Reliving Lionel Messi's 5 Most Iconic Moments at Barcelona on the 20th Anniversary of His La Liga Debut

On this very day, 20 years ago, a 17-year-old Lionel Messi made his La Liga debut for FC Barcelona, stepping onto the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys pitch for the first time as a professional footballer. Little did the world know that this small, unassuming boy from Rosario would go on to redefine football and engrave his name into the heart of not just Barcelona fans but every football lover across the globe.

Messi’s journey from a talented youngster to the greatest player of all time is packed with legendary moments that left fans in awe and opponents in disbelief. So, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his La Liga debut, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and relive five of Messi’s most iconic moments in Barcelona colors. 

1) Messi’s First Hat-Trick vs Real Madrid (2007) 

Messi had already made waves by the time the 2006-07 season rolled around, but his performance on March 10, 2007, against Barcelona’s eternal rivals, Real Madrid, was a coming-of-age moment. This was the night Messi fully announced himself on the world stage, scoring his first-ever hat-trick in an El Clásico. It wasn’t just the number of goals but the timing and the importance of each one. 

At just 19 years old, Messi scored three goals to equalize the score for Barcelona in a pulsating 3-3 draw at the Camp Nou. Each goal showcased his immense talent: a perfectly timed run for the first, a clinical finish for the second, and a mesmerizing solo effort for the third, where he danced around the Madrid defense before firing into the net. 

What made it even more special was that Messi’s goals denied Real Madrid a victory in front of a raucous Camp Nou crowd. That night, Messi was no longer just a young prodigy; he had become the heartbeat of Barcelona. It was the moment where fans realized that this little magician wasn’t just another talent—he was a future legend. 

2) The 'Maradona Goal' Against Getafe (2007)  

Just over a month after his first Clásico hat-trick, Messi produced one of the greatest individual goals football has ever seen. On April 18, 2007, during the Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe, Messi scored a goal that eerily mirrored Diego Maradona’s famous “Goal of the Century” from the 1986 World Cup. 

Picking up the ball just inside his own half, Messi glided past no fewer than five Getafe defenders, skipping through challenges with his trademark low center of gravity and astonishing balance, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball home. The resemblance to Maradona’s iconic strike was uncanny—both in the run, the feints, and the ruthless finish. 

In just 12 seconds, Messi encapsulated the brilliance of his idol, Diego Maradona, while showcasing to the world that he was not just following in Maradona’s footsteps—he was forging his own path. This goal was not only jaw-dropping, but it also became a defining image of Messi's genius. 

3) Champions League Final Masterclass vs Manchester United (2009)  

By the time Messi faced Manchester United in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, he was already one of the best players in the world. But this was the match where he truly cemented his status as the best. Playing under Pep Guardiola, Messi was part of a Barcelona side that played some of the most breathtaking football ever seen. They came up against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, a team that boasted stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Ryan Giggs. 

But Messi stole the show with a masterclass in footballing artistry. His performance was highlighted by a stunning header that sealed Barcelona’s 2-0 win and their third Champions League title. Standing at just 5’7”, Messi’s header over the much taller Rio Ferdinand was a moment of pure magic. As he rose to meet Xavi’s cross and guided the ball into the back of the net, Messi silenced any doubters about his ability to perform in the biggest games. This victory also marked the beginning of Barcelona’s dominance in Europe, with Messi at the helm, as well as the start of his fierce rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo for the title of the world’s best player.  

4) Breaking Gerd Müller’s Record: 91 Goals in a Calendar Year (2012)  

2012 was the year Lionel Messi truly left everyone else behind. He scored an astonishing 91 goals across all competitions, breaking the record for most goals in a calendar year, previously held by German legend Gerd Müller (85 goals in 1972). What made this record-breaking feat even more remarkable was the consistency and variety of Messi’s goals. Long-range strikes, free-kicks, solo efforts, tap-ins—Messi could score them all, and he did so week in, week out. He bagged goals in La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and for Argentina. 

The culmination of this insane goalscoring run came on December 9, 2012, when Messi scored twice against Real Betis, breaking Müller’s 40-year-old record. It wasn’t just the sheer number of goals that impressed but the manner in which he achieved them. No other player in history had combined technical mastery, intelligence, and efficiency the way Messi did that year. It was a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, and it left the footballing world in awe. 

5) The "In Your Face" Goal vs Real Madrid (2017 El Clásico)  

If there’s one fixture that defines Messi’s Barcelona career, it’s El Clásico—the fierce rivalry with Real Madrid. Messi has produced countless memorable moments against Los Blancos, but none more iconic than his last-minute winner at the Santiago Bernabéu in April 2017. 

With the score tied at 2-2 and the game heading into stoppage time, Barcelona needed something special to keep their La Liga title hopes alive. In the 92nd minute, Jordi Alba found Messi at the edge of the box, and the Argentine finished with a first-time shot past Keylor Navas. But it wasn’t just the goal that made this moment special—it was Messi’s celebration. 

He ripped off his shirt and held it up to the hostile Bernabéu crowd, displaying his name and number to the stunned Real Madrid fans. It was a moment of defiance, a declaration that this was his stage, his game. Messi had scored his 500th career goal for Barcelona, and he had done it in the most dramatic fashion possible. The image of Messi holding up his shirt has become one of the most iconic in football history and will forever be associated with his legacy. 

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