On 16th October 2004, Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi made his Barcelona first-team debut in a 1-0 win against Espanyol.
The Argentine international joined the Catalan giants in 2001 moving from his native town to join the Spain-based club.
Messi rapidly progressed through the youth ranks of La Masia and gained his first-team call-up under the guide of Frank Rijkaard.
It came in the 2004/2005 season when Barça beat cross-town rivals RCD Espanyol, 1–0, at the Estadi Lluís Companys on Montjuic in Barcelona.
In the 82nd minute, Messi, who wore the number 30 came on for Deco, the game’s lone goal scorer.
Messi was 17 years, 3 months, and 22 days old.
Messi made seven more appearances for the first team that season before eventually establishing himself as a regular team player and now arguably the best player to grace world football.
Since his debut 15 years ago, Messi has made 692 appearances for the club and scored 604 times.
15 years ago he debuted with the first team … Today he will receive his sixth #GoldenShoe ✨
The best in history. pic.twitter.com/SVeQLEVosO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 16, 2019
A superb pass from Ronaldinho to Lionel Messi on 1 May 2005, saw the Argentine score his first-ever goal for Barcelona.
Fifteen years on, after his finish against Albacete, the player is La Liga’s all-time goal scorer – surpassing Telmo Zarra’s 50-year record in November 2014 – and he has more than 400 for the club.
Lionel Messi has helped his side to 34 trophies, including 10 La Liga triumphs and four Champions Leagues.
Messi has also won five Ballon d’Or awards among other international laurels worldwide including the most recent, FIFA The Best Award beating rival, Ronaldo and Van Dijk to it.
Indeed it has been a successful 15 years of beautiful football as the 32-year-old has dazzled fans across the club with his quick feet, powerful free-kicks and amazing curlers.
Lifting trophies and bringing joy to the world, pure ecstasy and amusement for everyone who beholds the magician anytime he is at work.