup, 14 goals at Copa América)[512]
- Most assists provided at major international tournaments: 30 (12 assists at FIFA World Cup, 18 assists at Copa América)[497]
- Most goal contributions at major international tournaments: 65 (21 goals and 10 assists at FIFA World Cup, 14 goals and 18 assists at Copa América)[513]
- Most goal contributions at international tournaments' knockout matches: 37[514]
- Most goals scored in a single domestic league: 474, in La Liga[515]
- Most assists provided in a single domestic league: 192, in La Liga
- Most goals scored in FIFA competitions: 33 (21 at FIFA World Cup, 6 at FIFA U-20 World Cup, 6 at FIFA Club World Cup)[516]
- Most goals scored at the FIFA World Cup group stage: 14 (1 in 2006, 4 in 2014, 1 in 2018, 2 in 2022, 6 in 2026)[bn]
- Most direct free kick goals scored at the FIFA World Cup: 2[519][bo]
- Most outside the box goals scored at the FIFA World Cup: 6[497][bp]
- Most assists provided at the FIFA World Cup: 12 (1 in 2006, 1 in 2010, 1 in 2014, 2 in 2018, 3 in 2022, 4 in 2026)[520][521][522]
- Most assists provided in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage: 10 (1 in 2010, 1 in 2014, 2 in 2018, 2 in 2022, 4 in 2026)[523][524]
- Most goal contributions at the FIFA World Cup: 33[497]
- Most goals scored in the FIFA Club World Cup finals: 4[af] (1 in 2009, 2 in 2011, 1 in 2015)
- Most goal contributions in finals: 52 (35 goals and 17 assists)[525]
- Most assists provided in all national team competitions, including friendlies: 65[526][527]
- Most hat-tricks scored in all national team competitions: 11
- Most (official) goals scored for club and country in a calendar year (Guinness World Record): 91 in 2012[528][529]
- Most goals scored for club and country in a calendar year (including club friendlies): 96 in 2012
- Most goals scored in all club competitions in a calendar year: 79 in 2012[530][531][bq]
- Most goals scored in all club competitions in a season: 73 in 2011–12[532][br]
- Most assists provided in a domestic league in a season: 21 in 2019–20[bs]
- Only player to score 30+ goals in 13 consecutive seasons[533]
- Only player to score 40+ goals in 12 consecutive seasons[534]
- Only player to score 60+ goals in all competitions in 2 consecutive seasons: 2011–12 and 2012–13[535]
- Only player to score and assist in six different club competitions in a calendar year: 2011
- Longest goalscoring run in a domestic league: 21 matches, 33 goals in 2012–13[536]
- First player to score consecutively against all teams in a professional league: 2012–13[537]
- First player to score in all five rounds of a FIFA World Cup (group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, final): 2022[503]
- First player to score in all six rounds at the FIFA World Cup tournaments (group stage, round 32, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, final): 2006–2026[497]
- Most FIFA World Cup tournaments assisted in (Guinness World Record): 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)[538]
- Most consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments assisted in: 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)[538]
- Most FIFA World Cup matches scored in: 16[497]
- Most consecutive FIFA World Cup matches scored in: 9 (4 in 2022, 5 in 2026)[497][539]
- Most consecutive FIFA World Cup knockout stage matches scored in: 6 (4 in 2022, 2 in 2026)[540]
- Most consecutive FIFA World Cup matches scored or assisted in: 11 (4 in 2022, 7 in 2026)[541]
- Most total dribbles completed at the FIFA World Cup: 140[542]
- Most FIFA World Cup tournaments played in (Guinness World Record): 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)[543][bt]
- Most appearances at the FIFA World Cup final (Guinness World Record): 3 (2014, 2022, 2026)[544][bu]
- Most appearances at the FIFA World Cup matches: 34 (3 in 2006, 5 in 2010, 7 in 2014, 4 in 2018, 7 in 2022, 8 in 2026)[545][497][546]
- Most appearances at the FIFA World Cup matches as captain (Guinness World Record): 27 (1 in 2010, 7 in 2014, 4 in 2018, 7 in 2022, 8 in 2026)[497][547]
- Most minutes played at the FIFA World Cup: 3,053[548]
- Only player to score in his teens, his twenties and his thirties in the history of the FIFA World Cup[549]
- Only player to provide at least one assist in five and six different FIFA World Cup tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018,2022 and 2026[550][551]
- Only player to score in three different FIFA Club World Cup final matches: 2009, 2011 and 2015
