While Lamine Yamal has captured global attention by helping Spain win UEFA Euro 2024 at just 17, his Barcelona predecessor Lionel Messi had already compiled an extraordinary list of achievements before the teenager was even born in July 2007.
Messi’s rapid ascent at Camp Nou began with his senior debut against cross-town rivals Espanyol, entering the field as a substitute during a 1-0 victory. He was just 17 years old when he made his first UEFA Champions League appearance, starting a group stage fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Argentine forward opened his Barcelona goalscoring account on 1 May 2005, finding the net against Albacete. That strike proved the precursor to a remarkable trophy haul that would follow before Yamal entered the world.
Early silverware and international glory
Messi secured his first major professional honour when Barcelona clinched the 2004–05 La Liga title, finishing four points clear of Real Madrid. This marked the club’s first league crown since 1999 and the first of back-to-back championships.
On the international stage, Messi captained Argentina to FIFA U-20 World Cup glory in the Netherlands during the summer of 2005. He collected both the Golden Ball as tournament MVP and the Golden Shoe after scoring six goals. His domestic form earned him the 2005 Golden Boy award, beating Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to the title of Europe’s finest young talent.
European success and iconic moments
The 2005-06 season brought further triumph as Messi helped Barcelona lift the UEFA Champions League trophy, defeating Arsenal 2-1 in the Paris final. He contributed one goal and one assist across six appearances in the competition that season.
Domestically, Barcelona retained their La Liga crown and added the Supercopa de España. Messi’s individual brilliance continued to shine through; aged 19, he was voted into the FIFPro World XI by his fellow professionals.
Before Yamal’s birth in July 2007, Messi had also delivered two of his most memorable performances in Clásico history. He scored his first professional hat-trick in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Real Madrid at Camp Nou, salvaging a point for a ten-man Barcelona side. Weeks later, he produced a mesmerizing solo goal against Getafe in the Copa del Rey, running from the halfway line past multiple defenders to draw comparisons with Diego Maradona’s 1986 wonder strike.
By the time Yamal arrived, Messi had already established himself as one of football’s elite talents, setting a formidable benchmark for the next generation of Barcelona stars.