Lionel messi biography 2013 honda

First Years (2004-2008)

Messi was promoted to the senior squad as a teenager and made his first team debut at only 17 years old, becoming the then youngest player to don the FC Barcelona uniform.

Messi played his first official match for the club on October 16, 2004, coming on for Deco in the 82nd minute of a LaLiga fixture against Espanyol. That season, Messi also became the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Spanish top-flight.

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A Big Decision: Argentina or Spain?

Messi’s progress at the Catalan outfit caught the eye of the Spanish national team, which tried to convince him to represent its youth teams.

Messi, who had been given Spanish citizenship, declined the offer as he remained attached to his Argentine roots.

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Nightmare International Debut

Having helped La Albiceleste win the U-20 World Cup, Messi made his senior international debut for Argentina in a friendly match on August 1