Leonel Messi is a man who has written many records both at the club and national team levels after guiding Albiceleste to their third World Cup glory.
The diminutive number 10 was on Monday announced the winner of BBC's World Sports Star of the Year-a day after captaining Argentina to victory against France in Qatar.
According to the BBC, Messi became just the fifth footballer to receive the award, which was introduced in 1960 under its previous name of Overseas Sports Personality of the Year. Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore received the award in 2021.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese great Eusebio and Brazil's three-time World Cup winner Pele are among the recipients. Ronaldo was named the winner in 2002 after leading Brazil to World Cup glory that was co-hosted by Korea and Japan.
The Paris Saint Germain superstar was a fixture in Qatar as he scored seven goals including a brace in the final to finally lay his hands on the only coveted accolade that had evaded his trophy cabinet.
On Sunday after lifting the World Cup, the 35-year-old made history again by becoming the first player to win the World Cup Player of the Tournament Award twice. He first won it in 2014 despite Argentina losing 1-0 to Germany in the final at Brazil's Maracana Stadium.
Remarkably, the BBC award was Messi's first in his legendary career, which has already seen the Argentine win seven Ballon d'Or titles and score 793 goals.
The star had already lifted the Copa America with Argentina, as well as earning four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona. Messi also claimed the Ligue 1 title last season.
At the age of four, he joined the local club Grandoli, where he was coached by his father, though his earliest influence as a player came from his maternal grandmother, Celia, who accompanied him to training and matches.
At 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency which was stopping his normal growth rate. Messi’s first contract with Barcelona was detailed on a paper napkin.
He spent 20 years at Barcelona, becoming the record appearance holder and top scorer after finding the back of the net 672 times in 778 appearances.
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