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Lionel Messi Barcelona 2020-21Getty Images
GOAL

What nicknames does Lionel Messi have?

L. Messi
Barcelona
LaLiga

La Pulga, Leo, the Messiah - Goal takes a look at some of the alternative monikers used for the Barcelona and Argentina superstar

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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
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Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 73%

Every footballing great has their nickname - Cristiano Ronaldo is known as 'El Bicho', while Carles Puyol has been called 'El Tiburon'.

Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the pitch, also has his fair share of affectionate nicknames and monikers - and Goal has what you need to know about them.

Nicknames for Lionel Messi

One of Messi's most famous nicknames is that of 'La Pulga', which means 'the flea' in Spanish.

Messi has been known as 'La Pulga' ever since he was a child, having been diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 10.

His small stature and modest height earned him the nickname of 'the flea', but his reputation as a promising footballer even at his early age meant that he was known for his small size but huge talent.

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LaLiga

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Barcelona were able to provide Messi with the proper treatment which was completed by the time he turned 14 and the rest, as they say, is history. Messi is one of the most celebrated players in Barcelona history and considered a club talisman.

Spanish outlets went a step further and began calling him 'La Pulga Atomica' [the atomic flea] as a means to describe how, despite being physically unimposing, still manages to have significant upper-body strength that allows him to physically dominate his opponents in challenges - while his quick footwork allows him to excel at dribbling.

His short, strong legs - he is not traditionally long-limbed or legged as other successful footballers are - allow him to accelerate across the pitch in quick bursts.

Lionel Messi Barcelona 2005Getty Images

Another nickname for Messi is 'Leo', a shortened form of his full first name that is informally used by football figures, team-mates and pundits alike.

Messi was supposedly named after the singer Lionel Richie, the musician behind the well-known tracks "Hello" and "Truly".

A less official nickname is, of course, the 'GOAT' (Greatest Of All Time), but that is a tag shared by former rival at Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo.

Football fans will also refer to Messi as 'the Messiah', a pun combining the words 'Messi' and 'Messiah' to truly illustrate his god-like prowess and skills on the pitch.

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