Lionel Messi
Awards & Honours
274
Awards Won
9
Honours
8
Rankings
4
Covers
5
Records
Messi's eight Ballon d'Or awards stand as an unmatched individual achievement, reflecting two decades of sustained brilliance. He is the only male player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice, and his 91 goals in 2012 remain the most ever scored in a calendar year. His six European Golden Shoes and 35 trophies with Barcelona, including four Champions League titles, place him among the most decorated footballers in history. In 2026, he became the first footballer to appear on Forbes' World's Billionaires list, underscoring his global impact both on and off the pitch.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
Recognized for his World Cup success and overall excellence
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
First team-sport athlete to win this award
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Honored for his contributions to football in the US
Olympic Gold Medal
Led Argentina to victory in the men's football tournament
Creu de Sant Jordi
Highest civilian distinction awarded by Catalonia.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Appointed to advocate for children's rights.
Ballon d'Or Dream Team
Named to the all-time first team.
IFFHS All-time World Men's Dream Team
Selected as one of the best players of all time.
Key to the City of Miami
Honored for his impact on the city's sports scene.
Rankings & Lists
All Time Men's World Best Player
World's Highest-Paid Athlete
World's Highest-Paid Athlete
Best Player of the 21st Century
Best Player of the 21st Century
Best Player of All Time
Best Player of All Time
Best Player of the Decade (2010-2019)
Magazine Covers
Time
2023
Athlete of the Year
Time
2012
100 Most Influential People
Sports Illustrated
2022
World Cup Champion
Forbes
2019
World's Highest-Paid Athlete
Records & Feats
Most goals in a calendar year
Scored 91 goals for club and country in 2012
Most goals for a single club
Tallied 672 goals for Barcelona
Most Ballon d'Or awards won
Won eight Ballon d'Or awards, the most by any player in history.
Only male player to win World Cup Golden Ball twice
Won the Golden Ball as best player at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups.
First footballer to appear on Forbes World's Billionaires list
Reached a net worth of $1.1 billion in 2026, making him the first footballer on the list.