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It’s been 20 years since Lionel Messi’s official debut at FC Barcelona

Two decades ago, a scrawny, left-footed teenager stepped onto the Camp Nou grass for the first time, officially making his debut for FC Barcelona. Little did the world know, Lionel Messi’s journey from La Masia youth academy to global superstar was about to begin. This article revisits the momentous occasion of Messi’s debut, tracing his incredible rise and exploring the enduring legacy he has built at Barcelona and beyond.

A look back at the journey of a legend from La Masia to global icon

At 37 years old, Lionel Messi he shone with three goals and two assists in the 6-0 victory of the Argentine National Team against Bolivia, at home, in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The stadium surrendered at his feet and the Rosario native made all his experience count. It seems impossible to remember that he was once an introverted child taking his first steps in the FC Barcelona, where he became a legend. But it was like that. And today marks 20 years of a historic day.

It was the seventh round of the Spanish league. The FC Barcelona he visited the classic of his city, Espanyol, at the old Olimpic Lluis Company stadium. In the 11 of the Barça team, important names Deco, Samuel Eto’o, Carles Puyol, Ronaldinho; and on the substitutes’ bench, a 17-year-old boy who still did not know if it would be his afternoon. Frank Rijkaard was the coach of the Blaugrana and Lionel Messi the boy who was waiting for the order to enter from him. Order that would come in the 82nd minute; an order that would change football forever.

Together with Rijkaard, with whom he also won his first UEFA Champions League.

At 37 years old, Lionel Messi he shone with three goals and two assists in the 6-0 victory of the Argentine National Team against Bolivia, at home, in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
At 37 years old, Lionel Messi he shone with three goals and two assists in the 6-0 victory of the Argentine National Team against Bolivia, at home, in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The match began with an early goal by Deco in the 9th minute after an assist from Eto’o and that result lasted throughout the match. In the second half, the scorer of the goal seemed tired and Rijkaard was ready to get his hands on. He took the Portuguese off in the 82nd minute and in his place a Argentinian brunette with high socks, a T-shirt inside, a stripe that divided his hair and a little characteristic number on his back: No. 30. The incidence was low. The rival goalkeeper Carlos Kameni took the only ball that seemed clear from his head and, in the last of the match, he could not make an attack on the right prosper.

Final whistle. “Barça 1-0 against Espanyol,” said the graphs. Only a few rescued that it had also been the official debut of a certain Messi; they didn’t know “who” he was yet. They were not to blame. La Pulga had made his debut on November 16, 2003 unofficially in a 2-0 away defeat against Porto that, curiously, was coached by José Mourinho; a DT that he would face a lot. It took 11 months for the Rosario native to step on the pitch in an official duel. That afternoon against Espanyol, at the age of 17 years and 114 days, Messi he became the youngest player to make his debut at Barça. Until then, of course, because then he was surpassed by Marc Muniesa, Gavi, Bojan Krkic, Pau Cubarsí, Ansu Fati and Lamine Yamal and today he is seventh on the list.

Messi in Rosario, before emigrating to Spain (Via: X).

“I will remember these 10 minutes for the rest of my life, I am very happy,” he said timidly on the 30th after the Barça victory, before giving his shirt to a very special person: Celia María Cuccittini, his mother, who had followed him from Rosario. Coach Rijkaard made it clear that his entry was not a “prize” and supported him from that day on. “Players in the lower divisions can play at any time. If it wasn’t, I’d summon my friends. Lionel’s entry was not a prize, but a deserved one for his quality and because I saw Deco a little tired. Messi he’s left-handed, He has a very good dribble inside and can kick with his left foot.” Of course, not much more was known then than his left foot…

This was Messi's debut
This was Messi’s debut

This was Messi’s debut

At Espanyol There were five Argentines like him who had the privilege of witnessing that unforgettable October 16, 2004. Mauricio Pochettino, Hugo Ibarra and Maximiliano Rodríguez were starters for the home team and, although they could not have foreseen the importance of that match, today they can boast of having been part of an indelible memory in the memory of football fans. It was not long before the Flea became Messi.

And until Messi He became the best in the world. Five years after his debut, he was already lifting his first Ballon d’Or, in 2009. The league titles, the four UEFA Champions Leagues, the goals, the Copa America arrived… the Qatar 2022 World Cup. That one against Espanyol was followed by another 1075 games, 843 goals and a story worthy of a legend. But whose first page will always be the same: the one written on October 16, 2004.

When did Lionel Messi officially debut for FC Barcelona?
When did Lionel Messi officially debut for FC Barcelona?

People Also Ask:

1. When did Lionel Messi officially debut for FC Barcelona?

Lionel Messi officially debuted for FC Barcelona on October 16, 2004, against Espanyol in a La Liga match.

2. Where was Lionel Messi born?

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina.

3. What is Lionel Messi’s playing position?

Lionel Messi primarily plays as a forward, often deployed as a left winger or as a central attacking midfielder.

4. What major trophies has Lionel Messi won with FC Barcelona?

During his time at FC Barcelona, Messi won a staggering number of trophies, including:

  • 10 La Liga titles
  • 7 Copa del Rey titles
  • 4 UEFA Champions League titles
  • 3 FIFA Club World Cup titles

5. What is Lionel Messi’s nickname?

Lionel Messi is commonly known as “La Pulga” (The Flea) due to his small stature and incredible dribbling skills.

Let me know if you’d like more information about Lionel Messi!

 

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Публикация от Leo Messi (@leomessi)

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