On this day in 2005 Teenage Lionel Messi scores first goal for Barcelona
There have been several iconic Lionel Messi celebrations this season. From the way he celebrated his recent stoppage time winner in the Clasico against Real Madrid to him stood aloft in front of the Barcelona supporters after that incredible comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, he's provided images which will last a lifetime.
Incredibly, May 1 is exactly 12 years since the first Messi celebration back in 2005. There have been over 500 since but the original one -- like some of this season's -- will certainly stand the test of time: a teenage Messi mounted on Ronaldinho's shoulders, unbridled joy on his young face and a crowded Camp Nou cheering a goal which ushered Barca towards a first league title in five years after a 2-0 win over Albacete.
�� 12 years today since #Messi scored his first goal for Barça ��⚽️ Here's a video of his 10 greatest celebrations �� https://t.co/iZ2ErJg5VL pic.twitter.com/iIWeHaBmYz
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 1, 2017
There was understatement from then Barca coach Frank Rijkaard when he was asked about 17-year-old Messi becoming the club's youngest ever scorer (he's since been succeeded by Bojan Krkic). Perhaps the Dutchman was just trying to keep expectations down, and prying eyes away.
"It was the right moment to bring on a young kid like Messi," Rijkaard said. But it wasn't just the fact this scraggy-haired youngster had scored, it was the manner with which he scored -- and which he had done twice, too.
Having just replaced Samuel Eto'o, who had scored Barca's first goal, in the 86th minute, within three minutes the Argentine had latched on to a Ronaldinho pass and scooped the ball over the top of goalkeeper Raul Valbuena -- only for referee Velasco Carballo to incorrectly rule it out for offside.
Moments later, and with the game in stoppage time, there was almost a copy and paste moment, this time with a happy ending. Ronaldinho once again dazzled the Albacete defence and Messi once again scored with a lobbed finish which suggested his confidence and his talent belied his years.
"I enjoyed it a lot," an almost unrecognisable Messi told reporters in the mixed zone -- a place he rarely frequents at Camp Nou these days -- after the game.
"It is difficult to imagine a better crowning jewel for a season in which he has been always training with the first team, although he has played almost all the youth team games," Mundo Deportivo's Begona Villarrubia wrote the day after the game. "Messi now feels that the La Liga title which with all probability Barca will win will be his own."
Villarrubia wouldn't have been completely surprised by Messi's magic. The young Argentine had already announced himself to the local press with a goal in a preseason friendly against Catalan side Palamos. Rijkaard then gave him his full debut against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic on Oct. 16, 2004 and there was a buzz around the player.
Messi would make nine first team appearances that season, but it's the one against Albacete which provided the first official goal celebration of an incredible career.
Samuel Marsden covers Barcelona for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @SamuelMarsden.
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