When Did Messi Start Playing Football? Early Career Explained

By Sarah Miller · September 24, 2044

Lionel Messi began playing organized football at the age of six with Grandoli, a local club in Rosario, Argentina, where his father worked. This marked the start of a legendary football journey that would eventually lead him to FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and global stardom.

Early Life and Introduction to Football

Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Andrés Messi showed exceptional talent for football from an early age. Encouraged by his family, especially his grandmother Celia, who was his biggest early supporter, Messi started playing football informally in the streets and parks of his neighborhood.

First Organized Club: Grandoli

At just six years old, Messi joined Grandoli, a small neighborhood football club coached by his father, Jorge Messi. Though lacking formal infrastructure, Grandoli provided young Messi with his first structured environment to develop his skills.

Club: Club Atlético Grandoli
Location: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Age when joined: 6 years old (1993)
Position: Forward
Coached by: Jorge Messi (his father)

Moving to Newell’s Old Boys

In 1995, at the age of eight, Messi moved to Newell’s Old Boys, one of Argentina’s most prominent clubs. He quickly stood out due to his extraordinary dribbling, speed, and goal-scoring ability.

Joined: 1995
Duration: Played for five years (1995–2000)
Achievements: Scored over 500 goals in youth divisions
Team nickname: "La Maquina Naranja" (The Orange Machine)

Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency

At age 10, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, which threatened both his health and football career. Treatment required expensive hormone injections, costing approximately $1,500 per month—a sum his family could not afford.

Newell’s Old Boys initially agreed to cover part of the cost, but financial instability later prevented them from continuing support. This led Messi’s family to seek opportunities abroad.

Move to FC Barcelona and La Masia

In 2000, at age 13, Messi traveled to Spain for a trial with FC Barcelona. His performance during a two-week training session impressed coaches, particularly Carles Rexach.

Barcelona offered to cover his medical treatment and sign him to their youth academy, La Masia. The famous story goes that Rexach signed Messi on a napkin due to urgent paperwork constraints.

Trial date: September 2000
Academy: La Masia (FC Barcelona)
First official contract: Signed December 14, 2000
Medical treatment: Funded by FC Barcelona

Year	Age	Club / Academy	Key Event
1993	6	Grandoli	Started organized football; coached by father
1995	8	Newell's Old Boys	Joined youth academy; scored 500+ goals
2000	10	Newell's Old Boys	Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency
September 2000	13	FC Barcelona (trial)	Impressed coaches during tryout
December 2000	13	La Masia (FC Barcelona)	Officially signed; medical treatment funded
2004	17	FC Barcelona First Team	La Liga debut (October 16, 2004)
2005	18	FC Barcelona	First senior goal (May 1, 2005)

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The timeline illustrates Messi's rapid progression from grassroots football in Argentina to one of the world's elite academies. His move to Barcelona at 13 was pivotal, combining medical care with world-class training, setting the foundation for future success. The consistent upward trajectory highlights how early exposure, talent, and institutional support shaped his career.

Frequently Asked Questions About When Messi Started Playing Football

When did Lionel Messi start playing football?

Lionel Messi began playing organized football at the age of six with Club Atlético Grandoli in Rosario, Argentina, in 1993. This is widely recognized as the official start of his football journey.

What was Messi’s first football club?

Messi’s first organized football club was Grandoli, a small local team in Rosario. He later joined Newell’s Old Boys in 1995, where he gained wider recognition for his talent.

How old was Messi when he joined Barcelona?

Messi was 13 years old when he officially joined FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy in December 2000, following a successful trial in September of that year.

Did Messi play football in Argentina before moving to Spain?

Yes, Messi played for two clubs in Argentina before moving to Spain: Grandoli (1993–1995) and Newell’s Old Boys (1995–2000). He demonstrated prodigious talent during his time in Argentina, scoring over 500 goals for Newell’s youth teams.

Why did Messi leave Argentina to join Barcelona?

Messi left Argentina because he needed expensive growth hormone treatment that his family couldn't afford. FC Barcelona offered to pay for his medical care in exchange for joining their youth academy, making the move both a sporting and medical necessity.