Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi began his football career at a young age, joining FC Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13. He made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2004, and over the next two decades, he became the club's all-time top scorer and a global icon.

Messi's playing style is characterized by his incredible dribbling skills, vision, playmaking ability, and goal-scoring prowess. He has won numerous individual awards, including seven Ballon d'Or titles (as of 2023), which are awarded to the best player in the world. During his time at Barcelona, Messi helped the club win numerous domestic and international titles, including 10 La Liga championships, four UEFA Champions League titles, and multiple Copa del Rey trophies.

In 2021, Messi made a highly publicized move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after financial issues at Barcelona prevented the club from renewing his contract. At PSG, Messi continued to showcase his extraordinary talent, contributing to the team's success in domestic and European competitions.

On the international stage, Messi has represented Argentina in multiple World Cups and Copa América tournaments. In 2021, he led Argentina to victory in the Copa América, securing his first major international trophy. In 2022, Messi captained Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Messi is known not only for his achievements on the pitch but also for his humility, sportsmanship, and philanthropy. His influence extends beyond football, making him one of the most recognizable and beloved athletes in the world.

In December 2022, BOOM debunked a viral claim that Argentina was issuing a 1000 peso note featuring football star Lionel Messi.

BOOM consulted Fernando Alonso, Senior Manager of Communications at the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA), who confirmed that the allegation was false and labeled the claim as fake.