When was Lionel Messi’s first career goal? Messi hits 900 goals

Lionel Messi made soccer history on Wednesday night becoming the second player in the history of the sport to score 900 professional goals. It took him just seven minutes to scored the opener against Nashville SC in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16.

Messi is now in his 22nd season as a professional, a testament to his incredible longevity and enduring quality. Of that time, 17 years was spent at Barcelona and he will forever be most closely associated with the LaLiga club.

Messi moved from his native Argentina to join Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy at the age of 13. He made his first-team debut in November 2003, at the age of 16, appearing in a friendly game against FC Porto. A year later he made his LaLiga debut for Barcelona aged 17 years old, and scored his first senior goal in a game against Albacete on May 1, 2005 at the age of 17 years, 10 months and 7 days.

That goal made him the youngest player to score a goal for the senior Barcelona team, a record that has now been beaten by Lamine Yamal. Messi signed his first professional contract with birthday on his 18th birthday, a deal which included a release clause set at €150 million.

Messi would go on to spend 17 seasons with Barcelona, establishing himself as the greatest player in the club’s history and breaking countless records. He ended his time at the club in 2021, leaving as a ten-time LaLiga champion, four-time Champions League winner and the club’s record scorer.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.