A modern-day legend widely considered the best of all time played his first match with the Barcelona senior team on this day in 2003.
With 34 trophies to his name, Lionel Messi is one of the most decorated current footballers as well as in the entire history of the game.
However, as impressive as that sounds, it is hardly any indication of the Barcelona superstar’s greatness and the impact he has had not only for his club & country but football in general.
The Argentine forward has set new benchmarks over the years and continues to push boundaries late into his career.
Barcelona all-time top scorer (634), Argentina all-time top scorer, La Liga all-time top scorer (447), Most goals in a calendar year (91), most Ballon d’Or awards (6), most Golden Shoe awards (6) – these only start to highlight the individual accomplishments on his glittering CV.
The 33-year has no shortage of memorable dates in his 17-year-long senior career so far, but November 16 marks a special one.
It was on November 16, 2003, that he first took to the pitch with the Barca first team during a friendly with FC Porto.
Aged 16 years, four months, and 23 days old, Messi, wearing the No.14 shirt, debuted against a side managed by Jose Mourinho as a substitute with around a quarter of an hour remaining on the clock.
Messi’s debut was marred as Barca lost 2-0 away from home, but football has never been the same since that day.
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