21 years since Lionel Messi’s first professional goal
The Beginning of a Legend
Lionel Messi has scored 905 goals as a professional, but every story has a beginning. Leo’s started on May 1, 2005, in Barcelona, during a match against Albacete and Barcelona. That day, “La Pulga” officially introduced himself to the world with his first professional goal.
It was matchday 34 of LaLiga, and Barcelona hosted Albacete at the Camp Nou. The match was not easy for the team coached by Frank Rijkaard, and they went into halftime level at 0-0. In the second half, Samuel Eto’o stepped up to score the 1-0 goal and bring calm to the Blaugrana side.
The goal that changed history
It was in the 85th minute when Frank Rijkaard decided to bring on a young Lionel Messi, who was just beginning to attract attention within the club. Wearing the number “30” on his back, the Argentine stepped onto the pitch and did not take long to showcase his talent.
Three minutes after coming on, he received a brilliant pass from Ronaldinho and finished with a delicate chip over the opposing goalkeeper. The stadium erupted, but the referee ruled it offside. The goal did not count, but it left an image that already hinted at the future awaiting the Argentine.
But football had another moment in store for him. Shortly after, Ronaldinho once again found him with a perfect pass. Lionel Messi went one-on-one against Raúl Valbuena and this time he did not miss. He calmly finished to score his first official professional goal. The celebration was also unforgettable: Ronaldinho carrying Lionel Messi, as if showing the Camp Nou that he was the chosen one who would lead them to glory. The mentor embracing the student.
That goal not only marked the beginning of a legendary career, it also made him the youngest player to score in LaLiga at that time, at 17 years and 10 months old.
It was the first of 672 goals in a Barcelona shirt. Lionel Messi went on to become the club’s all-time top scorer, surpassing César Rodríguez, who had 272 goals. He completely transformed the history of the Catalan club and built an era like no other.
It all began that night at the Camp Nou, with a pass from Ronaldinho and a young Argentine who did not yet know he was taking the first step toward eternity.