- Youngest player to score a goal and assist in a single FIFA World Cup match: aged 18 years and 357 days, against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006[497]
- Oldest player to score a goal and assist in a single FIFA World Cup match: aged 39 years and 13 days, against Egypt in 2026[552]
- Oldest player to score a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup (Guinness World Record): aged 38 years and 357 days, against Algeria in 2026[553][497]
Europe records
Titles and awards
- Most European Golden Shoe awards (Guinness World Record): 6 (2010, 2012, 2013, 2017–2019)[554]
- Most UEFA/UEFA.com Goal of the Season awards: 4 (2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19, 2022–23)
- Most Man of the Match awards won in UEFA Champions League history: 67[555]
- Most Onze d'Or awards: 4 (2009, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2017–18)
- Most appearances in the ESM Team of the Season: 15 (2006, 2008–2013, 2015–2021, 2023)
- Most appearances in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 7 (2015–2021)
- Only Player to win European Golden Shoe award in three consecutive years: (2017–2019)
- First player to win the UEFA/UEFA.com Goal of the Season award for two consecutive seasons: (2014–15 and 2015–16)
- Most nominations overall for the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 12 (2010–11 to 2020–21, 2022–23)
- Most nominations overall for the UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season: 5 (2016–17 to 2020–21)
Performances
- Most goals scored in all club competitions in Europe: 704,[bv] in Spain (672) and France (32)
- Most goals in the UEFA Super Cup: 3[556][bw]
- Most goals scored in Europe's top 5 leagues: 496, in La Liga (474) and Ligue 1 (22)
- Most goals scored for a single club in the UEFA Champions League: 120 for Barcelona
- Most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League group stage: 80
- Most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League round of 16: 29[557]
- Most goals scored in a UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie: 6, against Bayer Leverkusen in 2011–12[557]
- Most hat-tricks scored in the UEFA Champions League (Guinness World Record): 8[558][559][af]
- Most goals scored in all club competitions in a calendar year in Europe: 79 in 2012[530][bx]
- Most goals scored in all club competitions in a season in Europe: 73 in 2011–12[560][497][by]
- Most goals scored in a league in a calendar year across Europe's top 5 leagues: 59 goals in 2012[497]
- Most goals scored in a league season across Europe's top 5 leagues: 50 in 2011–12[497]
- Most assists provided in a league season across Europe's top 5 leagues: 21 assists in 2019–20[497][bz]
- First player to score more than one hat-trick in a UEFA Champions League season (Guinness World Record): 2, against Viktoria Plzeň on 1 November 2011 and Bayer Leverkusen on 7 March 2012[561]
- Most goals scored in a European Cup/UEFA Champions League match (Guinness World Record): 5, against Bayer Leverkusen on 7 March 2012[562][563][564][ca]
- Most goals scored in a European Cup/UEFA Champions League quarter-final match: 4, against Arsenal on 6 April 2010[565][cb]
- Most dribbles completed in a UEFA Champions League match: 16, against Manchester United on 29 April 2008[566][567][cc]
- Most consecutive UEFA Champions League seasons scored in (Guinness World Record): 18 (2005–06 to 2022–23)[568][cd]
- First player to score in 15 and 16 consecutive seasons of the UEFA Champions League[569]
- Fastest player ever to reach 300 goals in Europe's top 5 leagues: in 334 matches
- Fastest player ever to reach 400 goals in Europe's top 5 leagues: in 435 matches
- Fastest player to reach 100 UEFA Champions League goals: in 123 matches
- Youngest player to make 100 appearances in the UEFA Champions League: aged 28 years, 84 days[570]
- Youngest player to score 50 goals in the UEFA Champions League (Guinness World Record): aged 24 years, 285 days[571][572]
- Youngest player ever to score 400+ goals for a single European club: aged 27 years and 300 days, for Barcelona
Americas records
Titles and awards
- Most Copa América Best Player awards: 2 (2015 and 2021)
- Most appearances in the Copa América Team of the Tournament: 6 (2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2024)
- Most Copa América match victories: 25[573]
- Most Man of the Match awards won in Copa América matches: 15 (2 in 2011, 4 in 2015, 3 in 2016, 1 in 2019, 4 in 2021, 1 in 2024)
