LIONEL MESSI signed for Barcelona on this very day 21 years in the past.
And the legendary World Cup winner seems to be unrecognisable in his Catalan FA switch doc from 2002.
Messi, 35, is thought over the planet as soccer’s No1 celebrity.
His fashionable haircut and stylish beard has spawned numerous copycats from South America to Europe.
However Messi seemed a world away from his present state when lastly gaining entry to the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation.
The Argentina icon initially joined Barcelona from Newell’s Previous Boys in 2000.
However a switch battle between his boyhood membership and the Nou Camp giants meant Messi was unable to play official video games for Barca’s youth group.
And it took till February 15, 2002, earlier than Messi was given his Spanish stamps through the Catalan FA.
The documentation meant he was lastly in a position to correctly combine at La Masia earlier than making his debut 18 months later and changing into one of many best gamers in historical past.
And an image of his Catalan switch doc from the well-known day has been revealed on-line.
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At 14 years previous, there was no signal of the beard Messi now sports activities with Paris Saint-Germain.
And he additionally boasted lengthy hair as a substitute of his present snazzy barnet.
Followers rapidly responded to the image, with many praising Messi’s growth into a worldwide mega-star.
One mentioned: “The remainder is historical past. He turned one of the best participant in historical past.”
One other declared: “The very best ever, today ought to be a vacation all around the planet.”
One laughed: “And since that day it's finito.”
One other added: “And at 35 he joined the most important membership in France.”
Messi’s stats for Barcelona are nonetheless onerous to understand, with the attacker netting 672 objectives in 778 matches for the Catalans.
He received 10 LaLiga titles, seven Copa del Reys and 4 Champions Leagues throughout his time on the Nou Camp.
However Messi’s Barcelona journey got here to an abrupt finish 18 months in the past when his contract was allowed to run out, paving the way in which for a free transfer to PSG.
He has since netted 26 occasions in 60 video games for the French aspect, profitable the Ligue 1 title in his first season.
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