Photos of Lionel Messi from every year of his historic career show his rise to soccer's highest throne

Meredith CashDec 20, 2022, 03:00 IST

Lionel Messi competing for Argentina in 2005 (left) and 2022.REUTERS/Michael Kooren; REUTERS/Carl Recine

Lionel Messi has been taking the soccer world by storm for two full decades, as the Argentine prodigy took his talents to Barcelona at the turn of the century and never looked back.
Through his time with European giants FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as his international career with Argentina, Messi earned nearly every trophy and individual accolade available at soccer's highest levels.
But the seven-time Ballon d'Or recipient struggled to capture his sport's most cherished prize — a World Cup — until his last appearance at soccer's greatest tournament.
Messi finally captured the trophy that had long eluded him with Argentina's thrilling victory over reigning champion France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

2003: At 16 years old, Messi made his debut for Barcelona during a friendly against Porto

Marcelo Boeri/El Grafico/Getty Images

2004: Though he was eligible to compete for Spain at the international level and drew interest from the Spanish Federation in his teens, Messi opted to play for Argentina as he'd always dreamed

REUTERS/Jose Miguel Gomez JMG

2004: Though he was eligible to compete for Spain at the international level and drew interest from the Spanish Federation in his teens, Messi opted to play for Argentina as he'd always dreamed

2004: After spending most of the year starting for Barca's B team, a 17-year-old Messi became the youngest player ever to represent the club in an official match

REUTERS/Alexander Khudotioply

2005: A year later, he earned his first call-up to the Argentina senior national team

REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh LB/CCK

2005: On his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona's senior team and later began earning regular starts for the club

REUTERS/Albert Gea

2006: He started getting more time with his national team, too, and scored his first World Cup goal in his debut World Cup appearance

Action Images / Lee Smith Livepic

2006: Though Barcelona began to struggle, Messi scored 17 goals in to help make the case that he was a bona fide star at just 19 years old

REUTERS/Dani Cardona

2007: He shined during La Albiceleste's run to the 2007 Copa América final, starting throughout the tournament and contributing two goals at just 20 years old

REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

2007: Spanish media christened Messi as the "Messiah" after he finished third in Ballon d'Or voting and second in the FIFA Player of the Year rankings at just 20 years old

REUTERS/Sergio Perez

2007: Spanish media christened Messi as the "Messiah" after he finished third in Ballon d'Or voting and second in the FIFA Player of the Year rankings at just 20 years old

2008: A 21-year-old Messi led Argentina to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was cited by FIFA as one of the standout players of the tournament

Action Images / Jason O'Brien

2008: After Ronaldinho's departure from Barcelona, Messi assumed his signature No. 10 jersey and once again finished top-3 in both Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year voting

REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

2008: After Ronaldinho's departure from Barcelona, Messi assumed his signature No. 10 jersey and once again finished top-3 in both Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year voting

2009: The following year, Messi took over the No. 10 jersey for his country after Argentinian great Riquelme retired from international play

REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian

2009: Messi won his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the former of which he won by a then-record margin of 240 points

REUTERS/Albert Gea

2010: Messi and Argentina struggled at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where La Albiceleste bowed out with a blowout loss to Germany in the quarterfinals

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

2010: Though Argentina made an early exit from the World Cup, Messi's goal-per-game pace with Barcelona was enough to retain the Ballon d'Or for a second consecutive year

REUTERS/Albert Gea

2010: Though Argentina made an early exit from the World Cup, Messi's goal-per-game pace with Barcelona was enough to retain the Ballon d'Or for a second consecutive year

2011: Argentina's struggles continued into the 2011 Copa América, where Messi and his teammates struggled to score and exited the tournament in the quarterfinals

REUTERS/Jorge Adorno

2011: Still, Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the third consecutive year thanks to 43 goals and 21 assists in 47 games for Barcelona

REUTERS/Sergio Perez

2012: Messi was named Argentina's captain and scored a record-tying 12 goals in nine games under new coach Alejandro Sabella

REUTERS/Eliseo Fernandez

2012: Messi was once again honored as the world's best footballer, becoming the first and only man ever to win the Ballon d'Or in four consecutive years

REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

2013: He continued his upward trajectory with Argentina as team's chemistry improved and La Albiceleste qualified for the 2014 World Cup

AP Photo/Andre Penner

2013: Messi wore the Barcelona captain's band for the first time in 2013, but injuries derailed his season and left him finishing behind Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d'Or voting

REUTERS/Pepe Marin

2013: Messi wore the Barcelona captain's band for the first time in 2013, but injuries derailed his season and left him finishing behind Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d'Or voting

2014: Messi earned the 2014 World Cup Golden Ball despite Argentina's 1-0 loss to Germany in the final.

REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

2014: Messi became La Liga's all-time leading scorer, breaking Telmo Zarra's 59-year record of 251 goals in Spain's top league

REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

2015: Argentina advanced to yet another final — this time the 2015 Copa América — but fell to the host nation, Chile, in penalty kicks

REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

2015: With 48 goals on the year, Messi led Barca to victories in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup en route to his then-record fifth Ballon d'Or

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

2015: With 48 goals on the year, Messi led Barca to victories in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup en route to his then-record fifth Ballon d'Or

2016: After once again losing in PKs against Chile during 2016's Copa América Centenario, a frustrated Messi announced his short-lived retirement from international play

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

2016: After once again losing in PKs against Chile during 2016's Copa América Centenario, a frustrated Messi announced his short-lived retirement from international play

2016: Messi scored 51 goals to become Europe's top scorer for the year, but placed second in Ballon d'Or voting behind Cristiano Ronaldo

AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

2017: He returned to the struggling national team and secured Argentina's World Cup bid with a hat trick against Ecuador

REUTERS/Henry Romero

2017: Messi enjoyed one of the most memorable moments of his career when he scored a stoppage-time game-winner in El Clásico — his 500th-career game-winner for Barca — and celebrated by taking off his jersey and holding it up for Real Madrid fans

OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images

2017: Messi enjoyed one of the most memorable moments of his career when he scored a stoppage-time game-winner in El Clásico — his 500th-career game-winner for Barca — and celebrated by taking off his jersey and holding it up for Real Madrid fans

2018: After finishing second in their group at the 2018 World Cup, Messi and Argentina lost a 3-4 decision to eventual champions France in the Round of 16

AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan

2018: For the first time since 2009, Messi did not finish in the top-two in Ballon d'Or voting despite becoming Barcelona's captain and scoring more goals than any other player on the planet

REUTERS/Albert Gea

2018: For the first time since 2009, Messi did not finish in the top-two in Ballon d'Or voting despite becoming Barcelona's captain and scoring more goals than any other player on the planet

2019: After an extended hiatus from international play, Messi rejoined Argentina and helped his side to a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa América

REUTERS/Washington Alves

2019: Messi won a record sixth Ballon d'Or after leading Barca to its 10th La Liga title and scoring the most goals in both the Champions League and all of Europe

JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images

2020: Messi and Argentina start strong for 2022 World Cup qualifying

REUTERS/Marcelo Endelli

2020: Messi joined the exclusive 700-goal club on his 630th career goal for Barcelona, but the Argentine shocked the world two months later when he announced his intention to depart Barca for a new squad

Manu Fernandez/Pool via REUTERS

2020: Messi joined the exclusive 700-goal club on his 630th career goal for Barcelona, but the Argentine shocked the world two months later when he announced his intention to depart Barca for a new squad

2021: Messi enjoyed the most fruitful year yet with Argentina, leading La Albiceleste to the Copa América title and earning player of the tournament and golden boot honors

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

2021: Messi enjoyed the most fruitful year yet with Argentina, leading La Albiceleste to the Copa América title and earning player of the tournament and golden boot honors

2021: After 20 years in Barcelona, Messi left for French side Paris Saint-Germain, where he teamed up with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar to form a European juggernaut

Lionel Messi took a pay-cut to join PSG.Getty/Mehdi Taamallah

2022: At long last, Messi captured the trophy that had long eluded him with Argentina's thrilling victory over reigning champion France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

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Photos of Lionel Messi from every year of his historic career show his rise to soccer's highest throne

2003: At 16 years old, Messi made his debut for Barcelona during a friendly against Porto

2004: Though he was eligible to compete for Spain at the international level and drew interest from the Spanish Federation in his teens, Messi opted to play for Argentina as he'd always dreamed

2004: After spending most of the year starting for Barca's B team, a 17-year-old Messi became the youngest player ever to represent the club in an official match

