When Did Lionel Messi Get Drafted?

When Did Messi Get Drafted?

Lionel Messi is one of the most famous and successful soccer players in the world. He has won the Ballon d’Or award, given to the best player in the world, a record seven times. He has also led his club team, Barcelona, to multiple Champions League titles. But what many people don’t know is that Messi was actually drafted by another club before he ever played for Barcelona.

In 2000, when Messi was just 13 years old, he was drafted by River Plate, a club in Argentina. However, Messi’s family could not afford to pay the $1 million transfer fee, so he was unable to join the club. Instead, he moved to Spain to play for Barcelona’s youth academy.

Messi quickly made a name for himself at Barcelona, and he was eventually promoted to the first team in 2004. He has since gone on to become one of the greatest players in history.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Messi’s drafting story and how it led to his eventual success at Barcelona.

| Date | Event | Details |
|—|—|—|
| 2000 | Barcelona Youth Academy | Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 13. |
| 2004 | Barcelona B | Messi made his debut for Barcelona B at the age of 17. |
| 2004 | Barcelona | Messi made his debut for Barcelona’s first team at the age of 17. |

Lionel Messi is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won a record six Ballon d’Or awards, and he has led Barcelona to multiple La Liga and Champions League titles. Messi’s career has been marked by a series of incredible achievements, but one of the most defining moments came on July 1, 2003, when he was drafted by Barcelona at the age of 13.

This article will take a look at Messi’s early career, his draft day, and his impact on the world of football.

Messi’s Early Career

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 24, 1987. He began playing football at a young age, and he was quickly identified as a potential star. At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. This condition would have prevented him from reaching his full potential as a footballer, but Barcelona offered to pay for his treatment.

Messi moved to Barcelona in 2000, and he quickly rose through the club’s youth ranks. He made his first-team debut in 2004, and he went on to become one of the most successful players in Barcelona’s history.

Messi’s Draft Day

In 2003, Messi was eligible to be drafted by clubs in Europe’s top leagues. Barcelona had already signed him to a contract, but they were worried that other clubs would try to lure him away. To protect their investment, Barcelona paid a “release clause” of 30 million to ensure that Messi could not be transferred to another club without their consent.

On July 1, 2003, Messi was officially drafted by Barcelona. He signed a contract with the club that would keep him there for the next four years.

Messi’s Decision to Stay with Barcelona

Messi had the opportunity to join a number of other clubs, but he chose to stay with Barcelona. This was a controversial decision at the time, as many people believed that he would be better off playing for a club in a major European league.

However, Messi’s decision to stay with Barcelona has proved to be the right one. He has gone on to become one of the greatest players in the history of the club, and he has helped Barcelona to win numerous trophies.

Messi’s Impact on the World of Football

Lionel Messi has had a profound impact on the world of football. He is one of the most talented players of all time, and he has helped to change the way that football is played.

Messi is a gifted goalscorer, and he is also capable of creating chances for his teammates. He is a complete player, and he is able to perform at the highest level in all areas of the game.

Messi has also been a role model for young players around the world. He has shown that it is possible to achieve great things in football, regardless of your background or circumstances.

Lionel Messi is a true legend of the game, and he will continue to inspire fans for years to come.

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has won a record six Ballon d’Or awards, and he has led Barcelona to multiple La Liga and Champions League titles. Messi’s career has been marked by a series of incredible achievements, but one of the most defining moments came on July 1, 2003, when he was drafted by Barcelona at the age of 13.

Messi’s decision to stay with Barcelona has proved to be the right one. He has gone on to become one of the greatest players in the history of the club, and he has helped Barcelona to win numerous trophies. Messi’s impact on the world of football has been profound. He is a gifted goalscorer, and he is also capable of creating chances for his teammates. He is a complete player, and he is able to perform at the highest level in all areas of the game.

Messi has also been a role model for young players around the world. He has shown that it is possible to achieve great things in football, regardless of your background or circumstances. Lionel Messi is a true legend of the game, and he will continue to inspire fans for years to come.

When Did Messi Get Drafted?

Lionel Messi was never drafted by a professional sports team. He began his professional career with FC Barcelona in 2004, when he was just 17 years old.

Messi’s Career After the Draft

Messi went on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time. He won a record-breaking 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona, as well as four UEFA Champions League titles. He also led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

Messi’s individual achievements include winning the Ballon d’Or a record-breaking seven times, as well as the FIFA World Player of the Year award six times. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Messi’s Retirement and Legacy

Messi retired from professional football in 2022, at the age of 34. He had been plagued by injuries in recent years, and he decided that it was time to step away from the game.

Messi’s retirement was met with sadness by fans around the world. He is considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his legacy will live on for many years to come.

Lionel Messi was a once-in-a-generation talent. He changed the game of football and inspired millions of people around the world. His legacy will live on for many years to come.

When Did Messi Get Drafted?

Answer: Lionel Messi was never drafted into the NBA. He was signed as a free agent by FC Barcelona in 2000.

Lionel Messi was drafted by FC Barcelona in 2000 at the age of 13. He made his professional debut for the club in 2004 and has since gone on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time. Messi has won a total of 35 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, and 7 Copa del Rey titles. He has also won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times and the FIFA World Player of the Year award six times.

Messi is widely regarded as one of the most talented footballers of all time. He is known for his dribbling, passing, and goal-scoring ability. He is also a free-kick specialist and is considered to be one of the best penalty takers in the world.

Messi has been an inspiration to millions of people around the world. He has shown that anything is possible if you work hard and never give up on your dreams. He is a role model for young people everywhere and is an example of how dedication and hard work can lead to success.