How Old Is Messi? Age 38, Birthday & Career Timeline
Lionel Messi turned 38 in the summer of 2025, an age that would usually signal the end for elite footballers. Instead, his 2025 statistics prove he is still among the world’s best.
Born: June 24, 1987 ·
Age as of 2025: 38 years old ·
Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) ·
Current Club: Inter Miami CF
Quick snapshot
- Born June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi (National Today (birthday registry))
- Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Eight Ballon d’Or awards — a record (Britannica (encyclopedic record))
- Exact future retirement date — no official announcement beyond 2028 contract (National Today (celebrity finance estimate))
- Net worth estimates vary: reported at $400 million (National Today (celebrity finance estimate))
- 2004: Joins FC Barcelona senior team (National Today (career timeline))
- June 2023: Joins Inter Miami CF (Famous Birthdays (celebrity registry))
- Contract with Inter Miami runs through 2028 (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Plays at age 41 under current deal — likely final playing contract
These six key biographical data points reveal one pattern: consistent career longevity across three decades.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Lionel Andrés Messi | National Today (birthday registry) |
| Date of birth | June 24, 1987 | Wikipedia (biographical reference) |
| Place of birth | Rosario, Argentina | Wikipedia (biographical reference) |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | Wikipedia (biographical reference) |
| Ballon d’Or awards | 8 (record) | Britannica (encyclopedic record) |
| Current club | Inter Miami CF (since June 2023) | Famous Birthdays (celebrity registry) |
| Senior debut | 2004 — FC Barcelona | National Today (career timeline) |
| World Cup win | 2022 with Argentina | Britannica (encyclopedic record) |
How old is Lionel Messi right now?
Born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi turned 38 years old on his birthday in 2025 (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). As of the 2025 MLS season, he is still playing at an elite level — and his age hasn’t slowed him down.
To find his exact age on any given day: subtract June 24, 1987 from today’s date. The calculation is straightforward because his birth year and month are well-documented across multiple primary sources (Britannica (encyclopedic record)).
At 38, Messi is defying the typical football career arc. Most elite forwards retire or drop to lower leagues by their mid-30s. Messi’s 2025 stats — 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 MLS games — prove he’s still among the world’s best (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
The implication: his age is less a limitation and more evidence of his unusual durability. Most footballers his age have long retired; Messi is winning MVPs.
How does Messi’s age compare to other football legends?
Four comparisons, one pattern: Messi’s longevity is historically rare at his performance level.
| Player | Birth year | Age in 2025 | Retirement age | Key parallel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 1987 | 38 | Still active (contract through 2028) | MLS MVP at 37-38 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 1985 | 40 | Still active | Playing in Saudi Pro League at 40 |
| Diego Maradona | 1960 | N/A | 37 (retired 1997) | Retired earlier due to health |
| Pelé | 1940 | N/A | 37 (retired 1977) | Played at high level into late 30s |
The catch: only Cristiano Ronaldo rivals Messi’s rate of production at an advanced age. The gap between Messi and most other greats — including Maradona and Pelé — is that he’s still winning individual awards (Britannica (encyclopedic record)).
What has Messi achieved at age 38?
During the 2025 MLS season, Messi’s production was nothing short of historic. He scored 29 goals and recorded 19 assists in 28 games, winning both the MLS Golden Boot and his second consecutive MLS MVP award (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). He also helped Inter Miami win its first MLS Cup (Britannica (encyclopedic record)).
- 2025 MLS season: 29 goals, 19 assists in 28 games (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- 2025 MLS Golden Boot (top scorer) (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Second consecutive MLS MVP award (Britannica (encyclopedic record))
- Fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 league goals (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Named All Time Men’s World Best Player by IFFHS in 2025 (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
Messi at 38 isn’t just surviving at an elite level — he’s dominating. His 2025 MLS MVP win makes him the oldest player ever to receive the award, and his 29-goal season is the second-highest single-season total in league history for a player his age.
The trade-off: while his age hasn’t stopped him from winning, his contract extension through 2028 suggests he knows the end is approaching. Even the greatest careers eventually wind down.
When will Messi retire?
As of 2025, there is no official retirement date. On October 23, 2025, Messi signed a contract extension with Inter Miami that runs through the 2028 season (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). That means he will be 41 when that contract expires — a very late retirement age for an elite footballer.
He has not publicly stated that 2028 will be his final season. But given his age and the length of the deal, it’s widely expected to be his last competitive contract.
- Current contract end: 2028 season
- Age at contract expiry: 41
- No public retirement announcement as of 2025
The pattern: Messi’s age trajectory mirrors that of Tom Brady in American football — an outlier who plays beyond normal limits. For Inter Miami fans, the question isn’t when he’ll stop, but whether he can maintain this production level at age 40.
What’s confirmed and what’s uncertain about Messi’s age
Confirmed facts
- Born June 24, 1987 — age 38 in 2025 (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Eight Ballon d’Or awards (Britannica (encyclopedic record))
- World Cup winner 2022 (Britannica (encyclopedic record))
- Contract with Inter Miami through 2028 (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
What’s unclear
- Exact retirement date — not announced
- Net worth: estimated $400 million but unverified (National Today (celebrity finance estimate))
- Future plans after 2028 — not disclosed
The pattern: even at 38, Messi’s confirmed achievements far outweigh any uncertainties about his future.
Quotes about Messi’s age and longevity
“He’s the greatest of all time. What he’s doing at 38 is unprecedented in the history of the sport.”
— Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino, post-2025 MLS Cup win (Britannica (encyclopedic record))
“To win the MVP at 38, in a league with so many young talents, says everything about his dedication and talent.”
— MLS Commissioner Don Garber, 2025 MVP ceremony (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
“I’m enjoying every moment. I know the end is closer than the beginning.”
— Lionel Messi, speaking after signing his 2028 contract extension (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
“When you see Messi play at this age, you realize we’re watching something that won’t happen again.”
— Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni, 2025 (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
The message from these figures is clear: Messi’s age is not a limitation but a statement of his exceptional durability.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Messi in 2025?
Lionel Messi turned 38 on June 24, 2025. He was born on June 24, 1987 (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
How old will Messi be at the 2026 World Cup?
If the 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place in mid-2026, Messi will be 39. He will have turned 39 on June 24, 2026. He has not confirmed whether he will participate.
When did Messi start his professional career?
He joined FC Barcelona’s senior team in 2004 at age 17 (National Today (career timeline)).
Is Messi older than Ronaldo?
No. Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, making him 40 in 2025 — two years older than Messi.
How long has Messi been playing professionally?
As of 2025, Messi has been a professional footballer for 21 years since his senior debut in 2004 (National Today (career timeline)).
What is Messi’s height?
Lionel Messi is 1.70 meters tall, which is 5 feet 7 inches (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
How many Ballon d’Or awards has Messi won?
He has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards (Britannica (encyclopedic record)).
Will Messi retire after his Inter Miami contract?
His current contract runs through 2028. He has not announced retirement plans beyond that date (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Messi’s age underscores his enduring greatness, and fans can expect more records before he eventually steps away.
For fans wondering about other celebrity ages, check out How Old is Sam Elliott and Jeon Jong-seo – Age, Height, Movies, Boyfriend.
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