Fati vs Messi: How does Barcelona’s record-breaking teen star compare to Camp Nou legend?

Barcelona’s youngest league scorer. The youngest scorer ever in the Champions League. Youngest player in La Liga to score twice in one match.

No, we’re not talking about Lionel Messi, but Barca’s 17-year-old offensive prodigy, Ansu Fati.

After nearly two weeks of headlines surrounding Messi’s future at Camp Nou have been brought to an end ObjectiveIn the exclusive interview with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, it was only poetic that Barca’s next big hope stole the show two days later on his full debut for Spain.

Fati made his first appearance with La Roja as a substitute against Germany on Thursday, becoming the nation’s youngest player in 84 years.

On his second appearance and first game against Ukraine three days later, the teenager won Sergio Ramos’ opening penalty before scoring the team’s third goal in the first half to become the youngest ever goalscorer of the club. Spain.

In a dark period for Barcelona – punctuated by the saga involving the future of Messi, who lost the title against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich’s 8-2 in the Champions League – Fati emerged as a shining light and a true reason for the club fans to be excited.

But how does the Guinea Bissau-born youth’s rapid development compare to Messi’s early rise on his way to becoming the king of football in Catalonia?

Barcelona senior debut

On 25 August 2019, Fati made his senior debut in Barcelona as a substitute in the 78th minute in the 5-2 win against Real Betis, becoming the club’s second-youngest rookie, 16 years, 298 days.

The winger had completed a stunning six-year ascent to the first team after signing for La Masia at 10, with his previous youth team playing for Sevilla.

When Messi made his Barca debut with an eight-minute cameo off the bench against Espanyol on 16 October 2004, he became the second youngest player to play for the club at the time.

His journey saw him spend only three years at La Masia before his senior arc, having developed to the age of 13 at Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina.

First goal of Barcelona

Just six days after his first-team debut, Fati scored his first goal in Barcelona in a 2-2 draw at Osasuna, becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in the league and third youngest in La Liga history. .

Despite his small size and stature, Fati climbed higher to perform a brilliant header that nestled in the lower left corner.

Messi also became the league’s youngest scorer in club history – at 17 years and 331 days – when he scored his first goal for Barca on 1 May 2005, against Albacete, with Ronaldinho providing the assist. .

The Brazilian maestro played a delightful defensive lob in Messi’s path before the young Argentinian, with a composure that would become the mark, skillfully lobbed his advancing goalkeeper.

Barcelona’s first goal in the Champions League

Fati not only became Barcelona’s youngest Champions League scorer with his winner against Inter at 17, 40 days on 10 December 2019, but he also became the youngest in the history of the competition.

After playing one-two with Luis Suarez just outside the box, Fati launched a deadly right shot that nestled in the lower corner, earning a 2-1 against the Nerazzurri.

Messi scored his first Champions League goal in his second season as a senior at the club and in his fifth appearance in the competition on 2 November 2005, against Panathinaikos.

Some terrible defense by the Greek Super League team saw a fresh-faced Messi take the ball from the defenders, throw it at the goalkeeper and finish point blank.