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Barca mark 15-year anniversary of Messi’s first match

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Lionel Messi of Barcelona
  • Post published:November 17, 2018

Barcelona have released footage of a pimply faced Lionel Messi’s first minutes in senior football to mark the 15-year anniversary of his club debut.

Then just 16, Messi was introduced off the bench against Jose Mourinho’s Porto in a friendly on November 16, 2003.

The match was organised to celebrate the opening of Estadio do Dragao ahead of Euro 2004 but has been remembered for the emergence of a budding superstar.

In the video, posted to social media on Friday, a young Messi admits to costing himself the chance of a brace through a combination of unselfishness and an uncharacteristically nervous first touch.

His teammates in the 2-0 defeat included midfield great Xavi, long-serving defender Rafael Marquez and future Barca boss Luis Enrique.

Then-coach Frank Rijkaard made the teenager wait for his first competitive appearance, which came in October 2004 in a LaLiga win over rivals Espanyol.