LIONEL MESSI AND FC BARCELONA

Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age for his hometown club, Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as his parents were unable to pay for treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain. Shortly after arriving, Lionel tried his luck with a trial at FC Barcelona, despite being only 13 years of age. He excelled at the trial and rapidly found himself starting for the Barcelona B team, averaging more than a goal per game.

In October 2004 Messi made his official debut for the first team against RCD Espanyol, becoming the third-youngest player to ever play for FC Barcelona. He scored his first senior goal for the club against Albacete on 2005-05-01.

On 2005-06-27 FC Barcelona renewed his contract until 2010, establishing a selling clause of €150 million.

Messi obtained Spanish citizenship on September 25 and was finally able to make his debut in this season's Spanish First Division. He had previously been unable to play because FC Barcelona had filled their quota of non-EU players. Messi's first outing in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp was on September 28 against the Italian club Udinese. He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful.

LIONEL MESSI AND ARGENTINA

Lionel Messi was offered the chance to play for the Spanish national football team, but declined, preferring to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in an under-20 friendly match against Paraguay.

In June 2005 Messi starred for the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship in The Netherlands, picking up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel was already being compared to Diego Maradona, one of the greatest football players of all time.

On August 4, José Pekerman called him up to the senior Argentine national team. He made his debut against Hungary — coincientally the very same side that Maradona debuted against for Argentina. However, he only played for three minutes of the game, being shown a red card and making him leave the field in his first attempt on goal.

Lionel Messi Ad Stars

Lionel Messi Ad Stars

Lionel Messi proud of what he achieve

Lionel Messi awarded the best

At once to get two degrees, namely: the best and top scorer

Lionel Messi new Adidas F50i

With the extremely smooth external skin of the boot, I can play to my full potential. It allows me to make the perfect contact with the ball. It is also a fantastic colour.

Messi will be the first player to officially début the F50i football boots in an official game. He’ll be followed by a host of internationals when they feature in World Cup qualifying matches on June 6th.

Messi has also been filmed for Adidas alongside Adidas ambassador Zinedine Zidane to support the campaign.

Here’s the advert, followed by an exclusive behind the scenes film.

Lionel Messi new Adidas F50i

As if pairing Manchester United and Barcelona together to slug out the world’s biggest club football tournament wasn’t enough, it’s now officially confirmed that Lionel Messi will also be showcasing a new pair of F50i football boots to top things off.

Since we revealed months ago that the F50i was hitting the shelves this summer and following our article on the tease images being stuck on posters around London, the clued up ones amongst you (that accounts for all the Footy Boots visitors) probably guessed that Messi would be showcasing the new F50i football boots in the final.

Yes that's Sally but who is she with?

Matilda's stars Sally Shipard Lauren Colthorpe met up with Argentinian stars Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Javier Saviola (Real Madrid) Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona) in Hong Kong Airport on Thursday.

The Aussies were en route to the World Cup in China. (Aussie's first game is Wed 7pm SBS) The Argentinians were heading to Melbourne for Tuesday's game against the Socceroos.

adidas and Lionel Messi present the new F50.9

Speed, skill and flair are what's needed to keep up with the adidas F50.9 football boots, all of which Barcelona star Lionel Messi has in abundance! To honour their Argentine star adidas have created a unique design for F50.9 football boots to be released in January.

Worn by Barcelona and Argentina star player Lionel Messi

Worn by Barcelona and Argentina star player Lionel Messi, the design of the adidas F30 football boots is inspired by the adidas F50 football boots range. Incorporating innovative adidas technology the F30 football boots are a cheaper alternative to the F50 series.