Now nearing the top of his skilled profession, Lionel Messi stays a worldwide soccer celebrity. Nonetheless, that hasn’t made him overlook the start of his journey — his first look as an expert with Barcelona in La Liga.
This Thursday marked the anniversary of the Argentine ahead’s debut with Los Blaugranas on October 16, 2004. To commemorate that historic match — one which modified not solely his life however the sport itself — Messi shared a publish on his official Instagram account.
“21 years already… wonderful,” was the temporary message Leo selected to accompany two images from that day. Within the first one, he’s seen sporting the quantity 30 jersey he used throughout his rookie season, earlier than switching to 19, and ultimately to the long-lasting quantity 10. Within the second picture, he’s standing subsequent to the fourth official, ready to return on, because the substitution board is held up.
Certainly, the journey from that second to right now appears to have flown by. That October 16, 2004, Messi stepped onto the sphere for his first official La Liga look — in none apart from a derby in opposition to Espanyol, changing Deco in what ended as a 1–0 victory.
Ronaldinho and Messi taking part in for Barcelona.
His Instagram publish instantly sparked world fan response. In simply over an hour, greater than 2 million followers had appreciated the publish, and almost 60,000 left supportive feedback for the Argentine star.
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Messi modified Barcelona’s historical past eternally
Till 2004, Barcelona had been firmly amongst Spain’s elite, however far behind Actual Madrid by way of world status, and with solely a modest European observe file. In truth, that they had received the UEFA Champions League simply as soon as — in 1992 beneath head coach Johan Cruyff.
However the whole lot modified after Messi’s debut. Simply two years later, the group conquered Europe once more, led by Ronaldinho and boosted by Leo’s emergence. Following the Brazilian attacking midfielder’s departure in 2008 and the arrival of Pep Guardiola as coach, the Argentine ahead turned the undisputed star of the group.
Throughout 17 seasons with Barcelona, Messi broke almost each doable file: most appearances (778), most targets (672), most assists (269), and most trophies (34). He received the Champions League 4 instances and was a part of a number of the most iconic groups in soccer historical past.
Why did Messi go away Barcelona?
After greater than a decade of success, Barcelona entered a interval of decline fueled by poor govt choices. The departure of key gamers — together with Neymar, who left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 — wasn’t adopted by efficient reinforcements, main the membership to spend closely on gamers who didn’t ship on the sphere.
These and different missteps led to monetary instability, which steadily impacted the standard of the squad and its outcomes. In that context, Barcelona’s monetary troubles compelled membership president Joan Laporta to make an unthinkable choice: stroll away from Lionel Messi’s contract renewal.
Because of this, the Argentine ahead turned a free agent on June 30, 2021. After an emotional farewell press convention, the place he bid goodbye in tears, he signed with Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal. Since then, Messi has by no means stepped foot on the Camp Nou pitch once more — and certain by no means will as an expert participant.
