November 16, 2003, marked the beginning of an unforgettable era in FC Barcelona's history. In a friendly against Porto during the inauguration of the Estádio do Dragão, a 16-year-old named Lionel Messi made his debut with the first team under Frank Rijkaard’s management. Wearing the number 14 jersey, the young Argentine talent replaced Fernando Navarro in the 71st minute. Although Barça lost 2-0 that day, the match became the opening chapter of a career that would redefine football.

Messi, a product of La Masía, began a journey that would make him the club’s most iconic figure. Over 17 seasons, he played 778 official matches and scored 672 goals, achieving an astonishing average of 0.86 goals per game. These numbers not only established Messi as Barça’s all-time top scorer but also as the player with the most appearances in the club’s history.

Messi’s story with Barça is filled with collective triumphs and individual accolades. Among his most notable titles are 10 La Liga trophies, four Champions League victories, and three FIFA Club World Cups, among others. During the 2008/09 season, he led the team to its first-ever treble under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, cementing his place among football’s elite.

On a personal level, the Argentine star earned eight Ballon d’Or awards and six Golden Shoes as Europe’s top scorer. His impact on the game and ability to reinvent himself place him as a once-in-a-lifetime player in the sport’s history.

However, Messi’s relationship with Barça came to an end in the summer of 2021. The Argentine left the club after breaking every conceivable record, leaving an eternal legacy and solidifying himself as an enduring symbol of Barça.

Twenty-one years after that debut in Portugal, the world remembers how a shy teenager with a magical left foot became the greatest player to ever grace a football pitch.