It's been 16 years since Lionel Messi, at age 19, scored his first career hat trick. It came against Real Madrid.
On May 10, 2007, a 19-year-old Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch at the Camp Nou to face arch-rivals Real Madrid in a highly anticipated match. Little did anyone know at the time that this would be the night that Messi would announce himself as a future legend of the game.
Messi was already regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in world football, but he had yet to establish himself as a regular starter for Barcelona. However, in this game, he was given the chance to shine, and he grabbed it with both hands.
It took Messi just 14 minutes to open the scoring, as he latched onto a through ball from Ronaldinho and calmly slotted the ball past Iker Casillas. But he was far from done.
Just before half-time, Messi doubled Barcelona's lead with a stunning solo effort. He picked up the ball on the halfway line and ran past four Real Madrid players before firing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
And then, just two minutes into the second half, Messi completed his hat-trick with another superb individual goal. This time he weaved his way past three defenders before chipping the ball over Casillas and into the net.
It was a stunning display of skill and composure from a player who was still only a teenager. The Camp Nou erupted as Messi celebrated his hat-trick, and the Real Madrid players could only look on in disbelief.
Messi's performance that night was a sign of things to come. Over the next 16 years, he would go on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning countless individual awards and leading Barcelona to numerous domestic and European titles.
But for many fans, that night in May 2007 will always hold a special place in their hearts. It was the night that Messi announced himself to the world, and it was against Barcelona's biggest rivals, no less. It was a legendary performance from a legendary player.
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