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. Despite starting off slow, he went on to achieve incredible success in his career, including numerous awards and titles. ESPN commemorates his anniversary by ranking each year of his career. From his early days as a teenager at Barcelona to his recent stint at PSG, Messi has consistently shown his talent and skill on the field. Despite some ups and downs, Messi’s impact on the game of soccer is undeniable, making him one of the greatest players of all time. In the 2019-20 season, Barcelona struggled after losing Neymar, spending big on players that didn’t click with Messi. The team had a disappointing season with no trophies and a humiliating loss to Bayern Munich. The 2020-21 season saw improvement, with Messi leading the team to a Copa del Rey win and achieving success with Argentina in the Copa América. Messi then joined MLS team Inter Miami in 2023, where he continued to shine. Despite some ups and downs, Messi’s incredible talent and achievements throughout the years have solidified his status as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Barcelona had a rollercoaster of a season, with some impressive wins and heartbreaking losses. They had a famous comeback against PSG but followed it with a defeat to Juventus. Messi continued to shine, but the team struggled with instability. On the international front, Messi un-retired but faced a suspension and limited playing time for Argentina. Despite securing some trophies, the season ended with late heartbreak, including a loss to Liverpool in the Champions League semis. Overall, it was a weird year for Barcelona and Messi. Lionel Messi and Barcelona had a historic season in 2008-09, winning the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, and Copa del Rey. This was Messi’s breakthrough season, winning his first Ballon d’Or under coach Guardiola’s guidance. The team had a star-studded lineup and employed innovative tactics, culminating in a dominant performance against Real Madrid. In the following seasons, Barcelona continued their success, with Messi breaking records and leading the team to multiple trophies. Despite some setbacks, Messi’s incredible stats and performances make the 2011-12 season one of the best in his career. Lionel Messi had an incredible season in 2014-15, scoring a total of 58 goals and 27 assists for Barcelona. He outperformed Ronaldo and other players in LaLiga, scoring an impressive number of goals in multiple matches. Messi’s performance in late winter was particularly outstanding, with 16 goals in just six matches. This season is often referenced as a prime example of Messi’s unmatched talent in soccer analytics. With a strong team supporting him, including Suárez and Neymar, Barcelona went on to win the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, and Copa del Rey. Despite not being his best individual season, this season is considered the best due to the team’s success and Messi’s exceptional performance.