- Most man of the match awards won in a single Copa América tournament: 4 (2015, 2021)
- Most IFFHS Best Player of CONMEBOL: 3 (2020, 2021,2022)
- Most appearances in the IFFHS Men's CONMEBOL Team: 6 (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Performances
- Most international caps by a male CONMEBOL player: 207[574]
- Most international goals scored by a male CONMEBOL player: 125[575]
- Most international assists provided by a male CONMEBOL player (World Record): 65[576][577]
- Most goals scored in the FIFA World Cup qualification – CONMEBOL: 36[578]
- Most hat-tricks scored in the FIFA World Cup qualification – CONMEBOL: 3[579]
- Most assists provided in the Copa América: 18 (1 in 2007, 3 in 2011, 3 in 2015, 4 in 2016, 1 in 2019, 5 in 2021, 1 in 2024)[580]
- Most direct free kick goals scored in the Copa América: 4[497]
- Most Copa América tournaments scored in: 6 (2007, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024)[ce][581]
- Most goals scored by a substitute in a Copa América match (Guinness World Record): 3, against Panama on 10 June 2016[582][cf]
- Only player to provide at least one assist in five, six and seven different Copa América tournaments: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024
- Most appearances at the Copa América: 39[583]
- Most appearances at the Copa América finals: 5 (2007, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2024)[584]
- Most appearances at the FIFA World Cup qualification – CONMEBOL: 72[cg][585]
- Most stadiums scored at in the FIFA World Cup qualification – CONMEBOL: 14[586][587]
- Most goals scored in a single Leagues Cup competition: 10 in 2023[588]
- Most goal contributions in a single Leagues Cup competition: 11 in 2023[589]
National records
Argentina
Titles and awards
- Most Olimpia de Oro (Argentine Sportsperson of the Year) awards: 4 (2011, 2021–2023)
- Most Olimpia de Plata (Argentine Footballer of the Year) awards: 16 (2005, 2007–2013, 2015–2017, 2019–2023)
- Only player to have won more than one Platinum Konex (Argentine Footballer of the Decade) awards: 2 (2010s and 2020s)
Performances
- Argentina all-time most capped player (CONMEBOL Record): 207 caps[590]
- Argentina all-time top goalscorer (CONMEBOL Record): 125 [591][592][593][594][595]
- Argentina all-time top assist provider (World Record): 65
- Argentina U20 all-time top goalscorer: 14
- Most goals scored in competitive matches for Argentina: 71
- Most goals scored in international friendlies for Argentina: 54
- Most goals scored in a calendar year for Argentina: 18 in 2022[596]
- Most goals scored in a single match for Argentina: 5, against Estonia on 5 June 2022[ch][597]
- Most direct free kick goals scored in all international competitions, including friendlies for Argentina: 12
- Most hat-tricks scored in all international competitions, including friendlies for Argentina (World Record): 11
- Most goals scored overall in FIFA World Cup matches for Argentina (CONMEBOL Record): 21 (1 in 2006, 4 in 2014, 1 in 2018, 7 in 2022, 8 in 2026)
- Most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup tournament for Argentina: 8 in 2026[ci][598]
- Most goals scored overall in FIFA World Cup qualification matches for Argentina (CONMEBOL Record): 36[524]
- Most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup qualification campaign for Argentina: 10 in 2014 qualification
- Most FIFA World Cup tournaments scored in for Argentina: 5 (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)[599]
- Most FIFA World Cup tournaments assisted in for Argentina (Guinness World Record): 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)[551]
- Most appearances in FIFA World Cup matches for Argentina (Guinness World Record): 34 (3 in 2006, 5 in 2010, 7 in 2014, 4 in 2018, 7 in 2022, 8 in 2026)[600]
- Most FIFA World Cup tournaments played in for Argentina (Guinness World Record): 6 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)[543]
- Most Copa América tournaments played in for Argentina: 7 (2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024)[601]
- Only Argentina player to score against every CONMEBOL nation[602]
- Youngest player to play for Argentina in a FIFA World Cup: aged 18 years and 357 days in 2006[603]
- Youngest player to score for Argentina in a FIFA World Cup: aged 18 years and 357 days, against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006[603]
