Wednesday 24th June 2009 sees the 22nd birthday of Lionel Messi!

Best wishes from the team at www.lionel-messi.co.uk

Leave your birthday messages in the coment link below.

UEFA Champions League winner and top scorer Lionel Messi, was given a footballing masterclass by an 11 year old Argentine boy last weekend. However, we are talking about the virtual form of the game!

Indeed, Messi attended a promotional event for the Family Association of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FAME) yesterday in his hometown, Rosario, where he played a PlayStation football tournament (Pro Evolution Soccer 2009) to benefit the association. Leo took on young Santino Obrella, who went beat him first 4-3 and then 6-3! Both chose to play with FC Barcelona, in alternate kits.

After previsoulsy showing a deditcation to Fragile x Syndrome in El Clasico earlier this season, this action goes to show once again, the sheer professionalism of Leo, who interrupted his own rest period to be at the event. “It’s an honor to be here with you. Thanks for the invitation, and hopefully we will be able to all continue to work as well from now on in,” were his closing words.

With all the attention currently on Cristiano Ronaldo and his world record 92 million Euro transfer to Real Madrid, an English economic analysis group have identified Lionel Messi to be worth even more.

This study reveals that the Barcelona superstar is the most expensive player in world football, carrying a price tag of US $177 million. The company, named Frontier Economics, utilised this finding by using a series of statistics including:
Goals scored, shots at goal, minutes played, international experience, individuals awards received, age, and titles won.

However, would any club afford such a fee? Would Lionel ever be interested in a move? The answer to the latter, according to the man himself, is a categoric no.

Lionel Messi has continued his endorsement to the Konami football series, Pro Evolution Soccer. In recent weeks he was worked with the producers of the game, to provide his expert opinion on gameplay matters, as well undertaking a Motion-Capture session.

Leo is the focus of the games debut trailer: