Photos of Lionel Messi from every year of his historic career show his rise to soccer's highest throne
Read in app
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? .
Lionel Messi has been taking the soccer world by storm for two full decades, as the Argentine prodigy took his talents to Barcelona at the turn of the century and never looked back.
Through his time with European giants FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as his international career with Argentina, Messi earned nearly every trophy and individual accolade available at soccer's highest levels.
But the seven-time Ballon d'Or recipient struggled to capture his sport's most cherished prize — a World Cup — until his last appearance at soccer's greatest tournament.
Messi finally captured the trophy that had long eluded him with Argentina's thrilling victory over reigning champion France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Take a look back at photos from each year of the superstar's prolific soccer career and watch his rise to glory:
2003: At 16 years old, Messi made his debut for Barcelona during a friendly against Porto
Marcelo Boeri/El Grafico/Getty Images
Source:The Guardian
2004: Though he was eligible to compete for Spain at the international level and drew interest from the Spanish Federation in his teens, Messi opted to play for Argentina as he'd always dreamed
REUTERS/Jose Miguel Gomez JMG
2004: After spending most of the year starting for Barca's B team, a 17-year-old Messi became the youngest player ever to represent the club in an official match
REUTERS/Alexander Khudotioply
Source:The Guardian
2005: A year later, he earned his first call-up to the Argentina senior national team
REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh LB/CCK
2005: On his 18th birthday, Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona's senior team and later began earning regular starts for the club
REUTERS/Albert Gea
Source:ESPN
2006: He started getting more time with his national team, too, and scored his first World Cup goal in his debut World Cup appearance
Action Images / Lee Smith Livepic
2006: Though Barcelona began to struggle, Messi scored 17 goals in to help make the case that he was a bona fide star at just 19 years old
REUTERS/Dani Cardona
Source:BD Futbol
2007: He shined during La Albiceleste's run to the 2007 Copa América final, starting throughout the tournament and contributing two goals at just 20 years old