Lionel Messi’s first steps onto a soccer field were for a club in his neighbourhood, Grandoli, at the age of five. After doing well for Grandoli he moved to Newell where he proceeded to progress through their youth team. He then spent some time training with River whilst playing for the first team of Newell but his career came to a halt because of a hormonal illness. Messi's family chose to move to Spain in order for Lionel to get the right treatment.

At the age of 13 Lionel Messi joined FC Barcelona and he quickly moved up the ranks and at reserve level he scored 35 goals in 30 matches - more than a goal per match. When he was 16 years old, Messi started playing with the Youth B team of F.C. Barcelona but he finished the season playing with the second squad of Barcelona, Barca B, who play in the Second Division B. When he made his first-team debut on 16 October 2004 at RCD Espanyol, he became the third youngest player to represent the club, aged 17 years, three months and 23 days. Among his nine appearances that season came his first UEFA Champions League start - at FC Shakhtar Donetsk - and his first goal a minute after coming on for Samuel Eto'o in the 2-0 win against Albacete Balompié.

The Argentine teenage prodigy has recently extended his contract with Barcelona for the second time in three months so that it will now run until 2014 rather than 2010. This left-sided player is now one of the most promising young players at Barça.