Messi made his first-team debut as a 75th minute substitute in a friendly against Porto at just 16 years 4 months and 23 days old! This ladka from La Masia had well and truly arrived.
Led by Frank Rijkaard, he promoted the youngster to Barca’s adult team in 2004. That was the year Messi made his league bow against Espanyol. Just a few months later, on May 1, 2005. The kid scored his first adult goal against Albacete with an assist from Ronaldinho, becoming the club’s youngest ever scorer at the age of 17 years, 3 months and 22 days!
The Dhamakdar Lalit designed by the little magician Messi for Barcelona
Messi’s league titles with Barcelona in 2004-05 and 2005-06 were just the beginning of his journey to greatness. Although Messi missed the 2006 Champions League final through injury, he will soon make his mark.
Against Real Madrid at El Clasico in 2007, the young genius became the first player in 12 years to score a hat-trick! His three equalizers led to a dramatic 3-3 draw. The transition to Rijkaard’s final years, a period of poor nutrition, prompted his exit. But bigger things are in store for Messi, as he inherited the iconic number 10 shirt during the 2008-09 season.
That season was a shock for the Barcelona Messi League! Along with Samuel Eto ‘o and Thierry Henry, Messi was the first to reach a record 100 goals in all competitions. The trio redefined the brilliance of the attack. Setting the stage for more trophies in Messi’s illustrious career with the Catalan giants.
The little magician shows up with a new suit waiting
Although Barcelona won La Liga in 2009, scoring goals remained a major problem for Messi that season. Despite scoring 23 goals in all competitions, his strike rate was chronically below par.
However, under Barcelona’s new coach, those doubts were quickly dispelled. In his first game, Messi scored twice and also provided an assist – his game total almost surpassed that of only one player on the day. Messi immediately delivered on his promise, scoring and assisting in almost every game.
While the pace of scoring has remained consistent for most of the season, Messi’s goal rate now manifests itself in a higher proportion of elegant footwork and fewer purely physical goals. Almost every goal came in a different way – a few through speculative shots from inside the box, but most through creative play.
Messi’s Champions League magic – record legend
In the 2008-09 season, Messi became the youngest-ever top scorer in the Champions League, thus etching his name into Champions League lore. This inspiring performance eventually earned him the Ballon d ‘Or award and the FIFA World Player of the Year award that year.
The following 2009-10 season saw Messi’s genius surpass new heights in the Champions League. He matched Ronaldo’s record of 47 goals in games played for Barca, a club record. In addition, the maestro topped the Champions League and La Liga scoring charts, leading his team to another title in the league while collecting his first European Golden Boot award.
In addition, Messi led Barca to an incredible treble in 2010-11, and their dominance in the Champions League continued unabated. He is the continent’s leading scorer for the third year in a row. He is also La Liga’s top scorer and assists. Incredibly, the trick allowed Messi to surpass Barca’s record for goals scored in a season. A staggering 53 goals in all competitions that season – truly, a Champions League saga of unprecedented splendour!
Messi’s unprecedented dominance – FIFA and UEFA honours Gallore
The 2011-12 season was an extraordinary campaign that showcased Messi’s genius in the club game. He scored a staggering 73 goals and provided 29 assists. Kicking off the campaign with Spain and European Super Cup victories.
To end the year, Messi led Barcelona to the FIFA Club World Cup title. Winning a second Golden Globe in the process. That year, his achievements made him the fourth player to win three FIFA Ballon d ‘Or awards. He also won the inaugural UEFA Best Player Award.
I’ve had the mindblowing fortune of witnessing Messi’s dhamakedar journey – from a La Masia prodigy to the undisputed ‘King’ today. This Argentine genius joined Barca’s academy at 13 and took the world by storm within just 4 years across competitions.During his prolific decade-plus stint with the Catalan giants, Messi etched several immortal chapters. He spearheaded an unprecedented sextuple in 2009 before going on to win La Liga, Champions League and the Golden Shoe in a single season the following year – announcing his arrival as a modern great.
