MESSI MAKES 500

Lionel Andres (Leo) Messi makes his 500th appearance for Barcelona tonight, with 424 goals, 32 hat tricks and 159 assists for his Spanish Club. He has gathered 4 Ballon d'Ors, 3 European Golden Shoes, 7 La Ligas, 4 Champions Leagues, 3 Copa de Rey, 3 World Club Cups and 3 UEFA Super Cups.

Loving the Nou Camp, Messi has played 238 times there for Barca and scored 236 goals.

Born in June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Messi should have played regularly for Newell's Old Boys from the age of 6, but, when as a youth he showed no signs of growth, he was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency. Neither Newell's nor the other local league side, River Plate, would pay for his treatment which was amounting to a $1000 a month.

At 13 years old he found his way to Spain, where Barca were prepared to invest in him. From 2002, he was playing in the famed Barca Academy, La Masia and with Fabregas and Piquet they developed the "Baby Dream Team".

By October 2004, Messi made his first team debut at 17 years old and a year later he was picked for his country, appearing 105 times so far with 49 goals since 2005.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/10113308/messi-at-500

"When you saw him you would think: this kid can't play ball. He's a dwarf, he's too fragile, too small. But immediately you'd realise that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be something impressive."

—Newell's Old Boys youth coach Adrián Coria shares his first impression of the 12-year-old Messi.