A maxi poster showing Barcelona FC football player Lionel Andres Messi. Lionel Andres Messi is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for La Ligas Barcelona & the Argentine national team. Messi is considered to be one of the best football players of his generation, having received several Ballon d Or & FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21. His playing style & ability have drawn comparisons to football legend Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".