Change: "It was speculated that he failed to be signed into River Plate due to his ill health, however in a 2019 interview, Messi revealed that the club had offered to pay for his medical treatment despite ultimately rejecting him."

To: "It was speculated that he failed to sign with River Plate due to his ill health; however, in a 2019 interview, Messi revealed that River Plate had offered to pay for his medical treatment after he impressed at a trial by scoring four goals. River wanted to sign him, but Newell's Old Boys, who had refused to pay for his treatment, also refused to release his player card, preventing the transfer."

Reason: The current statement is incorrect. In the 2019 interview with Fox Sports Argentina, Messi clearly stated that River Plate wanted him, offered to pay for his treatment, and asked him to bring his player card to finalize the transfer. However, the transfer did not occur because Newell's Old Boys refused to release his player card, as they didn’t want to lose Messi to River Plate. While the article referenced (Reference #34) is correctly cited in the Wikipedia page, the information currently presented does not accurately reflect what is said in the article. This is discussed in the Sports Illustrated article (Reference #34): https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/02/leo-messi-revelo-el-motivo-por-el-que-no-ficho-por-river-plate. DEC182022 (talk) 22:35, 23 October 2024 (UTC)

• Request moved from archive for further consideration -OXYLYPSE (talk) 23:49, 10 November 2024 (UTC)
• Partly done: I added most of what you said, however, the article did not mention that he impressed them, just that it happened happened the trial. Wikieditor662 (talk) 16:32, 11 January 2025 (UTC)

I want to add a part to the inter maimi part, so i can mention the Presidential Medal of Freedom that he resived during that time. there is many websites that support this, such as inter maimis own website. Nb998003293 (talk) 01:31, 13 January 2025 (UTC)

 Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. LizardJr8 (talk) 01:45, 13 January 2025 (UTC)

Add Information about Messi's New Join the Planet climate change initiative KingBaba99 (talk) 14:19, 17 January 2025 (UTC)

Nafismansib (talk) 03:54, 27 January 2025 (UTC)

Blank edit request, no action taken. LizardJr8 (talk) 04:17, 27 January 2025 (UTC)

See the "Reception" section of this wikipedia article. The sources clearly state that this player was regarded by many fans, players, managers and pundits as "the greatest of all time" by the time he won his 4th Ballon D'or and that many fans, players, managers and pundits widely recognised him as being "the greatest of all time" after the 2022 World Cup win.

While I understand this matter is subjective, what is not subjective is the language of the sources used in stating said player to be "one of the greatest". This is a distortion of language and contrary to the fundamental principles of Wikipedia and its policies of neutrality and clarity.

Language must be written from a neutral point of view. The article should not state that he is, in fact, the greatest. Instead, it should reflect the sources used and cite that many pundits and fans claim or have claimed him to be "the" greatest. On Pele's page, an icon of the sport, this neutrality is reflected when it claims that "many" consider him to be "the" greatest of all time. There is nothing wrong with this. Many still do. But many also claim that Lionel Messi is "the" greatest. This is not advocacy, this is claiming what other highly regarded, neutral sources claim.

See wikipedia policies and guidelines where it sets out that language used in article must be "clear" - "[b]e plain, direct, unambiguous, and specific. Avoid platitudes and generalities". Articles also must be "concise" - "[o]mit needless words. Direct, concise writing is clearer than rambling examples. Footnotes and links to other pages may be used for clarification". Use of the phrase "one of the greatest" in direct contradiction of the sources which evidently state said player's reception as being regarded as "the" is unclear and is not concise. The inclusion of the words "one of the" are not only needless words, they are included in bad faith to distort the language of the sources they cite.

Moreover, editors must employ "common sense" as directed in the Wikipedia policies and guidelines, it is not common sense to manipulate language and therefore the image and reception of a particular idea, place or person. The inclusion of "one of the greatest" when the sources used, neutral and regarded sources at that, claim said player is regarded by many (pundits, fans, players, managers/coaches) as "the" greatest, is nothing short of strategic editorial subterfuge. It is done with misleading intent and is contrary to the principles of Wikipedia as well as its policies and guidelines.

