For a young, up-and-coming player, scoring in their debut game is something every footballer dreams of, especially when playing for a big club as Barcelona.
This was something young Blaugrana starlet Munir El Haddadi achieved. In the absence of Brazilian ace Neymar due to injury, El Haddadi was given the thumbs up by coach Luis Enrique, opening his goalscoring account for the Catalan side in his first ever La Liga outing, in front of the thousands of loyal Barcelona fans attending the Camp Nou fixture.
Netting past Elche goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton in the 46th minute with a well taken shot, giving the home side a 2-0 lead, Munir put in an impressive display for the Liga BBVA giants before being substituted off for Pedro Rodriguez in the 67th minute.
WATCH Munir El Haddadi score his first ever La Liga goal for Barcelona in his Spanish Primeira Division debut
The Spanish-born Moroccan has enjoyed a meteoric rise from the under-19 side to the senior squad, one that bears in resemblance to that of another La Masia graduate, one of the club's greatest ever youth products, Argentine ace Lionel Messi. This has got many dubbing the 18-year-old "the next Messi".
This was later echoed by Barcelona's 44-year-old manager, who stated after the final whistle: "Munir is tearing through the levels at a terrifying rate. He gives us options, he scores goals and he's competitive."
Munir El Haddadi: "The next Lionel Messi"
Munir Haddadi Like Neymar, The Next Messi... #LaMasiaPower pic.twitter.com/9OUtXYWUd0
— Barça Fans Club (@barcafans_club) August 25, 2014
Munir is top class player.. Next Messi..
— BⓛⓤⓔCⓘⓣⓘⓩⓔⓝ (@BlueCitizen007) August 24, 2014
Munir could be the next Messi #talent
— Arsenal Harry (@AFC_Harry34) August 24, 2014
I wouldn't be surprised if Munir turned out to be the next Messi!, the guy is amazing!
— вαℓтαzαя ѕöяια (@Baltazar_Soria) August 24, 2014
Despite the Argentine scoring a brace in Sunday's game, Munir overshadowed Messi, becoming the hottest topic of discussion from Barcelona's curtain-raiser. El Haddadi's performance electrified the home fans so much, it earned him a standing ovation when Luis Enrique decided to remove the youngster from the pitch.
The 18-year-old youngster received a standing ovation from the Camp Nou crowd
Standing ovation for Munir from the Camp Nou crowd ! #fcblive
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 24, 2014
Munir El Haddidi has left his finger print in La Liga already, a very young superstar in the making!
— TeeFa (@TeeFaAmin) August 24, 2014
The Spanish-born Moroccan attacker is yet another exciting product of Barca's world-renowned La Masia youth academy
Viva La Masia!!!!!!
— RIP Tito (@messileftfoot) August 24, 2014
Munir though stayed humble after the game, admitting that playing at Camp Nou alongside Lionel Messi is an "honor" itself.
"I'm very happy with my debut, the goal and the team's work," the player expressed while speaking to Canal +.
"The truth is that it's an honour to score at Camp Nou, play alongside Lionel Messi and all the first team players.
"Luis Enrique told me to keep doing it this way. I hope to get some minutes, I'll keep working and see what happens."
"It's an honor to score at Camp Nou in a game with Messi.” Munir pic.twitter.com/wMsWLNPM8d
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) August 24, 2014
El Haddadi burst into the spotlight with this wonder goal for Barcelona in the U19 UCL final vs Benfica, which the Blaugrana won 3-0
Messi though did not disappoint, opening the scoring with his first shot of the game, before adding to his tally in the second half, making it 3-0 as the Albiceleste star became the first player in La Liga history to score 2+ goals in his club's opening game in four consecutive seasons.
Messi became the first player in La Liga history to score 2+ goals in four consecutive league openers
RECORD! Messi becomes 1st player in Liga history to score 2+ goals in his team's opening game in 4 consecutive seasons [via @barca19stats]
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) August 24, 2014
Lionel Messi scores for Barcelona with his first shot on target of the La Liga season. Same old story. pic.twitter.com/oeJAMC77D9
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 24, 2014
Is the Argentine ace back to his best form?
Messi is playing and moving like...Messi. The master is back to his best.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 24, 2014