The Racial Ancestry of Lionel Messi: Unveiling the Facts

Often mistaken for a mestizo, Lionel Messi, the celebrated Argentine footballer, is, in fact, of white European descent. This article delves into the racial background of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) footballer, Messi, examining the claims around his ethnicity.

Who is Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport, was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. He is a forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Argentina national team, and is the GOAT in the eyes of many football enthusiasts.

The Claims and Counts

Some report that Messi looks mestizo, suggesting a mix of European, Indigenous, and Amerindian ancestry. However, several sources, including Ethnicity of Celebs, assert that all of Messi's ancestors were born in Europe, indicating that he has no Amerindian DNA, and thus is classified as a pure white guy.

Family Heritage

Messi's father, Jorge Messi, is of Spanish and Italian ancestry, while his mother, Celia Cuccitte, is of Spanish, Italian, and Indigenous Argentine ancestry. Given the sources, it's highly likely that Messi is predominantly of European descent, thought to be 90 percent or more.

Scientific Classification of Race

Identifying someone's race based on their appearance alone can be problematic. However, for the purposes of genetic and scientific classification, Lionel Messi is considered to be of European descent. The genetic makeup of many Argentinians, including Messi, is predominantly European. This is in contrast to other Latin American countries such as Peru, Guatemala, or Bolivia, where mestizo ancestry is more common.

Amerindian Ancestry

There are reports of potential Amerindian ancestry in Messi's family. It has been suggested that he may have approximately 5 percent Indigenous ancestry, potentially due to colonial influences.

Visual Evidence and Comparison

Multiple visual comparisons have been made to highlight the European features of Messi. For instance, when comparing Messi with other Italian and Spanish figures such as Antonio Conte and Alonso and Morata, the visual similarities in complexion and features are striking. In essence, if Messi were not a world-renowned footballer, he would likely be recognized as distinctly white.

Latin American Heritage

While many people in Latin America may identify as mestizo or people of mixed European and Indigenous heritage, it's important to recognize that many are, in fact, predominantly white. The term White Latino exists, just as there are Black Latinos, East Asian Latinos, and others. Messi's background aligns with this category.

Conclusion

Lionel Messi's racial background is more accurately described as predominantly European rather than mestizo. While there may be a small percentage of Indigenous ancestry, if any, the overwhelming majority of his genetic heritage in modern times is European. This fact underscores the importance of precision in racial classifications and the nuanced nature of mixed heritage in Latin America.