15 years since Messi debuted for Barça

After 672 games and more than 570 goals, it all started for Lionel Messi in a match against Porto in a friendly.

The Portuguese outfit were managed by Jose Mourinho at the time, and was introduced on 75 minutes at the Estadio de Do Dragao.

"He played a really good 15 minutes. He has a really promising future ahead of him" said Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard after the game finished.

Messi himself said after his debut revealed his dream going forward in his career: "Let's hope that I get the chance to play in LaLiga. I never thought that any of this would be possible".

15 years after, with five Ballons d'Or and a host of other records, he has well surpassed those aspirations.

 

November 16, 2018