Messi (Brazilian footballer)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Messi

| fullname = Jamerson Michel da Costa

| image =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|7|10|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Parnamirim, Brazil

| height = 1.78 m

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2009-2010 | clubs1 = Palmeira de Goianinha | caps1 = | goals1 =

| years2 = 2011 | clubs2 = Potiguar de Parnamirim | caps2 = | goals2 =

| years3 = 2012–2013 | clubs3 = Palmeira de Goianinha | caps3 = | goals3 =

| years4 = 2013 | clubs4 = Coríntians de Caicó | caps4 = | goals4 =

| years5 = 2013 | clubs5 = Currais Novos | caps5 = | goals5 =

| years6 = 2014 | clubs6 = Palmeira de Goianinha | caps6 = | goals6 =

| years7 = 2014 | clubs7 = Globo | caps7 = | goals7 =

| years8 = 2014 | clubs8 = Força e Luz | caps8 = | goals8 =

| years9 = 2015 | clubs9 = Globo | caps9 = | goals9 =

| years10 = 2015 | clubs10 = ASSU | caps10 = | goals10 =

| years11 = 2016–2017 | clubs11 = Alecrim | caps11 = | goals11 =

| years12 = 2017–2019 | clubs12 = Palmeira de Goianinha | caps12 = | goals12 =

| years13 = 2019 | clubs13 = Atlético Potengi | caps13 = | goals13 =

}}

Jamerson Michel da Costa (born 10 July 1985), better known as Messi, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Career

The first professional goalkeeper for Palmeira de Goianinha, Messi was successful on social media due to his unusual nickname alongside other club players, such as defenders Zig Zig and Pedro Pancada. During his career, he played for several clubs in Rio Grande do Norte, being part of the Globo squad that played in Campeonato Brasileiro Série D.{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/rn/noticia/2013/03/idolo-do-palmeira-rn-goleiro-messi-agora-vai-defender-o-corintians-rn.html |title=Ídolo do Palmeira-RN, goleiro Messi agora vai defender o Corintians-RN |website=GloboEsporte |date=15 March 2013 |access-date=21 November 2023 |language=pt}}{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/rn/futebol/campeonato-potiguar/noticia/messi-salva-palmeira-rn-vence-forca-e-luz-e-mantem-esperanca-por-final.ghtml |title=Messi salva, Palmeira-RN vence Força e Luz e mantém esperança por final |website=GloboEsporte |date=7 February 2019 |access-date=21 November 2023 |language=pt}}

Personal life

In 2010, Messi became the first Brazilian professional player on record to come out as homosexual while still pursuing his career.{{cite web|url=https://ge.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2010/10/goleiro-assume-homossexualidade-e-enfrenta-preconceito-no-interior-do-rn.html |title=Goleiro assume homossexualidade e enfrenta preconceito no interior do RN |website=GloboEsporte |date=8 October 2010 |access-date=21 November 2023 |language=pt}}{{cite web|url=https://tribunadonorte.com.br/esportes/palmeira-de-goianinha-derruba-preconceito-e-tem-goleiro-homossexual/ |title=Palmeira de Goianinha derruba preconceito e tem goleiro homossexual |website=Tribuna do Norte |date=13 September 2010 |access-date=21 November 2023 |language=pt}}