Messi’s first official match for Barcelona was in 16 October 2004, Barcelona vs Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic.
Here’s how it went Minute by Minute.
THE BUILD UP
Messi was 17 years,3 months and 22 days old.
He’d been training with the first team all season under frank Rijikaard.
The plan was to ease him slowly
Barça were struggling.
They had lost 3 of their first 6 games In laliga.
Rijikaard wanted fresh legs and decided to give Messi 10 minutes to feel the stadium.
The crowd that day was 60,000 ,most people didn’t know who he was.
The program listed him as L.Messi with no photo.
THE SUBSTITUTION:82ND MINUTE .
Barça were leading 1-0 thanks to Deco goal in the 70th minute.
Rijikaard turned to the bench and said “Leo go warm up”.
Messi Jogs to the touchline,takes off his tracksuit and swaps a quick nod with Deco with number 30 on his back.
Camp Nou isn’t at Montjuic but 60k still made noise.
Eto’o gives him a pat on the back as he crosses the line.
Ronaldinho Jogs over and said something to him in Portuguese.
Years later Messi said “Ronaldinho told me to play calm, play like you do in training” That helped.
82 minute FIRST TOUCH
Espanyol kicks off after the substitution.
Barça win it back 30 seconds later ,Xavi plays it wide to Ronaldinho who lays it first time to Messi .
Messi’s first touch is a simple one touch pass back to Xavi.
No flair.
Commentators didn’t even say his name but Xavi noticed: the ball didn’t bounce off him.
“It stuck that’s rare at 17”.
83 minute, THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT A ONE-TWO.
Messi makes a diagonal run inside, signals Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho tries to slip it through but Espanyol defender Riera reads it and Intercepts.
Immediately Espanyol defender Moìses fouls Messi to stop the Counter.
Messi gets up without a word.
That’s the pattern:fouled,get up ,get back in the position.
Espanyol clearly had instructions “don’t let him turn”.
85th minute THIRD TOUCH: THE FREE KICK HE WINS.
Barça are building down the right.
Messi drops deep to get the ball from Oleuguer.
He takes one touch to control, second touch to control.
As he turns,Moìses comes across and clips his heels.
Clear foul 35 yards out.
Messi wins Barcelona a free kick,he doesn’t argue, doesn’t gesture.
Just jogs back to position.
Ronaldinho takes the free kick.
It’s blocked.
87th : DEFENSIVE ACTION
Espanyol breaks down Barça left.
Messi sprints 40 meter back to help belletti double up on the winger.
He doesn’t tackle but he forces the winger to pass early.
Rijikaard later said this was what convinced him: “he didn’t come to show off.
He came on to help the team win 1-0.
That’s why he stayed in the team.
88th minute forth touch: The counter that almost made it 2-0
Barça win the ball near their own box.
Xavi plays it to Messi on the right.
One touch to control, second touch to pass to Eto’o who’s making a run in behind.
Eto’o controls,drives at goal but his shot is saved by Espanyol goalkeeper Kameni.
If Eto’o scored it would have been Messi first assist.
89-90th minute : The Last minute
Messi drops deeper,receives a pass from Marquez and plays a safe 5 yard pass to Messi.
Espanyol are throwing everything forward,so he stays compact on the right hand and helps defend.
Full Time whistle blows, match ends 1-0.
WHAT WAS HAPP HAPPENING OFF THE BALL.
Espanyol plan: Their manager “Miguel Angel Lotina” told his players pre-match:if that kid gets it, foul him .
They had watched youth tapes of Messi.
Moìses fouled him twicein 8 minutes,Both were tactical low level fouls:stop the rhythm don’t let him get confidence .
Baça plan : Rijikaard told Messi before the match:”Don’t try to win the game yourself, Keep it simple,if you loose the ball I will take you off next match”.
That’s Why he played safe.
Ronaldinho plan: Ronaldinho kept looking for him, everytime Messi made a run Ronaldinho will try to find him.
In the dressing room after, Ronaldinho told the squad: keep giving him the ball he is different.
To be continued…..