Lionel Messi is just 17 years, three months and 22 days old and is making his official competitive debut for Barcelona. He comes on as a substitute late in the game. against Espanyol. At the time, he becomes the youngest player to represent the club in an official match after joining the club’s famed La Masia academy in 2000, transferring from Argentinian club Newell’s Old Boys as a 13-year-old.
