(Lionel Andrés Messi; Rosario, Santa Fe, June 24,1987) Argentine footballer. Possessor of an exceptional technical ability, a devilish speed and an inexhaustible inventiveness, since he arrived from the hand of his parents to the F.C. Barcelona

at the age of 13, made a dizzying career through the different categories until the first team, in which he debuted at just 16 years of age in a friendly match against Porto. In 2004, at the age of 17, Leo Messi played his first official match in the Spanish League. At the age of 18, he received his international recognition: he was part of the Argentine team, champion in the U-20 Youth World Cup in Holland, played in 2005.