Albacete: Two special connections
FC Barcelona travel to face Albacete, an opponent that immediately brings to mind two names who have left an indelible mark on Barça history: Leo Messi and Andrés Iniesta. Two former club players who thrilled the blaugrana faithful with their magical performances thus once again come to the fore.
Iniesta's first big club
Andrés Iniesta was the first to forge a connection with Albacete. Born in Fuentealbilla, a town in the same region of La Mancha, he arrived at Barcelona’s training centre from the youth ranks of Albacete Balompié when he was just 12 years old. It was the start of a very special career at the club, which saw him develop into one of the greatest midfielders in football history.
Iniesta played for the Barça first team for 16 seasons, from 2002 to 2018. Years filled with success, during which he produced majestic football and lifted 32 trophies.
The four Champions League titles undoubtedly stand out in an enviable honours list, and Iniesta played a decisive role in all of them. From the first in Paris in 2006, when he came off the bench to change the game, through the second in 2009 (featuring the iconic goal at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals) to the final two triumphs in 2011 and 2015, when he formed an unrivalled midfield alongside Xavi Hernández and Sergio Busquets. All of this alongside Leo Messi, another Barça legend with strong ties to Albacete...
Messi's first goal
All the chapters of the Argentine star’s career at FC Barcelona are well known, and truly unique. But ahead of this Copa del Rey quarter-final, the focus falls on the beginning of his goalscoring story. Because it was against this very side, at Camp Nou on 1 May 2005.
A young Messi, with long hair, was just 17 years and 10 months old, becoming at the time the second-youngest Barça player ever to score in the league, a record later surpassed by both Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
Wearing number 30, Messi received a delicate chipped pass from Ronaldinho and, spotting the goalkeeper off his line, finished with a sublime lob to seal the match. It was the first goal from a footballer who would go on to captivate both the sport and Barça, playing a decisive role in the 35 trophies he won with the club for which he is the all-time leading goalscorer, along with a host of other amazing records.