24 June marks the 38th birthday of the Argentinian football player Lionel Messi, and countless teams, individuals and competition authorities have sent sincere birthday wishes via social media.
His former club, Barcelona, also extended birthday greetings at 10 am local time. The club shared a photo of Messi on social media, with the Spanish caption: “Feliz Cumleaños Leo!” The English version added: “The only goat!”
Messi joined the Barcelona youth academy in July 2000. On November 16, 2003 he debuted his first team as a replacement in a friendly match against Porto. Under the management of Ronald Koeman, he was officially promoted to the first team in October 2004 and completed his competition debut on October 16 against Espanyol.
On May 1, 2005, in a match against Albacete, he scored his first senior team goal with an assist from Ronaldinho and at the time he became the youngest goal scorer of the club, 17 years, 3 months and 22 days. He was also the youngest player who at that time represented Barcelona in official matches.
Messi spent 17 years in the first team of Barcelona, making 778 performances, scored 672 goals and providing 269 assists. During his term of office in Barça he won 6 Ballon d'Ors, 2 FIFA World Player of the Year Awards, 1 Laureus World Sports Award, 3 UEFA Men's Player of the Year titles and 6 European Golden Shoes. He led Barcelona to 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 Fifa Club World Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, 10 La Liga Championships, 7 Copa del Rey titles and 8 Supercopa de España titles.