2005: A year later, he earned his first call-up to the Argentina senior national team

2005: On his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona's senior team and later began earning regular starts for the club

2006: He started getting more time with his national team, too, and scored his first World Cup goal in his debut World Cup appearance

2006: Though Barcelona began to struggle, Messi scored 17 goals in to help make the case that he was a bona fide star at just 19 years old

2007: He shined during La Albiceleste's run to the 2007 Copa América final, starting throughout the tournament and contributing two goals at just 20 years old

2007: Spanish media christened Messi as the "Messiah" after he finished third in Ballon d'Or voting and second in the FIFA Player of the Year rankings at just 20 years old

2008: A 21-year-old Messi led Argentina to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was cited by FIFA as one of the standout players of the tournament

2008: After Ronaldinho's departure from Barcelona, Messi assumed his signature No. 10 jersey and once again finished top-3 in both Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year voting

2009: The following year, Messi took over the No. 10 jersey for his country after Argentinian great Riquelme retired from international play

2009: Messi won his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the former of which he won by a then-record margin of 240 points

2010: Messi and Argentina struggled at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where La Albiceleste bowed out with a blowout loss to Germany in the quarterfinals

2010: Though Argentina made an early exit from the World Cup, Messi's goal-per-game pace with Barcelona was enough to retain the Ballon d'Or for a second consecutive year

2011: Argentina's struggles continued into the 2011 Copa América, where Messi and his teammates struggled to score and exited the tournament in the quarterfinals

2011: Still, Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the third consecutive year thanks to 43 goals and 21 assists in 47 games for Barcelona

2012: Messi was named Argentina's captain and scored a record-tying 12 goals in nine games under new coach Alejandro Sabella

2012: Messi was once again honored as the world's best footballer, becoming the first and only man ever to win the Ballon d'Or in four consecutive years

2013: He continued his upward trajectory with Argentina as team's chemistry improved and La Albiceleste qualified for the 2014 World Cup

2013: Messi wore the Barcelona captain's band for the first time in 2013, but injuries derailed his season and left him finishing behind Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d'Or voting

2014: Messi earned the 2014 World Cup Golden Ball despite Argentina's 1-0 loss to Germany in the final.

2014: Messi became La Liga's all-time leading scorer, breaking Telmo Zarra's 59-year record of 251 goals in Spain's top league

2015: Argentina advanced to yet another final — this time the 2015 Copa América — but fell to the host nation, Chile, in penalty kicks

2015: With 48 goals on the year, Messi led Barca to victories in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup en route to his then-record fifth Ballon d'Or

2016: After once again losing in PKs against Chile during 2016's Copa América Centenario, a frustrated Messi announced his short-lived retirement from international play

2016: Messi scored 51 goals to become Europe's top scorer for the year, but placed second in Ballon d'Or voting behind Cristiano Ronaldo

2017: He returned to the struggling national team and secured Argentina's World Cup bid with a hat trick against Ecuador

2017: Messi enjoyed one of the most memorable moments of his career when he scored a stoppage-time game-winner in El Clásico — his 500th-career game-winner for Barca — and celebrated by taking off his jersey and holding it up for Real Madrid fans

2018: After finishing second in their group at the 2018 World Cup, Messi and Argentina lost a 3-4 decision to eventual champions France in the Round of 16

2018: For the first time since 2009, Messi did not finish in the top-two in Ballon d'Or voting despite becoming Barcelona's captain and scoring more goals than any other player on the planet

2019: After an extended hiatus from international play, Messi rejoined Argentina and helped his side to a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa América

2019: Messi won a record sixth Ballon d'Or after leading Barca to its 10th La Liga title and scoring the most goals in both the Champions League and all of Europe

2020: Messi and Argentina start strong for 2022 World Cup qualifying

2020: Messi joined the exclusive 700-goal club on his 630th career goal for Barcelona, but the Argentine shocked the world two months later when he announced his intention to depart Barca for a new squad

2021: Messi enjoyed the most fruitful year yet with Argentina, leading La Albiceleste to the Copa América title and earning player of the tournament and golden boot honors

2021: After 20 years in Barcelona, Messi left for French side Paris Saint-Germain, where he teamed up with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar to form a European juggernaut

2022: At long last, Messi captured the trophy that had long eluded him with Argentina's thrilling victory over reigning champion France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar