Lionel Messi is considered by many to be the greatest football player of all time. The Argentine star has broken numerous records and won countless trophies during his illustrious career. However, away from the pitch, Messi’s personal life and background have also garnered much interest from fans and media alike. One aspect that people are often curious about is Messi’s religion and beliefs.
So what religion is Lionel Messi? Let’s take a look:
Lionel Messi’s Religious Background?
Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina in 1987 to a Catholic family. His father Jorge Horacio Messi was of Italian and Spanish descent, while his mother Celia María Cuccittini was of Italian ancestry. Both were practicing Catholics who brought up Lionel and his siblings in the Catholic faith.
Messi was baptized and had his first communion in keeping with Catholic traditions. As a child, he would often attend mass with his family on Sundays. Rosario, his hometown, is known for its strong Catholic roots as well.
So Lionel Messi grew up immersed in the Catholic culture and regularly took part in rituals and sacraments of the Catholic church. Religion has always been a part of his upbringing and family life.
Does Lionel Messi Still Practice Catholicism?
Despite his Catholic upbringing, Lionel Messi himself does not seem to be a devout practitioner of the faith now. He seldom talks about his personal religious beliefs in public.
Messi appears to have moved away from actively practicing Catholicism as an adult. He no longer attends weekly mass or participates in Catholic rituals consistently.
However, he has not openly renounced his Catholic faith either. He maintains a respectful distance from religion instead of being an atheist. Messi prefers to focus on football and family over any strong religious affiliations now.
Has Lionel Messi Spoken About His Beliefs?
Lionel Messi rarely discusses faith openly. But a few years ago, he gave a rare insight into his beliefs in an interview.
Messi revealed that he does believe in God, especially after becoming a father. Having children strengthened his spiritual side and made him reflect more on life.
However, he is not dogmatic about any particular religion or church. Messi does not conform to all the rigid rules and rituals of Catholicism anymore. Instead, he likes to keep an open mind about faith.
So while Messi does believe in God, he does not follow Catholicism devoutly now. He even said that his children can choose their own religious beliefs when they grow up.
Does Lionel Messi’s Lifestyle Reflect His Faith?
Lionel Messi may believe in God in a general sense, but he does not lead the typical lifestyle of a devout Catholic.
For instance, premarital sex and having children out of wedlock are considered taboo in the Catholic church. But Messi has been in a long-term relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo since 2008. He had all his children with Roccuzzo years before they finally married in 2017.
Messi also has multiple tattoos on his body, which is frowned upon by staunch Catholics. Getting inked is often deemed a vice and prohibited. But the soccer star has never abided by such religious restrictions.
In essence, Messi feels free to live his life as he wishes despite his upbringing. He does not allow Catholic dogma to dictate his actions or family life. Religious duties take a backseat to his personal choices.
Does Lionel Messi Donate or Do Charity Work For Any Religious Organization?
Throughout his career, Lionel Messi has been involved in several charities and philanthropic efforts worldwide. Most of his charitable endeavors are focused on helping vulnerable children.
In 2007, Messi established the Leo Messi Foundation to give opportunities to disadvantaged youth. He has also been a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF since 2010. His donations have helped UNICEF support many children in need.
However, Lionel Messi does not form alliances with faith-based charities overtly. None of the major causes he supports are affiliated strictly with the Catholic church or religious groups. His altruistic work is aligned with secular humanitarian organizations.
So while Messi does a lot of charity, it is not motivated or influenced by any particular religious beliefs. His philanthropy is aimed at social causes that resonate with his personal values.
Has Lionel Messi Faced Controversies Related to Religion?
For the most part, Lionel Messi’s religious affiliation or lack thereof has not resulted in any major controversies. Being from a Catholic background, he has mainly faced some criticism in the Spanish press about not getting married to Antonella Roccuzzo earlier or not baptizing his children as infants per Catholic custom.
But these issues were not significant enough to cause any long-term controversy or tarnish his reputation. Messi has avoided getting drawn into any major religious disputes or scandals.
He takes a diplomatically neutral stance on faith related matters. Off the field controversies involving Messi relate mainly to legal cases on tax evasion or his transfer activities rather than religious factors.
Overall, he has managed to steer clear of any volatile religious issues that could have threatened his illustrious career.
Conclusion
To conclude, Lionel Messi grew up as a Catholic but does not actively practice the faith anymore. He believes in God but is not committed to any particular religion. Messi neither endorses nor denounces Catholicism vocally.
His lifestyle and philanthropic choices reflect secular humanitarian values rather than strict religious influences. So while his origins are Catholic, Messi prefers to keep his exact beliefs private and flexible. Ultimately, he is dedicated wholeheartedly to football rather than any religion now.
There is no doubt that Messi has devoted his youth to his football career. He is great and miraculous. Do you have the same endless love for football as Messi? I believe that you will organize some football games with your friends in your spare time.
If you want to inspire the enthusiasm of participating football fans and enhance team cohesion, you can choose to customize some Soccer Medals as motivational gifts for winning. They will make the game more meaningful.
FAQs About Lionel Messi’s Religion
Does Lionel Messi believe in God?
Yes, Lionel Messi has said in interviews that he does believe in God, especially after becoming a father. He credits God when good things happen in his life. However, he does not conform to all aspects of Catholicism rigidly. His spiritual beliefs are quite open and personal.
What church does Lionel Messi go to?
Lionel Messi does not attend church regularly anymore. He went to Catholic mass with his family as a child. But as an adult, he does not go to church often or follow Catholic rituals strictly. He takes a more flexible approach to religion instead of being a devout church-goer.
Is Lionel Messi an atheist?
No, Lionel Messi is not an atheist. He has explicitly mentioned his belief in God in past interviews. But he refrains from identifying with any particular organized religion closely now. Messi maintains an ambiguous stance – he believes in God but does not actively practice Catholicism.
Does Lionel Messi celebrate Christmas?
Yes, Lionel Messi does celebrate Christmas – it is a part of his family tradition. But for him, it is more of a social festival than a strictly religious observance. Messi likes to celebrate Christmas along with his wife and children in Argentina or Spain. It is an opportunity for family gatherings.
Does Lionel Messi drink alcohol?
Lionel Messi does not drink excessively but does indulge in alcohol occasionally or socially. During celebrations, he enjoys drinking beer or wine in moderation despite the religious prohibition against alcohol. Messi is not bound by the rigid restrictions of Catholicism when it comes to lifestyle choices.