Following his triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, Lionel Messi celebrated lifting one of the few trophies that had previously eluded him in his illustrious career.
At the club level, the prolific forward consistently adds titles to his collection, having clinched four UEFA Champions League crowns with Barcelona.
However, until just a few years ago, Messi’s international record painted a less rosy picture, marked by several final losses with Argentina.
With his recent success, the iconic No.10 appears to be concluding his global career with resounding success, nearing completion of the trophy haul in modern football.
Who is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi, an Argentine footballer, has had stints with FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and currently, the MLS outfit Inter Miami CF, in addition to representing the Argentina national team. As a young teenager, Messi relocated from Argentina to Spain after FC Barcelona agreed to cover the expenses for medical treatment related to his growth hormone deficiency. During his tenure at the club, he emerged as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, contributing significantly to FC Barcelona’s success, which includes over two dozen league titles and tournaments. In 2012, he set a remarkable record for the most goals scored in a calendar year and, a decade later, played a pivotal role in Argentina’s triumph in the FIFA World Cup, their third overall. The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient made a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, before joining Inter Miami in July 2023.
How Many Cups Does Messi Have?
Lionel Messi trophies with Inter Miami
Upon his arrival in the United States, Lionel Messi made an immediate impact with Inter Miami, propelling the South Florida team to their inaugural club trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup. His transformative effect was remarkable, taking the team from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to newfound success.
Messi’s journey with Inter Miami continues as they prepare to compete in the U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo. However, for a shot at the MLS title, he must guide the club to higher ranks in the league standings and secure a spot in the playoffs.
| Competition | Title | Year |
| Leagues Cup | 1 | 2023 |
Lionel Messi trophies with PSG
During his brief stint with PSG spanning only two seasons, Lionel Messi managed to add three more trophies to his collection in France. Despite the success, PSG had high hopes that Messi would lead them to Champions League glory, a feat that remained elusive during his tenure with the club.
| Honor | Titles | Seasons |
| Ligue 1 (French league) | 2 | 2021/22, 2022/23 |
| Trophee des Champions (French Super Cup) | 1 | 2022 |
Lionel Messi trophies with Barcelona
From the start of his club career at Barcelona, Lionel Messi showcased his knack for clinching titles. His departure from Camp Nou in 2021 marked an astonishing tally of 34 team trophies with the Catalan club.
| Competition | Titles | Seasons |
| La Liga (Spanish league) | 10 | 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19 |
| Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) | 7 | 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2020/21 |
| Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup) | 7 | 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018 |
| UEFA Champions League | 4 | 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 3 | 2009, 2011, 2015 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 3 | 2009, 2011, 2015 |
Lionel Messi trophies with Argentina
Lionel Messi’s accolades with Argentina have rapidly accumulated in the last couple of years, culminating in the 2022 World Cup victory, which stands out as the pinnacle of his international achievements.
In 2021, Messi ended his senior international trophy drought by clinching the Copa America final on his fourth attempt, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Before that, Messi had already tasted success with Argentina’s U20 and Olympic teams more than a decade ago.
| Competition | Title | Year |
| FIFA World Cup | 1 | 2022 |
| Finalissima (UEFA-CONMEBOL trophy) | 1 | 2022 |
| Copa America (South American title) | 1 | 2021 |
| Olympic gold medal | 1 | 2008 |
| FIFA Under-20 World Cup | 1 | 2005 |
Lionel Messi individual awards
Messi’s staggering collection of team trophies owes much to his individual brilliance. For over 15 years, his mesmerizing talent in the attacking third has captivated the world, earning him numerous individual accolades. Among them, his record-breaking seven Ballon d’Or wins stand as a testament to his unparalleled skill, leaving archrival Cristiano Ronaldo trailing with five.
| Award | Titles | Year/Season |
| Ballon d’Or (World Player of the Year) | 7 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 |
| FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (Best player of tournament) | 2 | 2014, 2022 |
| Argentina Player of the Year | 14 | 2005, 2007-2013, 2015-2017, 2019-2021 |
| La Liga Player of the Year | 6 | 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15 |
| La Liga top scorer (Pichichi trophy) | 8 | 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 |
| European Golden Boot (Top scorer across Europe) | 6 | 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 |
| FIFA World Player of the Year (Awarded from 1991-2015) | 1 | 2009 |
| FIFA The Best Award (Player of the Year est. 2015) | 2 | 2019, 2022 |
| FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball | 2 | 2009, 2011 |
Quotes from Lionel Messi
- Every time I start a year, I start with the objective of trying to achieve everything, without comparing it to how I’ve done in other seasons.
- Whether it’s a friendly match, or for points, or a final, or any game—I play the same. I’m always trying to be my best, first for my team, for myself, for the fans and to try and win.
- I am competitive, and I feel bad when we lose. You can see it in me when we’ve lost. I’m in a bad way. I don’t like to talk to anyone.
- I made sacrifices by leaving Argentina, leaving my family to start a new life. I changed my friends, my people. Everything. But everything I did, I did for football, to achieve my dream.
- I have fun like a child in the street. When the day comes when I’m not enjoying it, I will leave football.
- I’ve never stopped being Argentine, and I’ve never wanted to. I feel very proud of being Argentine, even though I left there. I’ve been clear about this since I was very young, and I never wanted to change.
- Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win. I’ve always had this ability to get up and get on with it.
- I wasn’t teased as a child for my size. In fact, I think I had more affection because I was small.
- I am lucky, I live by my passion, and there are a lot of people who work, doing what they don’t like and are badly paid for that.