Looking back at the 16-year journey of legendary Messi at Barca

The Barcelona – Lionel Messi relationship is facing the possibility of stopping at the 16th year.

Photo: Insider

After 16 years playing for Barcelona’s first team , Lionel Messi decided to leave. With the Catalan team, Messi won the Champions League 4 times, the King’s Cup 6 times, La Liga 10 times and many other glories.

In 16 years (19 years since he started at La Masia Academy), Messi has turned himself into a legend at Camp Nou, one of the greatest players in the world with a total of 634 goals in 731 matches for Barca.

There are many glories but also many low notes. Let’s look back at Messi’s 16 years at Camp Nou through his images each year.

2003: At the age of 16, Messi made his Barca debut in a friendly against Porto. Photo: Insider

2004: After nearly a year playing for Barca B, at the age of 17, Messi became the youngest player in Barca’s history to play an official match for the club. Photo: Insider

2005: On his 18th birthday, Messi signs his first professional contract with the first team and then wins a regular starting position. Photo: Insider

2006: Despite Barca’s difficult period, Messi still had 17 goals to prove he was a real star at the age of 19. Photo: Insider

2007: Spanish media hailed Messi as the “Messiah” after he finished third in the Ballon d’Or and second in the FIFA Player of the Year award at just 20 years old. Photo: Insider

2008: After Ronaldinho left, Messi received the number 10 shirt for Barca and once again finished in the Top 3 in 2 prestigious individual title races. Photo: Insider

2009: Messi won his first Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, with a 240-point lead in the France Football award. Photo: Insider

2010: Although Argentina’s national team had to say goodbye to the World Cup early, Messi’s scoring efficiency at Barca was enough to help him win the Ballon d’Or for the second consecutive year. Photo: Insider

2011: Messi won the third Ballon d’Or after 43 goals and 21 assists in 47 matches for Barca. Photo: Insider

2012: Another year Messi was honored to become the first and only person to date to win the Ballon d’Or in 4 consecutive years. Photo: Insider

2013: Messi captained Barca for the first time, but injuries marred his season and he finished behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or vote. Photo: insider

2014: Messi becomes the player with the most goals in La Liga history, surpassing the record of 251 goals set by legend Telmo Zarra. Photo: Insider

2015: With 48 goals this year, Messi helped Barca win La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, European Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and himself won his fifth Ballon d’Or. Photo: Insider

2016: Messi scored 51 goals to become the best scorer of the year in Europe but still finished behind Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Ball. Photo: Insider

2017: Messi had one of the most memorable moments of his career when he scored in injury time in El Clasico, his 500th career goal, and celebrated by holding his shirt up in front of the Real Madrid fans. Photo: Insider

2018: For the first time since 2009, Messi is not in the top 2 of the Ballon d’Or race, despite scoring more goals than any other player in the world. Photo: Insider

2019: Messi won his sixth Ballon d’Or after winning his 10th La Liga title and becoming the top scorer in the Champions League and Europe. Photo: Insider

2020: Messi scores his 630th goal for Barca. But after the 2-8 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the Argentine striker shocked everyone by announcing his intention to leave Barca. Photo: Insider

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