He has had a decorated rugby career, playing for the All Blacks 46 times, including winning a Rugby World Cup title, also claiming two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs and two Commonwealth Games gold medals with the All Blacks Sevens.
After stepping away from the All Blacks in 2015, Messam had stints in the Japanese Top League, represented New Zealand once again at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with the All Blacks Sevens, returned to his beloved Chiefs to become their all-time most-capped player, and headed to France to link up with Toulon in the top 14 before officially retiring from rugby in 2022.