When did Messi join Barcelona? The beginning of a Legend
Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players in the history of world football, leaving a deep impression on fans with his top performances. For more than two decades, he has been with and become a great symbol of Barcelona. However, not everyone knows clearly about the special journey that helped Barcelona discover Messi as well as the historic decision that changed both his career and the fate of the Catalan team. Let’s learn with Premiumsoccertips about the time when did messi join barcelona and the important turning points that made him a legend of football.
When did Messi join Barcelona?
Natural talent in Argentina
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. From a very young age, he showed a special talent with the ball and joined the youth academy of Newell’s Old Boys club at the age of 6. Here, Messi did not take long to become the brightest star of the youth team.
However, at the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, a disease that can slow down his physical development. To treat this disease, Messi needs daily growth hormone injections at a cost of up to $ 1,000 per month. For Messi’s family, this is a huge amount of money that they cannot afford for a long time.
The Chance with Barcelona
When Messi reached a crucial age for his career, his family looked for clubs that could support his medical expenses. Several Argentinean clubs, including River Plate, showed interest in Messi but could not meet the financial requirements. This was when Barcelona appeared and changed the life of the boy from Rosario.
Through some connections, Messi’s talent reached the ears of Carles Rexach – Barcelona’s sporting director at the time. After watching video footage of Messi, Barcelona decided to send the boy to Spain for a trial in 2000. When witnessing Messi’s performance in training sessions at La Masia, Barcelona’s coaching staff immediately realized they had a gem in their hands.
The Napkin Contract
According to a famous anecdote, Barcelona did not have the paperwork to sign a contract at the time, so Carles Rexach wrote the historic contract on a napkin, pledging that the club would sign Messi and cover all his medical expenses. This bold decision helped Barcelona own one of the greatest players in football history.
Messi and his family decided to move to Spain, opening a new chapter in his career. In 2001, Messi officially joined the La Masia training academy – the place that has produced many of the world’s top football stars.
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Messi Barcelona Career
La Masia’s meteoric rise
At La Masia, Messi quickly established himself as a formidable talent. He possessed superb technique, incredible speed and an excellent goal-scoring ability. With guidance from top coaches, Messi developed into a complete player and was promoted to the first team before he turned 17.
On 16 October 2004, Messi made his Barcelona debut against Espanyol in La Liga. A year later, he scored his first goal for Barcelona at the age of 17, ushering in a glorious era at Camp Nou.
Amazing scoring records
From the 2008-09 season, under the guidance of coach Pep Guardiola, Messi rose to become a world football superstar. He became a key factor in Barcelona winning the historic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League) in his first season under Guardiola. Messi continued to maintain his impressive form for more than a decade, continuously scoring over 30 goals per season and in some years reaching over 50 goals.
In total, in 17 years with Barcelona, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 matches, becoming the player with the most goals in the club’s history.
Messi influence on Barcelona and world football
Bringing Barcelona to the top of the world
Thanks to Messi’s contribution, Barcelona won a total of 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles and a series of other titles. He became the symbol of the team, the soul of Barcelona’s famous tiki-taka style of play under Pep Guardiola.
Global influence
Not only helping Barcelona conquer titles, Messi also has a profound influence on the world of football. He has become a symbol of hard work, effort and natural talent. The consecutive Ballon d’Or titles prove that Messi is not only an excellent player but also a living legend of modern football.
Off the pitch, Messi also has a strong commercial influence. He is the representative of many big brands such as Adidas, Pepsi, and Huawei, and is a familiar face in global football promotion campaigns.
Messi leaves Barcelona and his legacy
After more than 20 years of association, Lionel Messi was forced to leave Barcelona in the summer of 2021 due to the club’s serious financial problems. His departure not only marked a sad chapter in the history of the Catalan team but also left many regrets for fans around the world.
Messi is not only the player who scored the most goals and won the most titles in Barcelona’s history, but also a great symbol who contributed to shaping the team’s style of play and identity. He is an endless source of inspiration for millions of football lovers, from his moments of genius on the pitch to his relentless dedication. The legacy that Messi left at Barcelona is not only in the statistics but also in the far-reaching influence, making him the greatest legend of the club.
To Wrap It Up
So through the above article, we have answered your question about when did messi join barcelona? Lionel Messi joined Barcelona in 2000 at the age of 13, opening a legendary journey. From a boy with physical difficulties, Messi rose to become one of the greatest players in football history. His appearance not only changed Barcelona but also influenced the world of football. Messi’s records and titles will forever be an unforgettable part of football history. Wish you a happy new day!
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