Lionel Messi, hailed as the greatest football player of all time, is a name synonymous with FC Barcelona's legacy.

His journey from La Masia to Camp Nou is nothing short of extraordinary, but it’s remarkable to think that Messi’s career with Barcelona nearly ended before it even began.

Messi’s Early Doubts at La Masia

When Messi first joined La Masia, Barcelona’s famous youth academy, not everyone was convinced he had what it takes to make it in professional football.

Cristian Hernandez, a former La Masia teammate, once shared on the El 10 del Barça podcast that one of the academy’s youth coaches, Rodolfo Borrell, nearly gave up on Messi.

Borrell, who later became Pep Guardiola’s assistant, thought Messi’s style of play—his love for dribbling and taking too many touches—was better suited for futsal than 11-a-side football. Can you imagine?

Good thing no one listened to him. Such skepticism could have easily derailed Messi's trajectory, robbing FC Barcelona of the man who would become its brightest star.

Moreover, Messi’s unparalleled talent, vision, and determination ensured he stayed with La Masia, setting the stage for his historic rise.

Messi’s Incredible Records at Barcelona

Messi’s story with Barcelona isn’t just about his loyalty to the club but also about the countless records and unforgettable moments he delivered:

Most Goals Ever for Barcelona: Messi scored an unbelievable 672 goals in 778 games, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer.

Assist King: With 268 assists, he wasn’t just a scorer—he was a creator too.

Six Ballon d’Or Wins: Messi won six Ballon d’Or awards while at Barcelona (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019), a record no other player has achieved with one club. He added another two after leaving Barcelona in 2021 to make it 8 Ballon d’Or awards.

10 La Liga Titles: He was the backbone of Barcelona’s dominance in Spanish football, winning La Liga 10 times.

Four Champions League Trophies: Messi shone on Europe’s biggest stage, helping Barça lift the Champions League trophy in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015.

Two Historic Trebles: He led the team to win the treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League in a single season—not once, but twice (2009 and 2015).

El Clasico Legend: Messi holds the record for the most goals in El Clasico history, scoring 26 times against Real Madrid.

Why Messi Is Loved by Every Barcelona Fan

For every Barcelona fan, Lionel Messi isn’t just a player; he’s a symbol of what the club stands for: excellence, creativity, and passion.

Despite the initial doubts, Messi proved himself not only as a product of La Masia but also as the ultimate ambassador of FC Barcelona's philosophy.

His departure in 2021 left a void at Camp Nou, but his legacy continues to inspire future generations at La Masia and beyond. It’s hard to imagine football, let alone FC Barcelona, without Messi’s impact.

Stay tuned to upbarca for more inspiring stories, records, and news about FC Barcelona's legends, current stars, and rising talents!