2007 Barcelona Home – Lionel Messi #19 Small

The 2007/08 season marked a turbulent but pivotal moment in FC Barcelona’s history, as the team entered the final chapter of the Frank Rijkaard era and began transitioning toward a new generation built around a young Lionel Messi. Despite inconsistency and disappointment in trophies, this season is remembered for Messi’s emergence as the club’s undeniable superstar.

• La Liga:

  • Finished 3rd, behind Real Madrid and Villarreal, with 67 points.

  • Barcelona struggled with defensive lapses and away form, winning only 4 matches on the road.

  • A 4–1 El Clásico loss at the Bernabéu highlighted the need for renewal within the squad.

• UEFA Champions League:

  • Reached the semifinals, losing 1–0 on aggregate to Manchester United (Paul Scholes’ long-range goal).

  • Messi was Barcelona’s standout player throughout the European campaign.

• Copa del Rey:

  • Eliminated in the semifinals by Valencia (4–3 on aggregate).

• Key Storyline:

  • The 2007/08 season represented the end of an era — with Ronaldinho, Deco, and Thuram departing soon after.

  • It also set the stage for Pep Guardiola’s 2008/09 revolution, built around Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi.

• Kit:
  The 2007/08 Barcelona home jersey, by Nike, featured the traditional half-and-half design — one half blue, one half red — with a bold yellow V-neck collar. The Unicef logo adorned the front, reflecting the club’s commitment to social causes. This kit became iconic as the shirt worn during Messi’s breakout into world superstardom.

2. Player’s Impact – Lionel Messi (2007/08)

At just 20 years old, Lionel Messi transformed from a rising talent into Barcelona’s most important player. Despite battling injuries midway through the season, he was electric every time he stepped on the pitch.

• Appearances: 40 matches in all competitions.

• Statistics: 16 goals and 13 assists.

• Key Moments:

  • Scored a sensational solo goal against Getafe in the Copa del Rey (comparable to Maradona’s 1986 run).

  • Netted twice vs. Sevilla and Atlético Madrid in crucial league fixtures.

  • Tore apart Celtic and Lyon in the Champions League, earning global recognition for his brilliance.

  • Provided key assists in Europe, including in the quarterfinal win over Schalke 04.

• Role: Played primarily as a right winger, cutting inside onto his left foot — the early form of his trademark style.

• Legacy:

  • The 2007/08 season was the year Messi became Barça’s heartbeat, carrying the team amid inconsistency.

  • His performances against top European clubs cemented his reputation as the future of world football.

  • By season’s end, he was already being compared to legends — and seen as Ronaldinho’s true successor.

3. Full Squad List – FC Barcelona 2007/08

Manager: Frank Rijkaard

Goalkeepers:

• Víctor Valdés

• José Manuel Pinto

• Albert Jorquera

Defenders:

• Carles Puyol (Captain)

• Gabriel Milito

• Rafael Márquez

• Lilian Thuram

• Eric Abidal

• Gianluca Zambrotta

• Sylvinho

• Oleguer Presas

Midfielders:

• Xavi Hernández

• Andrés Iniesta

• Deco

• Edmílson

• Yaya Touré

• Eidur Gudjohnsen

Forwards:

• Lionel Messi

• Ronaldinho

• Samuel Eto’o

• Thierry Henry

• Bojan Krkić

• Giovanni dos Santos

✅ The 2007/08 Barcelona Home Jersey – Lionel Messi #19 is a vintage football classic, representing the dawn of a new era in Catalonia. Worn during Messi’s breakout season as the club’s new talisman, this half-red, half-blue Nike design symbolizes transition — from Ronaldinho’s artistry to Messi’s reign. A must-have for collectors, this shirt captures the moment the greatest player of all time truly arrived.