How old was Lionel Messi when they won their first Ballon d'Or?

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, he has set numerous records for individual accolades won throughout his professional footballing career, including eight Ballons d'Or, six European Golden Shoes, and being named the world's best player by FIFA eight times. Messi was named the greatest player of the 21st century by ESPN in 2024, and in 2025, he was named the All Time Men's World Best Player by the IFFHS. In 2020 and 2023 he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, becoming the first team-sport athlete to win the award. He was among Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2023.