- Youngest player to captain Argentina in a FIFA World Cup: aged 22 years and 363 days in 2010[604]
- Youngest player to reach 100 caps for Argentina: aged 27 years and 361 days in 2015[605]
- Oldest player to score for Argentina: aged 39 years and 13 days, against Egypt in 2026[606]
Spain
Titles and awards
- Most Supercopa de España titles won: 8[607] (all with Barcelona)
- Most La Liga titles won by a non-Spanish individual: 10[607] (all with Barcelona)
- Most Copa del Rey titles won: 7[cj][607] (all with Barcelona)
- Most Best Player/Most Valuable Player in La Liga awards: 9 (2009–2013, 2015, 2017-2019)
- Most Best Player in La Liga awards: 6 (2009–2013, 2015)[608]
- Most Best Forward in La Liga awards: 7 (2009–2013, 2015–2016)[608]
- Most Pichichi Trophies in La Liga awards (Guinness World Record): 8 (2010, 2012–2013, 2017–2021)[609][610]
- Most Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano in La Liga awards: 7 (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19)
- Most Trofeo EFE awards in Spanish football: 5 (2007, 2009–2012)
- Most Player of the Month awards in La Liga history: 8[ck] (January 2016, April 2017, April 2018, September 2018, March 2019, November 2019, February 2020, February 2021)
- Most Man of the Match awards won in La Liga history: 227[611]
- Most Man of the Match awards won in Copa del Rey finals: 3 (2015, 2017, 2021)
- Most La Liga match victories: 383[612][613][614]
Performances
- Most goals scored in all official club competitions in Spanish football: 672[615]
- Most goals scored in all club competitions including friendlies in Spanish football: 709[615]
- Most goals scored in Supercopa de España: 14[616][617][618]
- Most goals scored in La Liga (Guinness World Record): 474[619][620]
- Most assists provided in La Liga (Guinness World Record): 192[621][622][614][624]
- Most La Liga matches scored in: 300[625]
- Most goals scored in Supercopa de España finals: 7[626]
- Most Supercopa de España finals scored in: 7
- Most goals scored in Copa del Rey finals: 9[627]
- Most assists provided in Copa del Rey finals: 6 (1 in 2009, 2 in 2016, 1 in 2017, 2 in 2018)
- Most Copa del Rey finals scored in: 7 (2009, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)[628]
- Most braces scored in La Liga: 133[629]
- Most hat-tricks scored in La Liga (Guinness World Record): 36[630][631]
- Most goals scored from direct free kick in La Liga: 39[632]
- Most goals scored in all club competitions in a calendar year in Spanish football: 79 in 2012[530]
- Most goals scored in all club competitions in a season in Spanish football: 73 in 2011–12[560]
- Most goals scored in La Liga in a calendar year: 59 in 2012[497]
- Most goals scored in a La Liga season (Guinness World Record): 50 in 2011–12[633]
- Most assists provided in a La Liga season (Guinness World Record): 21 in 2019–20[634][635][cl]
- Most hat-tricks scored in a La Liga season: 8 in 2011–12[617][af]
- Most teams scored against in a La Liga season: 19 in 2012–13[636][cm]
- Most home goals in a La Liga season (38 matches, 19 home matches): 35 in 2011–12[637]
- Most away goals in a La Liga season (38 matches, 19 away matches): 24 in 2012–13[638]
- Most matches scored in a La Liga season (38 games): 27 in 2012–13[639]
- Most home matches scored in a La Liga season (38 games): 16 in 2011–12[637]
- Most away matches scored in a La Liga season (38 games): 15 in 2012–13[640]
- Most different opponents scored against in La Liga history: 38[641]
- Most stadiums scored at in La Liga history: 38[642]
- Most consecutive Supercopa de España finals scored in: 4[cn] (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
- Most consecutive La Liga match scored in (Guinness World Record): 21 (33 goals, from matchday 11 to matchday 34, season 2012–13)[643]
- Most consecutive away La Liga matches scored in: 13 (20 goals from matchday 8 to matchday 33 in 2012–13)[640]
- Most appearances in Supercopa de España: 20
- Most appearances in La Liga by a foreign player (Guinness World Record): 520[644]
- Most appearances in Copa del Rey finals: 10[co] (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
- Most dribbles completed in a La Liga match: 15, against Real Betis on 4 November 2007[645]
- Most dribbles completed in a Copa del Rey match: 23, against Villarreal on 31 January 2008[646]
- Only player to be top goalscorer and top assist provider in the same La Liga season: 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2019–20[cp]
- Only player to score consecutively against all opposition teams in La Liga: 19 matches, 30 goals in 2012–13[647]
- Only player to score 20+ goals in 10, 11, 12 and 13 consecutive La Liga seasons (Guinness World Record)[648][649][650][651]
- Only player to score 30+ goals in 8 different La Liga seasons[652][653]
- Only player to score 10+ goals in 13, 14 and 15 consecutive La Liga seasons (from 2006–07 to 2020–21)[654][655]
- First player to score in 15, 16 and 17 consecutive La Liga seasons[656][657]
- First player to reach 300 La Liga goals[658]
- First player to reach 350 La Liga goals[659]
- First player to reach 400 La Liga goals[660]
- First player to reach 450 La Liga goals[661]
- First player to reach 150 La Liga assists[622]
- Youngest player to score 200 goals in La Liga: aged 25 years and 7 months[662]
France
Performances
United States
Titles and awards
Performances
- Most goals in a calendar year across all club competitions: 43 in 2025[667]
- Most multi-goal games in a single MLS season: 10 in 2025[668]
- Most goal contributions in a single MLS Cup playoff campaign: 15 (6 goals and 9 assists) in 2025[669]
- Most assists in a single MLS Cup playoff campaign: 9 in 2025[670]
- Most assists in a single MLS match (Guinness World Record): 5, against New York Red Bulls on 4 May 2024[671][672]
- Most goal contributions in a single MLS match: 6, against New York Red Bulls on 4 May 2024[672]
- First player to score a brace in four and five consecutive MLS games: 2025[673]
- Fastest player to reach 100 goal contributions in MLS history: 64 games (59 goals and 41 assists)[674]
Club records
Barcelona
Titles and awards
Performances
- Most goals scored in all official competitions for Barcelona: 672[679][680][681]
- Most assists provided in all official competitions for Barcelona: 269[682]
- Most goals scored in all competitions including friendlies for Barcelona: 709[679][680]
- Most goals scored in international competitions for Barcelona: 128[679][680]
- Most goals scored in European competitions for Barcelona: 123[679][680]
- Most goals scored in the FIFA Club World Cup for Barcelona: 5[av]
- Most goals scored in the UEFA Super Cup for Barcelona: 3
- Most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League for Barcelona: 120[679][680]
- Most goals scored in Supercopa de España for Barcelona: 14[679]
- Most goals scored in La Liga for Barcelona: 474[679][680]
- Most goals scored in El Clásico for Barcelona: 26[683][cs]
- Most assists provided in El Clásico for Barcelona: 14[684]
- Most goals scored in the Derbi barceloní for Barcelona: 25[685][686]
- Most goals scored in the Athletic–Barcelona clásico for Barcelona: 29[687]
- Most hat-tricks scored in all competitions for Barcelona: 48[679]
- Most goals scored from direct free kick in official competitions for Barcelona: 50[688][689]
- Most home goals scored in a single season in all competitions for Barcelona: 46 in 2011–12[618]
- Most appearances in official competitions for Barcelona: 778[690]
- Most appearances in La Liga for Barcelona: 520[691]
- Most appearances in Copa del Rey for Barcelona: 80[692]
- First Barca player to be top goalscorer in four, five, six, seven and eight La Liga seasons (2009–10, 2011–13, 2016–21)[679]
Inter Miami
Titles and awards
- Most Inter Miami CF MVP awards: 3 (2023, 2024, 2025)[693][694][273]
Performances
- Most goals scored in all official competitions for Inter Miami: 90[695]
- Most assists provided in all official competitions for Inter Miami: 50[696]
- Most goal contributions in all official competitions for Inter Miami: 140[696]
- Most goals scored in a regular MLS season for Inter Miami: 29 in 2025[697]
- Most assists provided in a regular MLS season for Inter Miami: 16 in 2025
- Most goal contributions in a regular MLS season for Inter Miami: 45 in 2025
- Most goals scored in a single match for Inter Miami: 3[ct][697]
- Most assists provided in a single match for Inter Miami: 5[697]
- Most goal contributions in a single match for Inter Miami: 6[697]
Other records
- Most MVP awards in Joan Gamper Trophy: 4 (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018)
- Most goals scored in Joan Gamper Trophy: 9 (2 in 2011, 1 in 2013, 1 in 2014, 1 in 2015, 2 in 2016, 1 in 2017, 1 in 2018)[698]
See also
Footnotes
- 20th place
- 5th place
- As per the Rules of Allocation (art. 12), Lionel Messi (Argentina) won the Award on the basis of the votes cast by the men's national-team captains.
