3 Famous Cricketers Who Share Their Birthdays With Lionel Messi

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Stuart Broad and Lionel Messi [Source: @TheBarmyArmy, @PopBase/x.com]Stuart Broad and Lionel Messi [Source: @TheBarmyArmy, @PopBase/x.com]

Born on June 24 1987, Lionel Messi stands as one of the greatest athletes to have ever graced the earth. The Argentine maestro has redefined the beautiful game of football with his extraordinary dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring abilities. In an illustrious career, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, given to the best footballer of the world after each season, and led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022. 

Beyond his accolades, Messi's journey from a growth hormone-deficient teenager in Rosario to a global superstar inspires millions. Often referred to as the 'God of Football' by his fans, Messi has scored over 800 goals in his career, won numerous titles with three different clubs and finally found international success with Argentina. What many don't realize is that June 24 has produced exceptional talent beyond football.

1. Stuart Broad (England)

Stuart Broad, born on June 24, 1986, became one of England's most successful fast bowlers. The right-arm pacer finished a legendary Test career with 604 wickets in 167 matches. This made him England's second-highest wicket-taker in the history of the format.

A hero of many tales, Broad will be remembered for his efficiency despite not being an express fast bowler. He retired in 2023 with a fairytale ending by taking a wicket with his final ball at the iconic Oval.

2. Vernon Philander (South Africa)

Vernon Philander [Source: @cricketcomau/x.com]Vernon Philander [Source: @cricketcomau/x.com]

One of South Africa's most accurate bowlers, Vernon Philander, also shares his birthday with Lionel Messi. Born on June 24, 1985, his incredible start saw him reach 50 Test wickets in just seven matches, the second-fastest in the history of the game.

The right-arm medium pacer troubled batters worldwide with his accuracy and swing. His efficiency saw Philander ranked among the top-ranked bowlers globally almost for the majority of his career. The medium pacer played a crucial role in South Africa's dominance during the early 2010s before he hung up his boots in 2020.

3. Graham McKenzie (Australia)

One of Australia's premier first bowlers during the 1960s, Graham McKenzie, was born on June 24, 1941. Although he was born about 46 years before Messi, the sporting brilliance resonates across decades. Nicknamed 'Garth', McKenzie bridged the gap between Alan Davidson and Dennis Lillee, maintaining the continuity of Australian pace bowling excellence. 

McKenzie's muscular build and wicket-taking efficiency on batting-friendly made him stand out. The pacer won the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1965 and finished his career with 246 Test wickets in 60 matches.

Other Notable June 24 Cricketers

Several other cricketers share this birthday, including Aimal Khan (Pakistan), Ramone Francis (West Indies), Dave Orchard (Australia), Brenton Parchment (West Indies), Darren Bicknell (England), Birgit Viguurs (Netherlands), Avril Fahey (Australia), and Jackson Latham (New Zealand), making June 24 a remarkably productive date for cricket talent.