Lionel Messi, widely considered the greatest footballer of all time (GOAT), cemented his legacy by leading Argentina to victory in the 2024 Copa America. This title was Messi’s 45th career trophy. With this achievement, Lionel Messi has edged past Brazil’s Dani Alves as the most decorated footballer of all time.
In the Copa America final against Colombia Argentina emerged victorious 1-0, but the story goes beyond the scoreline. Lionel Messi, unfortunately, suffered an ankle injury in the second half and had to be subbed off. The sight of him crying on the bench touched fans worldwide. However, his teammates rallied in his absence, with Lautaro Martinez scoring the winning goal in extra time.
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This victory marked a significant milestone for Messi. It was his 45th team trophy, surpassing Brazilian legend Dani Alves to become the footballer with the most titles in history. This incredible achievement solidified Messi’s position as the most decorated player of all time.
For Argentina, this Copa America win was the culmination of a remarkable three years. Messi captained his team to glory in the 2022 World Cup and secured two Copa America titles (2022 and 2024) along with a prestigious Finalissima victory.
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi, most decorated player with 45 titles including one more Copa América from tonight! ✨ pic.twitter.com/SXwpgGBesh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2024
Looking at Messi’s glittering career, it’s no surprise he holds such a record. His club career has been phenomenal, with a staggering 39 trophies to his name. Most of these came during his iconic spell at Barcelona, where he won 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions Leagues, and a multitude of domestic cups.
But Messi’s trophy cabinet extends beyond Spain. He added two league titles (one with PSG and another with Inter Miami in MLS) to his collection. Additionally, he secured prestigious titles like the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup on three occasions each.
Messi’s international success goes beyond senior trophies. He was instrumental in Argentina’s triumphs at the 2005 U-17 World Cup and the 2008 Olympic Games.
Individual accolades further cement his greatness. He holds the record for most Ballon d’Or awards (8) – a recognition for the best player in the world – and has won the European Golden Boot (awarded to the top goalscorer in European league competitions) a staggering six times.
Throughout his career, Messi has defied expectations. As a young boy in Rosario, Argentina, his small stature initially raised doubts. However, his talent caught the eye of Barcelona, and the rest, as they say, is history.
While his club career has been universally celebrated, Lionel Messi faced criticism for not replicating the same success on the international stage. But in the last four years, he has silenced those critics with three major trophies for Argentina.
