FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.04.2007 17:04

And it’s not the first

Leo Messi has been delighting Barça fans with his goals since he signed for the Club at the tender age of 13. In just two years with the senior squad he has become a recognised star of world football.

Messi's wonder goal against Getafe has resonated around the world but it’s not the first time he has provoked similar reactions. His goals against Recreativo and, especially the third goal against Real Madrid, were widely admired. The fact is, ever since he joined FC Barcelona in 2000, he’s scored many fantastic goals.

From Newell’s to Barça

Leo Messi, who first came to the attention of the Barça scouts when he was with the youth squads of Newell’s Old Boys, signed for Barça at the beginning of the 2000/01 season. He was only 13 years old but displayed tremendous natural talent - pace, passing ability, dribbling skill - and in only five seasons he worked his way up to the reserve squad, Barça B.

First team star

His progress once he made the breakthrough into the senior squad was even more impressive than his rise through the youth squads. He made his competitive debut on 16th October 2004 and that very same season, on 1st May 2005, he became the youngest ever Barça player to score in the league. His goal against Albacete was the appetiser for even greater things to come.

The world discovers him

In the 2005/06 season, Messi became known to a wider audience with some wonderful performances against Juventus (2-2, in the Joan Gamper tournament), against Real Madrid in the Bernabéu (0-3) and against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (1-2). An unfortunate muscle injury towards the end of the season kept him out of the Paris Champions league final. He scored 8 goals and took part in 25 matches.

In form after injury

After a promising start to this season, the 19-year-old Leo Messi suffered a foot injury that kept him sidelined for three months. Soon after making his comeback, he produced a fantastic performance against Real Madrid to score a hat trick. In the following match, against Recreativo Huelva, he scored another sensational goal. His latest effort against Getafe makes it abundantly clear that he’s in great form and can only get better.