The arrival of Lionel Messi - who made his official debut with the first team on the 16th October 2004 - has left an impressive mark on the respective successes of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Argentine star has tipped the balance in favour of his side and wrestled control of domestic success away from their fierce rivals.
That change began for Real Madrid in the 2004/05 season when, in Messi's first season, he won his first title in Barça colours. It would turn out to be the first of nine LaLiga trophies he'd claim in his time at the club. Bar a late collapse, this season should mark his tenth league title.
It was in 2004 when Real Madrid started to lose their grip and it was down in large part to the then long-haired Argentine star. You only need to look at the trophy cabinets before and after Messi made his debut.
With Messi in their squad, Barcelona put an end to Real Madrid's dominance in LaLiga and also on the European stage. Leo helped Barcça claim 33 trophies - with a potential three more at the end of this season - whilst los Blancos have only been able to claim 20.
Messi has won nine LaLigas, six Copa del Reys, eight Spanish Super Cups, four Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups. In that same amount of time - fourteen and a half years after Leo's debut - Madrid have won four LaLigas, two Copa del Reys, three Spanish Super CUps, four Champions League, four FIFA Club World Cups and three UEFA Super Cups. That means the average amount of titles won per season at Madrid is 1.3, whilst at Barça it's been 2.2. This will rise to 2.4 if Barça win the treble this season.
Before Messi's debut, Real Madrid were truly the kings of Spanish football. Until the 16th October 2004, the Santiago Bernabeu housed 69 titles whilst the Camp Nou only had 54.
Madrid dominated LaLiga (29 titles to Barça's 16) and in particular, the Champions League (9 titles to Barça's sole victory in 1992). They also had 17 Copa del Reys, seven Spanish Super Cups, three Intercontinental titles, two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup and a League Cup.
In that same timeframe Barça were only able to win 24 trophies, five Spanish Super Cups, four Recopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two League Cups.
But Messi broke that trend. With the forward on their books, Barça have won 37.9% of the trophies available whilst Real Madrid can claim just 22.5%. The impact of the Argentine superstar is clear for all to see. Prior to his arrival, Real Madrid had won 77.5% of their trophies. Barça, by contrast, only won 62.1% of their entire trophy haul prior to the era of Messi. Barça now boast 87 titles to their name and have a chance to overtake Real Madrid (89) this season.
juniornii22
173
ok a Madrid fan but I can't say that I don't like Messi. he make the difference when the time is right for his team and also he can win a match on his own that is the kind of player we are talking about. this season he alone has won 7 matches for Barca and all these matches the other ten players could not do anything but he made the difference.
Moomin17
100
Reason Someone Whose name was (Mr.Proving Himself all over the world) leaved this summer ..Cause he needs a attention which he can't get in Shadow Of Messi. HEAD TO HEAD LA LIGA = MESSI : 10, Draws : 4 , Ronaldo : 4 . Goalscored = Messi : 11,Ronaldo : 9 CHAMPION LEAGUE = Messi : 2,Draw :2, Ronaldo : 1 Goalscored : Messi : 3, Ronaldo : 4 Copa del Rey and Supercopa = Messi : 3,Draw : 3, Ronaldo : 4 TOTAL MATCH 35 MESSI WIN :16 DRAW:9 ROANLDO WIN :10 MESSI SCORED :21 And Assist :13 RONALDO SCORED :19 and Assist : 4
saoaelmrt
83
this is why Messi is the greatest .. Messi made Barcelona one of the greatest teams ever and he ended the dominance of real madrid in Spain !!!
Qwophy
70
THAT'S THE GOAT
wiaadep
63
Nobody will never forget him
Wepamnpy
53
nepali fan's
Footballforlyf
47
There is no question of whether messi is the best player who have graced the arena of club football in Spain.He definitely is as shown by this post.He is miles ahead of Johan Cryuff,Raul Gonzalez and many others who have attained the legendary status in spainish football.It is no doubt that he has taken barca to such heights which any other player can never take.But the question many claim is whether Messi suited for just the Barca's tiki taka slow style but yet very efficient style of football.Can he compete, adapt or keep up with any other challenges thrown at him or does he need the typical barca stylish players around him to prosper time and again.The answer to this can be given only in 2 ways; 1)Messi goes out of his league and emerges victorious elsewhere (which we know will never happen because messi love his club and will remain a one club player 2)He proves his worth on the international stage by giving stellar displays like he does for barca throughout a competition and wins it for argentina .(Without doubt he did it in the group stages of World cup 2014 and Copa 2015 but not in the finals where he was average compared to his own standards) Many can say there is no need for LM10 to do either of these for really showcasing he is the G.O.A.T but everyone knows only a very few will accept it as such when there are so much such questions and doubts thrown at him and he not able to shut them up. Hope he really does that roasting of doubters in 2022 world cup and becomes the undisputed G.O.A.T