Barcelona news: Think you’ve seen Lionel Messi’s first goal for Barca? Catalan giants release footage of superstar opening his account a YEAR before famous chip against Albacete

FOOTAGE of Lionel Messi scoring his first-ever goal for Barcelona is going viral - because it's not the strike you're thinking of.

Messi's first goal for the Catalan giants is usually give as the one against Albacete on 1st May 2005, where he was mobbed by Brazilian Ronaldinho after a sumptuous chip.

But in face the magical first goal actually took place a year previous - on Tuesday 20th July 2004 against Palamos - who are based in the Palamos port city in Spain’s Costa Brava.

Keep up to date with ALL the Barcelona news, gossip and transfers on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary.

Messi - who is now Barcelona's all-time top scorer - was just 17 and despite his young age already had a buyout clause of £70.2million.

Coached by Dutch legend Frank Rijkaard and led on the field by Ronaldinho, Messi picked up the loose ball and scored against the hosts after easily beating two defenders.

His trademark drop of the shoulder and change of direction were all in evidence as the pint-sized Argentine wrong-foots the keeper from 18 yards.

The video was released by the Catalan club to celebrate the Argentine virtuoso scoring his 500th goal for the team.

The match ended in a 6-0 win for Barcelona, with other goals from Gerard Lopez, Andres Iniesta, Luis Garcia and Joan Verdu.

The goal - which can now be considered ‘vintage Messi’ - is going viral around the world after the club posted the unedited and, they claim, never-before-published video to celebrate the player and all his achievements.

Lionel Messi reached the 500-goal landmark for the club last Sunday  but some critics have said the stats are ‘fake’ - because they include friendlies.

Several media outlets have said he still has another 31 goals to score in competitive matches before he can claim the feat.