20 years of Messi: Ranking his seasons from worst to first

Lionel Messi made his professional debut 20 years ago on October 16, 2004, for Barcelona. Although he didn’t make a huge impact in his first season, he has since gone on to achieve numerous accolades, including eight Ballons d’Or and multiple Champions League titles. ESPN is commemorating Messi’s milestone by ranking each year of his career and discussing his highs and lows. From his early days as a young talent to his later years with PSG, Messi’s career has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite facing challenges like injuries and team changes, Messi’s talent and dedication have made him one of the greatest soccer players of all time. In the 2019-20 season, Barcelona struggled after losing Neymar and making poor transfer decisions to keep Messi happy. The team failed to win trophies, had their lowest LaLiga point total in years, and suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. However, Messi’s last season with Barca in 2020-21 showed improvement, with him winning the Copa del Rey and finally achieving international success with Argentina in the Copa América. Messi then moved to MLS, where he continued to shine with Inter Miami, showcasing his incredible skills despite the lower stakes. Throughout his career, Messi has consistently produced impressive stats and accomplishments, solidifying his status as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Barcelona had a rollercoaster of a season, with wins and draws against Real Madrid but ultimately losing their LaLiga crown due to unexpected losses to other teams. They had a memorable comeback against PSG in the Champions League but then suffered a defeat to Juventus. Messi continued to perform exceptionally, but the team faced instability. Messi also returned to international play, got suspended, and had limited playing time with Argentina. Despite securing some trophies, the season was marked by late heartbreak. Overall, it was a strange and challenging year for Barcelona and Messi. The content discusses Lionel Messi’s successful seasons with Barcelona and the impact of key achievements on his career. In the 2008-09 season, Messi won his first Ballon d’Or and had a breakthrough season under Guardiola. The 2010-11 season saw Barcelona dominate, with Messi setting a career record for goals. The highlight was a run of four Clasicos against Real Madrid. In the 2011-12 season, despite team success, Barcelona fell short in the Champions League. However, Messi’s remarkable stats, including 73 goals and 30 assists, make this season stand out, ranking it as the second-best in his career. In the 2014-15 season, Lionel Messi had an incredible performance with Barcelona. He scored at least two goals in a match 22 times and outscored Ronaldo and others in LaLiga. He also came close to leading the league in assists. From February to March, he scored 16 goals in just six matches, including five in a Champions League game. This season is often referenced as an example of Messi’s dominance. With a strong team around him, including Suarez and Neymar, Barcelona achieved great success in various competitions. Despite not being his best individual season, Messi’s joy and success on the field made this season stand out as one of his best.