Messi credits Ronaldinho for easing his 16‑year‑old debut at Barcelona

Lionel Messi explained that the support of Brazilian star [Ronaldinho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldinho) was pivotal when he entered [FC Barcelona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona)’s first‑team dressing room at just 16 years old in 2004, allowing the young Argentine to overcome intimidation and adapt quickly to top‑flight football.

**Key details**

• Messi made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2004, joining a squad that included established names such as Samuel Eto’o, Xavi, and Carles Puyol.
• The Argentine recalled that the presence of stars initially made him nervous, describing himself as “shy” and “hard to come out of my shell.”
• According to Messi, Ronaldinho and other teammates urged him to ignore reputations, focus on the game he loved, and simply enjoy playing.
• He quoted the advice: “Forget about everything, forget the context, and just enjoy myself and do what I had been doing all my life since I was a kid.”
• The comments were made during a talk with students in Oviedo on Thursday, ahead of Messi receiving the [Princess of Asturias Award for Sports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_of_Asturias_Awards#Sports).

**What did the senior players tell him?**

Messi said the veterans encouraged him not to be daunted by their fame. They told him to “do what I loved doing and what I enjoyed,” reinforcing the idea that performance, not pedigree, mattered.

**Why is this recollection significant?**

The Argentine later became Barcelona’s all‑time leading scorer and collected numerous major trophies with the club, underscoring how early mentorship contributed to a historic career.

**Background**

When Messi arrived, Barcelona was in a transitional phase, with Ronaldinho serving as the marquee player who attracted global attention. His willingness to mentor a teenage newcomer reflected the club’s culture of integrating youth talent, a practice that later produced stars like Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.

Messi’s reflections highlight the lasting impact of veteran guidance on emerging talent, a theme that resonates across football academies worldwide.