How many goals has Lionel Messi scored in his career, and how many matches he's played?

Lionel Messi is celebrating his anniversary, today is the exact 17th anniversary of the Argentine's first goal at FC Barcelona. It was May 1, 2005, the day that he will be kept forever after his goal against Albacete. The curious thing about the case is what happened to the ball used at that time, which had a particular destination.

FC Barcelona won the match by two goals difference and the rival goalkeeper, Raúl Balbuena, had the idea of taking the match ball because he considered that he had had a good performance under three sticks. What's more, he asked all his teammates to sign it without having any notion of what Lionel Messi's career would be like later.

Raúl Balbuena has received thousands of offers to be able to sell the ball from Lionel Messi's first goal, however, he made the decision to donate it to the emblematic Madrid restaurant Asador Donostiarra. There remain several shirts of icons such as Iker Casillas or Cristiano Ronaldo. Stored inside a transparent chest is the ball next to some gloves of the former Albacete goalkeeper.

Lionel Messi and an indelible mark at FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona enjoyed the appearance of Lionel Messi to the fullest, without a doubt, the greatest footballing exponent in its entire history. In a total of 778 games, the Argentine scored the exorbitant number of 672 goals, being the club's highest scorer in all his years of life. In addition, he won 35 titles, including four Champions League.