At just 17 years, three months, and 22 days old, Lionel Messi makes his official league debut for Barcelona, coming on as a substitute late in the game. against Espanyol. At the time, he becomes the youngest player to represent the club in an official game after joining the club’s famed La Masia academy in 2000, moving from Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys as a 13-year-old.
20 defining moments from his career so far
![](https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/08/sport/lionel-messi-career-barcelona-spt-intl/media/images/card.jpg)