Born and raised in central Argentina , Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child . At age 13 , he relocated to Spain to join Barcelona , who agreed to pay for his medical treatment . After a fast progression through Barcelona 's youth academy , Messi made his competitive debut aged 17 in October 2004 . Despite being injury-prone during his early career , he established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years , finishing 2007 as a finalist for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award , a feat he repeated the following year . His first uninterrupted season was 2008 – 09 , during which he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football . At 22 years old , Messi won the 2009 Ballon d'Or and the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award by record voting margins . Three successful seasons followed , with Messi winning three consecutive FIFA Ballons d'Or , including an unprecedented fourth . During the 2011 – 12 season , he set the La Liga and European records for most goals scored in a single season , while establishing himself as Barcelona 's all-time top scorer in official competitions in March 2012 . The following two seasons , Messi finished twice second for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo , his perceived career rival . Messi regained his best form during the 2014 – 15 campaign , breaking the all-time goalscoring records in both La Liga and the Champions League in November 2014 , and leading Barcelona to a historic second treble
2009 Ballon d'Or
2009 Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi