<P> As the Messi family had relatives in Catalonia , they sought to arrange a trial with Barcelona in September 2000 . First team director Charly Rexach immediately wanted to sign him , but the board of directors hesitated ; at the time it was highly unusual for European clubs to sign foreign players of such a young age . On 14 December , an ultimatum was issued for Barcelona to prove their commitment , and Rexach , with no other paper at hand , offered a contract on a paper napkin . In February 2001 , the family relocated to Barcelona , where they moved into an apartment near the club 's stadium , Camp Nou . During his first year in Spain , Messi rarely played with the Infantiles due to a transfer conflict with Newell 's ; as a foreigner , he could only be fielded in friendlies and the Catalan league . Without football , he struggled to integrate into the team ; already reserved by nature , he was so quiet that his teammates initially believed he was mute . At home , he suffered from homesickness after his mother moved back to Rosario with his brothers and little sister , María Sol , while he stayed in Barcelona with his father . </P>
when did lionel messi play his first game for barcelona
2001