Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi (
Lionel Messi); born 24 June 1987 is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for FC
Barcelona and the Argentina national team as a forward or winger.
Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, to parents Jorge Horacio
Messi, a factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner. His paternal family originates from the Italian city of Ancona, from which his ancestor, Angelo
Messi, emigrated to Argentina in 1883.He has two older brothers named Rodrigo and Matías as well as a sister named María Sol. At the age of five,
Messi started playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge. In 1995,
Messi switched to Newell's Old Boys who were based in his home city Rosario.