Is this how we want history to be shaped on this platform? By distorting language and selectively choosing which voices are heard? 184.64.208.5 (talk) 18:26, 29 January 2025 (UTC)

In fact, upon perusing Pele's Wikipedia article, the language used in the "Legacy" section is as follows: "has been frequently ranked the best player ever". There is not even an inclusion of the words "by many". The sources cited in the inclusion reflect the statement. The difference? In Lionel Messi's Wikipedia page, the language employed does not reflect what the sources are stating. In a similar way, if not mirroring the language used describing Pele's legacy/reception in the sport, Messi is likewise regarded by many reputable sources, including those used, as "the" greatest. This further underscores the manipulation of language in including the not quoted or not cited words "one of the". This is editorial subterfuge. It's being committed in bad faith. 184.64.208.5 (talk) 18:38, 29 January 2025 (UTC)

• We have to just follow the sources. I dont think many people would accept "The best of all time" We also cannot use WP:WEASEL. Thanks! Jtbobwaysf (talk) 03:25, 30 January 2025 (UTC)

  I respectfully disagree.

  1. On the WEASEL words argument:

  Your response suggests that "widely regarded as the greatest" is a weasel phrase because it lacks clear attribution. The claim that Messi is regarded as "the" greatest of all time is supported by numerous high quality sources:

  The New York Times:

  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/18/sports/soccer/messi-world-cup-win.html

  "Only then did Messi’s wait, his agony, come to an end. Only then could he finally claim the one prize that had eluded him, the one honor he craved above all others, the one achievement that could further cement his status as the greatest player to have played the game: delivering a World Cup championship to Argentina, its third overall but first since 1986."

  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/20/world/americas/messi-copa-america-argentina-soccer.html

  "On Thursday in Atlanta, the Argentine national soccer team will kick off the 2024 edition of Copa América, South America’s biggest soccer championship, with a game against Canada. Fans around the world, but especially in Argentina, have been eagerly awaiting this day ever since their beloved squad, led by perhaps the greatest soccer player of all time, won the 2022 World Cup.

  The Wall Street Journal:

  https://www.wsj.com/articles/argentina-france-world-cup-messi-mbappe-11671386377?mod=saved_content

  "LUSAIL, Qatar—Over more than 15 years in professional soccer, Lionel Messi had become a champion of nearly everything. He won every major club competition available to him at least once. And he had taken soccer’s highest individual prize, the Ballon d’Or, a record seven times. Messi was so good for so long that even without a World Cup, he had a claim on being the sport’s greatest of all time.

  Now Messi has that World Cup, too."

  BBC:

  https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63964902

  "Lionel Messi was dubbed the greatest player of all time as he led Argentina into the World Cup final - and surely one last chance to win the game's most famous trophy before he retires."

  https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64022880

  "The paper calls Messi "the greatest" and quotes BBC presenter Gary Lineker calling the game - which Argentina won on penalties - "the greatest I've ever witnessed". It was, the Sun suggests, the greatest World Cup final since England's win in 1966."

  "The i also describes Lionel Messi as "the greatest" in the wake of Argentina's World Cup win."

  The Washington Post:

  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/06/14/lionel-messi-argentina-guatemala-preview/

  "The global title was its first since 1986, when Diego Maradona steered the nation to its second World Cup win. That achievement came on the heels of the 2021 Copa América triumph — the Argentines’ first continental crown since 1993. Over two tournaments 17 months apart, Messi filled both glaring holes in his résumé as the greatest to have played the game."

  ESPN:

  https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/insider/story/_/id/35259622/lionel-messi-world-cup-proves-best-male-athlete-ever

  "Why Lionel Messi is the best male athlete of all time"

  "Why Messi is the best soccer player of all time"

  "Regardless of whether Lionel Messi wins the World Cup with Argentina on Sunday, the conversation shouldn't be about whether he's better than Ronaldo or any other soccer player. No, Messi's career ultimately warrants a new question entirely: Is he the greatest athlete of all time?

  ---

  Now let us move on to the articles that are actually cited for the wikipedia page of Messi that are currently used to support that he is only referred to as "one of the greats". These are directly cited from the sources this wikipedia page currently uses:

  The Associated Press:

  https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-wins-world-cup-final-is-he-the-goat-0bf74af4ef88ea1e6b3eadce375ebb4a

  "After finally winning the World Cup, Lionel Messi made his strongest case yet to be considered soccer’s greatest player of all time."

  The Business Insider:

  https://www.businessinsider.com/lionel-messi-cements-status-as-goat-argentina-win-world-cup-2022-12

  "Lionel Messi cemented his status as the greatest soccer player of all time on Sunday as Argentina beat France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final of the World Cup in Qatar."

  Fox Sports:

  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/lionel-messi-cements-his-goat-status-with-a-little-help-from-his-friends

  "Lionel Messi cements his GOAT status with a little help from his friends"

  ---

  If reliable sources explicitly state that Messi is regarded as "the" greatest of all time, then Wikipedia can reflect that. It's not a weasel word - it's an attributed fact.

  The Misuse of WP:WEASEL

  The Weasel Words guideline only applies when the claim lacks attribution - I have provided (as have others, including the sources already used in the wikipedia page) numerous high quality, trusted, respected sources that explicitly say Messi is "the" greatest of all time or is regarded as "the" greatest of all time. Therefore, the weasel guideline does not apply.

  Your argument misapplies WP:WEASEL because Messi is described as "the" greatest in numerous sources, therefore it's not a vague claim, it's a sourced fact.

  The Inconsistency

  If Pele's article states he is "the" greatest based on similar quality sources, then why does Messi's page require "one of the greatest" contrary to the description in the sources? Wikipedia's Neutral Point of View policy means consistency across comparable cases - not selectively weakening the claim for one person while allowing it for another. Why is Pele's page not flagged for weasel words if Messi's is?

  Viewpoints

  You argue that many people would not accept "the best of all time". That is not what is not what is being argued here. What is being argued here is a respectful request to properly reflect the language of the sources and the claims of highly regarded sources - that he is "considered to be the best of all time" - not a blank statement that he is or isn't, that's not appropriate.

  Furthermore, it's all true for Pele that many might not agree, yet his page does not hedge the language. The standard must be applied equally. Therefore, both pages can fairly state that said player is "regarded as the greatest of all time" as numerous high quality sources do so for both.

  Saying Lionel Messi is regarded as the greatest of all time does not violate neutrality. Neutrality means accurately reflecting sources. If many reliable sources explicitly call Messi "the greatest", then weaking the language is actually a violation of NPOV. 2605:8D80:4A3:9A77:7CCA:82AC:8FC0:15C0 (talk) 23:29, 30 January 2025 (UTC)

In the introduction section, where it states that Messi is a prolific goalscorer and playmaker, edit the sentence to include assists as such - "A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi has scored over 850 senior career goals and has provided over 380 assists for club and country." 213.217.198.120 (talk) 05:13, 26 February 2025 (UTC)

Do you have a source for that number? Most competitions don't keep accurate figures for assists, especially not publicly available ones. – PeeJay 16:03, 26 February 2025 (UTC)

 Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. M.Bitton (talk) 02:08, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

See below references:

https://bolavip.com/en/amp/soccer/argentinas-lionel-messi-matches-impressive-all-time-record-held-by-usmnt-legend

https://as.com/us/futbol/messi-cerca-del-mayor-record-de-asistencias-n/?outputType=amp

Not sure which one you think is more reliable, but I’ve added the latter. GOAT Bones231012 (talk) 02:40, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

The infobox is displaying the medal table incorrectly. The winning teams in a football tournament are called winners, the losing teams in the final are called runners-up. Football tournaments never rank teams like in ranking competitions (e.g. athletics, swimming...). Please edit the medal table so it displays correctly. All articles about football players display the correct medal table, why is this article (and Cristiano Ronaldo) displaying it incorrectly? See also Template:Infobox football biography. 2001:EE0:54D2:77C0:C8F2:84FF:6EC0:EDEA (talk) 11:43, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

Already done by User:Mb2437. Annh07 (talk) 15:25, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

Position: Midfielder 209.216.101.58 (talk) 02:11, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

He's a forward, unless you can provide a source that says he's a midfielder. – PeeJay 10:17, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

It says that messi has 45 team trophies,well that’s wrong it’s 46 ArticNova (talk) 17:42, 26 March 2025 (UTC)

 Not done: Please see [note 3], it explains why it's 45 trophies and not 46. Annh07 (talk) 18:02, 26 March 2025 (UTC)

Hello, to anyone who sees this. So i have an edit request to change Messi's picture to his current looks right now. If you can, please update his picture. Thank you. 2601:640:C082:1750:9880:16A4:E3FC:D4CC (talk) 21:29, 9 April 2025 (UTC)

 Not done: Please identify a specific image file that you would propose to be used. LizardJr8 (talk) 01:57, 10 April 2025 (UTC)

 - **Barcelona (2003–2021):** 520 appearances, 474 goals
 - **Paris Saint-Germain (2021–2023):** 58 appearances, 22 goals
 - **Inter Miami (2023–present):** 29 appearances, 24 goals

 - **Caps:** 191
 - **Goals:** 112

 - La Liga: 10 titles
 - UEFA Champions League: 4 titles
 - Copa del Rey: 7 titles
 - FIFA Club World Cup: 3 titles

 - Ligue 1: 2 titles
 - Trophée des Champions: 1 title

 - Leagues Cup: 1 title
 - Supporters' Shield: 1 title

 - Copa América: 1 title
 - FIFA World Cup: 1 title

•  Not done. All of this content is already in the article. Black Kite (talk) 10:00, 12 April 2025 (UTC)

Regarded by IFFHS 103.205.12.4 (talk) 13:26, 1 June 2025 (UTC)

Who cares. IFFHS are an obscure footballing body/source. All my warmest wishes, ItsKesha (talk) 15:08, 1 June 2025 (UTC)

https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0242-0e97e0ac1cb3-eef786ff788c-1000--lionel-messi-what-records-does-he-hold/

The official website of the organising body should have more weight than some 3rd party website or random Wikipedia fanboy? 211.30.32.204 (talk) 08:25, 30 June 2025 (UTC)

UEFA also says here, here, here, here, and here that he won four champions league titles so it does seem to be a mistake on their part. In your source, it's written that "He was also a regular for the Spanish club when they won the trophy in 2006 but was not part of their squad for the final", but in a more recent source from May of this year, it says that he won the 2006 UCL even though he "Did not play in the final". Aviationwikiflight (talk) 10:16, 14 July 2025 (UTC)

add info about The messi Experience World Tour multimedia exhibition 2409:40F4:3154:E0F1:B4F3:10FF:FEB8:5D68 (talk) 16:55, 29 July 2025 (UTC)

One thing that I have come to strongly disagree on is the updating of the image of Messi. I think the one of him at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was good and should be restored, and I have several reasons why:

• 1 It was a tournament in which he was totally the face of. He announced prior to the tournament that it would be is Last World Cup so all the media and fans were like: "Will the GOAT finally get his World Cup?" and he did.
• 2 He has played for 3 clubs, but only one National Team. A player from anywhere (Unless there are restrictions put on by Governing bodies) can play anywhere, and many play overseas, and most world class South American players (And world class players in general) play in Europe. Take this for example: Most players will probably play in a few countries in their career, but almost all play for just one National Team. Take this, a player from Argentina (Just using it because it is a good example and it is the country of the subject) will likely start their career in Argentina, then they might head off to Spain, then maybe France, then Germany, then Italy, before playing in Premier League, a player could make a name for themselves in many countries leagues, but on the International stage, they basically only make a name for themselves for one country (Some players change allegiance, but there is a cap tie which means they only really make a name for themselves with one National Team)
• 3 Just because it is more recent doesn't mean it is better. There are several reasons for this, mainly due to what I said above
• 4 His notability goes beyond Barcelona nowadays. Messi will always be best known as a Barcelona player no doubt. But now he made a name for himself at Inter Miami and has undoubtedly increased their popularity beyond Miami. His arrival in MLS had everyone wondering about the impact he would have on the popularity of Association Football in the United States, but using an image of him with Miami is truly reaching on WP:RECENT territory.
• 5 It is a neutral jersey. Only one team can get the InfoBox image, and with his notability at both Barcelona and Miami, why not just a picture of him with his National Team?
• 6 The current image was only taken a few weeks ago, and with the possibility of people trying to capture photos of Messi, some editors might constantly feel the need to update whenever the most recent one comes out.

Now, which image should be used in the InfoBox:

Servite et contribuere (talk) 20:59, 27 July 2025 (UTC)

Comment: I’ve updated the images to a gallery to display properly. Haj (talk) 22:03, 27 July 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for having all the images displayed Haj Servite et contribuere (talk) 22:05, 27 July 2025 (UTC)

• Option A The World Cup is the pinnacle of football, and his performance in winning it was widely remembered as his magnum opus, like Rossi in 1982, Maradona in 1986, R9 in 2002. This also defeats the argument of which club or club season to portray him in, which as mentioned above is open to interpretation depending on a person's age and location. Unknown Temptation (talk) 18:08, 2 August 2025 (UTC)

  Unknown Temptation Option A is the Inter Miami version. Option B is the World Cup photo. Servite et contribuere (talk) 03:39, 3 August 2025 (UTC)