![CONMEBOL Copa América™](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.copaamerica.com%2FAlexis-Sanchez_Web-03.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
On June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, a little boy named Lionel was born. As he grew older, he seemed shy, quiet, but very passionate and attached to the football. No one expected, or even imagined that, some years later, this boy would become one of the best players in football history.
Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittin says his ID, but lovers of the king of sports know him as the 'Pulga' (flea in English), the best in history, and being at the same level than Pele and Maradona. Touched by the magic wand, he has an innate talent and a powerful left foot.
At the age of four, he was already displaying all his talent in the "rojinegro" sandlot. Newell's Olds Boys was his house, actually his home, and the place where he was given the chance to grow up with the football under his feet, despite always facing challenges.
In 2003, he made his debut in one of the most important clubs in the world. Lionel Messi had the opportunity to wear the Spanish team shirt. However, the love for his homeland was stronger and he dressed the Albiceleste shirt so as to be present in the oldest national team competition in the world.
Now that his life-story has been told, we'll share the best moments of the great Lionel Messi in the different editions of the CONMEBOL Copa America. Here you will see his best goals, his greatest plays and highlights. From the amazing goal made against Mexico in 2007 to his best feints and assists.
- Facts -
He participated in five editions of the CONMEBOL Copa America (in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2019), reaching the final in three of them. With a total of 27 matches, he is the tenth Argentine player with the most matches played in the championship. Messi has made a total of eight goals and eleven assists. In each game, the influence of the leader and captain of his team can be seen. In addition, he is the biggest scorer of the Argentine team, with 70 goals shot in 138 matches and he has more than 700 goals scored in his entire career.