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How Old Was Messi In 2004
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24 June 1987. Thus, during the calendar year 2004 his age progressed as follows:
| Date | Messi’s age |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2004 | 16 years and approximately 6 months |
| 24 June 2004 (birthday) | 17 years old |
| 31 December 2004 | 17 years and about 6 months |
In short: for the first half of 2004 Lionel Messi was 16, and from 24 June onwards he was 17 for the remainder of the year
Messi Football Jerseys and Kits
Messi’s Milestones In 2004
The year 2004 marked a crucial shift in Messi’s early career from youth football toward senior professional involvement. Key events include:
- Messi’s youth career at FC Barcelona spanned the years 2000–2004 in their academy system.
- He formally signed his first professional contract on 4 February 2004 with Barcelona, reportedly lasting until 2012 with an initial release clause of €30 million.
- On 16 October 2004, at age 17 years, 3 months and 22 days, he made his official senior competitive debut for Barcelona in La Liga against RCD Espanyol at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
- He scored his first senior goal for Barcelona on 1 May 2005 (outside 2004), but his promotion into the first-team set-up was clearly underway in 2004.
Why That Age Matters
Understanding Messi’s age in 2004 helps contextualise how rapidly he advanced and why jersey collectors may value certain kits or editions related to that period:
- Early senior breakthrough. At just 17, he made his official competitive debut, underscoring his precocious talent.
- Youth to professional transition. 2004 is the year when Messi moved from youth and reserve squads into notable first-team involvement. This is the period when his professional identity began to emerge.
- Jersey significance. For fans of authentic kits and historical editions, knowing that Messi was 17 in late 2004 indicates which shirt versions might have been worn when he first appeared for the senior side. Such historical nuance adds value when browsing our collection. At the same time, recognising that he was still essentially a teenager in 2004 emphasises the rarity of early match-worn items from that era
Contextual Timeline Around 2004
To place the year in appropriate context:
- 24 June 1987: Lionel Messi is born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
- 2000: At age 13, he relocates to Spain and joins Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia
- 16 November 2003: At 16 years and 4 months, Messi makes a first-team friendly appearance for Barcelona, playing against FC Porto.
- 16 October 2004: He makes his official senior debut for Barcelona, as noted earlier
- 1 May 2005: He scores his first senior goal for Barcelona (outside our 2004 scope, but relevant to his rise).
Implications For Jersey Fans And Collectors
For those browsing our catalogue at jerseys4pro, this detailed age and milestone breakdown offers helpful pointers when assessing Messi-related items, especially from his early career.
- When selecting retro or early-era Barca kits, remember that during the 2004 calendar year Messi was still 17 after 24 June. Anyone referencing a “17-year-old Messi” kit is historically accurate
- If you find a kit claiming to be “2003/04 youth edition” worn by Messi, note he was still 16 for much of 2004 and had not yet made his official senior debut until October. That nuance helps validate authenticity
- For national team shirts: Messi did not yet make his senior debut for the Argentina national football team in 2004 (he debuted at senior level in 2005). Thus, any senior Argentina shirt claiming to have been worn by him in 2004 would be historically inaccurate.
- When comparing design editions: The 2004-05 season marked Messi’s first senior appearances, so kits from that season or match-day editions have a special place in football memorabilia and collector value.
Summary
In summary: during the year 2004 Lionel Messi began the year at 16 years and about six months. On 24 June 2004 he turned 17. For the remainder of the year, he was 17 years old. His official senior competitive debut for Barcelona came on 16 October 2004, at age 17, marking the true beginning of his senior-level career.
When exploring the selection at jerseys4pro, keep these details in mind. Whether you are evaluating a Barcelona youth-era shirt, an early first-team replica, or later Argentina national team versions, knowing Messi’s age and career progression provides meaningful context.