- 6th place
- Based on the IFFHS overall performance index, first introduced in 2026.
- 2nd place
- 3rd place
- 4th place
- 10th place
- 26th place
- 24th place
- 49th place
- 27th place
- 34th place
- 44th place
- 50th place
- 7th place
- 8th place
- Messi received 24 percent (%) of the votes cast, finishing second in the voting after Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Messi received 759 points of the votes cast, finishing second in the voting after Ronaldinho.
- 14th place
- Messi received 39 percent (%) of the total votes cast in 2025, finishing second in the voting after Giorgian de Arrascaeta.[213]
- Messi received 23.5 percent (%) of the total votes cast, finishing second in the voting after Zinedine Zidane.
- Messi received 27.28 percent (%) of the total votes cast, finishing second in the voting after Giorgos Giakoumakis.[251]
- Messi also finished 2014 FIFA World Cup as the tournament's third-highest goalscorer with 4 goals and 1 assist, but Neymar with same stats (4 goals and 1 assist) received the Bronze Boot for playing fewer minutes than Messi.[282]
- Shared with Cesc Fàbregas.
- Shared with eight other players.
- Shared with Luís Fabiano.
- Shared with four other players.
- Shared with Wissam Ben Yedder.
- Shared with Neymar and Ivan Rakitić.
- Shared with four other players.
- Messi received 22.5 percent (%) of the total votes cast, finishing second in the voting after Son Heung-min.[325]
- Shared with fifteen other players.
- Shared with four other players.
- Shared with Jorge Valdivia.
- Shared with four other players.
- Shared with Karim Benzema and Pepe.
- Shared with Luis Muriel.
- Shared with Pablo Fornals and Luis Suárez.
- Shared with Pablo Hernández.
- Shared with Chory Castro.
- Shared with Anders Dreyer.
- Includes Best club XI and Best international XI.
- As the 12th player.
- First introduced in 2026.
- In 2011 UEFA awarded two Man of the Match awards. Messi was named as UEFA's and Fan's Man of the Match.
- Messi received 17.9 percent (%) of the total votes cast, finishing second in the voting after Novak Djokovic.[458]
- 12th place
- Messi and Novak Djokovic each received 16 votes out of 87 AP sports editors votes cast, finishing second in the voting after Shohei Ohtani.
- LeBron James is the only athlete listed four times, and Messi is the only football player listed three times in the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World (in 2011, 2012 and 2023). Messi was also finalist in 2016, 2021 and 2022. Simone Biles, Patrick Mahomes, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and Tiger Woods are the other athletes listed three times in Time 100.
- Shared with Cristiano Ronaldo and Vinícius Júnior
- Shared with Tiger Woods.
- Excluding direct free kick goals.
- Among FIFA World Cup top goalscorers who have scored at least 14 overall goals, Miroslav Klose ranks second behind Messi in group stage goals, with 11 of his overall goals coming in the group stage.[517][518]
- Shared with Rivellino, Bernard Genghini and David Beckham.
- Including direct free kick goals.
- At top-level football, excluding regional and local competitions.
- At top-level football, excluding regional and local competitions.
- Shared with Cristiano Ronaldo
- At top-level football, excluding regional and local competitions.
- Shared with seven other players.
- At top-level football, excluding regional and local competitions.
- At top-level football, excluding regional and local competitions.
- Shared with Thomas Müller, Bruno Fernandes and Míchel
- Shared with Erling Haaland and Luiz Adriano.
- Shared with Sándor Kocsis and Alfredo Di Stéfano.
- Shared with Neymar and Javier Zanetti.
- Shared with Karim Benzema.
- Shared with Paulo Valentim.
- Shared with Iván Hurtado.
- Shared with Juan Marvezzi.
- Shared with Guillermo Stábile.
- Shared with José Maria Belauste, Piru Gaínza, Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquets
- Shared with Antoine Griezmann
- Shared with Ronaldo Nazário and Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Shared with Sergio Busquets
- Along with Luis Suárez.
- Shared with Jason Kreis and Carlos Vela.
- Does not include a goal scored in the 2017 International Champions Cup.
- Shared with Leonardo Campana, Gonzalo Higuaín, Luis Suárez and Tadeo Allende.