Lionel Messi may no longer wear the colors of Barcelona, but his legacy is forever intertwined with the club where he spent 21 years of his career. Over two decades after arriving in Catalonia, Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, left a club that is vastly different from the one he joined as a young prodigy.
During his time at Barcelona, Messi secured an astonishing 35 trophies, and his name is etched in history as the highest goal scorer for a single club. Watching Messi step onto the pitch in anything other than the iconic blue and red of Barcelona will certainly feel surreal, but the memories of his brilliance remain.
Everyone has their own version of Messi they cherish—whether it’s the long-haired teenager weaving through defenses or the mature, composed playmaker who seemed to effortlessly set up teammates as often as he found the back of the net himself. Watching his evolution has truly been a privilege.
Here, we’ve picked seven of Messi’s most significant moments in Barcelona, highlighting the shirts he wore during these legendary performances.
1. Messi’s Barcelona Debut (2003)
Messi first donned the Barcelona kit for the senior team in a friendly match against Porto at just 16 years and four months old. It’s hard to believe that little more than a year after Ronaldo led Brazil to World Cup glory, Messi was already taking his first steps in Barcelona's colors.
2. First La Liga Goal (2005)
After making his La Liga debut as a substitute against Espanyol, Messi's first goal came in his seventh official game. Assisted by his friend and mentor Ronaldinho, Messi scored a delightful lob against Albacete, a moment that cemented his status as one of Barcelona’s rising stars.
3. The Getafe Wonder Goal (2007)
On April 18, 2007, Messi produced one of his most iconic moments, scoring a goal against Getafe that drew immediate comparisons to Diego Maradona’s legendary strike in the 1986 World Cup. Slaloming through the Getafe defense, Messi’s solo effort was not just a goal but a statement, making the world wonder if he could surpass even his idol.
4. The Historic Treble (2009)
The 2008/09 season marked a turning point for Messi and Barcelona. Under Pep Guardiola’s leadership, Messi was moved to a central role and given the legendary number 10 shirt. That season, Messi helped Barca complete an unprecedented treble, including a Champions League victory against Manchester United, solidifying his place as the team’s talisman.
5. Six Trophies in a Year (2010)
The 2009/10 season began with Barcelona making history as the first team to win six major honors in a calendar year. By the end of the season, Messi, now 22, claimed both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards, dominating the voting by record margins.
6. Record-Breaking Goal Scorer (2012)
Messi’s remarkable 2011/12 season saw him reach new heights. Driven by his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi scored an incredible 73 goals, surpassing Barcelona’s all-time goal-scoring record at just 24 years old. He recorded three or more goals in 10 different games that season, continuing to push the boundaries of what was possible.
7. The MSN Trio Dominance (2015)
The 2014/15 season marked the last great era of Barcelona’s dominance. With the arrival of Luis Suárez, Messi formed a fearsome attacking trio with Suárez and Neymar, often referred to as MSN. Messi’s 59 goals that season helped the trio reach a combined total of 122 goals as Barcelona won yet another league, cup, and Champions League treble.
While Messi’s time at Barcelona has come to an end, these moments—and the shirts that symbolize them—will forever be a part of football history.