LIONEL MESSI kicked off his incredible career 15 years ago – on October 16, 2004 – as Barcelona took on Espanyol.
The teenager, then 16-years-old, was famously drafted into then-boss Frank Rijkaard’s squad amidst an injury crisis – along with four other La Masia prospects.
Lionel Messi made his debut for Barcelona 15 years ago – and was joined by four other La Masia products on the benchCredit: Rex Features
Messi burst on to the scene in 2004 – and the rest, as they say, is historyCredit: Reuters
Messi came off the bench, replacing Portuguese legend Deco, with the likes of Edmilson, Thiago Motta and Gerard all out injured.
The Argentine wizard only featured for the game’s final seven minutes, briefly sharing the pitch with the likes of Xavi, Ronaldinho and Henrik Larsson.
Andres Iniesta was another bench-warmer that day along with youth products Messi, Ruben Martinez, Cristian Hidalgo, Damia Abella and Carlos Pena.
Messi, of course, went on to win the Golden Boy award a year later, before clinching ten La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and five Ballons d’Or, amongst many other accolades.
But whatever happened to the other four hot prospects who failed to come off the bench in the 1-0 win on Montjuic hill?
RUBEN MARTINEZ
Ruben Martinez played just 105 minutes for the Barcelona first-teamCredit: Getty
Barcelona appearances: 2 (105 minutes)
DUE to an injury to Victor Valdes’ back-up, Jorquera, goalkeeper Martinez had become a regular presence on the Barcelona bench in recent weeks.
Martinez managed just 105 minutes as Barcelona No1, after Valdes was sent-off in a game against Valencia.
That allowed the reserve stopper to play the final 15 minutes of the game – and the entirety of the next match… a 2-1 win over Levante.
But that was as good as it got for the Spaniard who became the ultimate journeyman in the top few leagues of the national pyramid.
Martinez is currently at Osasuna, having also turned out for the likes of Deportivo La Coruna, Levante, Almeria, Rayo Vallecano, Malaga and Cartagena.
DAMIA ABELLA
Damia Abella went on to make ten appearances for BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
Barcelona appearances: 10
ABELLA failed to see the pitch in the clash against Espanyol, but he didn’t have to wait long for his first-team debut.
The versatile star, adept at either full-back or in midfield, appeared in the cup before making his La Liga debut against Athletic Bilbao at the end of October.
While failing to nail down a regular spot in the team, his versatility saw him make a further eight league outings for Barca.
Abella would later spend time on loan at Racing Santander, before turning out for Real Betis and Osasuna in Spain – both four-year stints.
The Spaniard, now 37, finished off his career with two seasons at Middlesbrough, where he played just two matches before retiring.
Abella is now a coach, leading Catalonia’s Under-18s – having earned four senior caps for them during his playing career.
CRISTIAN HIDALGO
Hidalgo went on to play for Deportivo having played one minute for BarcelonaCredit: Rex Features
Barcelona appearances: 1 (one minute)
IF nothing else, Hidalgo can tell the grandkids he officially played for Barcelona… albeit earning just one minute of first-team action.
The striker replaced defensive midfielder Rafa Marquez in the 89th-minute of a cup game against Zamora in 2015 – a year after he was on the bench with Messi.
But Hidalgo would have to wait a further year to make his La Liga debut, when he signed for Deportivo La Coruna in 2006.
He switched from a centre-forward to a winger and enjoyed much more success – but has been a globetrotter ever since.
After three years at Deportivo and two at Hercules, Hidalgo has gone on to play for TEN clubs in the following seven years – all on permanent transfers.
As well as Spanish club Elche, he has played for Alki Larnaca (Cyprus), Cherno More Varna (Bulgaria), Bnei Sakhnin (Israel), Chennaiyin (India), Moghredb Tetouan (Morocco) and Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt (Romania).
More recently, Hidalgo returned close to home with Granollers (Spain), La Jonquera (Spain) and Ordino (Andorra), where he now plays.
CARLOS PENA
Carlos Pena is the only player from the bench that night to fail to play for BarcaCredit: Rex Features
Barcelona appearances: 0
PENA was left to rue not coming off the bench that fateful night at Espanyol – as he failed to play a single senior game for Barcelona.
The left-back did manage to spend five years turning out for the Barca ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams – racking up over 150 appearances in the process.
Since leaving Barca, the ten-cap Spain Under-21s international played for Albacete, Recreativo Huelva, Real Valladolid, Oviedo, Getafe and Lorca in his home nation.
Most recently, Pena has played for Goa in India, making 19 appearances since finally leaving Spain in July 2018.
Lionel Messi trains alone as superstar fights back from injury in time for new season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
