On This Day: Messi scored first Barca goal; Madrid eliminated Barca in UCL semis

Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (May 1st) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, feel free to post them in the comment area and share them with AFers.

On this day in 2005, Messi scored his first goal for Barcelona

No one could have predicted just how many more goals would follow for this long-haired, baby-faced 17-year-old from Rosario, Argentina.

Of course, there were plenty at Barcelona who predicted tremendous success for Messi as he was developing into a phenomenon within the club's La Masia academy, but perhaps not quite on the history-making levels the 30-year old has achieved in world football.

The goal itself, scored during a 2-0 victory over Albacete at Camp Nou, may not be quite as memorable as some of Messi's glorious goals, but in hindsight, it was an iconic announcement of a soon to be changing of the guard, with Brazilian legend Ronaldinho laying the goal on for the man who would eventually succeed him as Barcelona's king.

On this day in 2002, Real Madrid eliminated Barcelona in UCL semis

By May of 2002, they had already played each other three times. Madrid won twice, including a 2-0 victory in the semifinal's first leg (the other match was a 1-1 draw in the league). Playing before a crowd of 75,000 at the Bernabéu, Barcelona pressed for the needed goals, but it was Madrid who took the lead with a left-footed shot from Raúl in the 43rd minute.

Barça were finally rewarded in the 48th minute when Madrid defender Iván Helguera deflected a cross into his own net. The visitors continued to press for chances, but wasted them as shots from Javier Saviola, Patrick Kluivert, Luis Enrique, and Geovanni all shot wide.

The match ended 1-1 and Madrid went on to the Final in Glasgow where they beat Bayer Leverkusen, 1-2.

On this day in 2018, Bayern keeper Ulreich made nightmare mistake vs Madrid

Just 20 seconds in to the second half of Bayern Munich’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Real Madrid, the score was tied, 1-1. Bayern Munich had the ball in their end, and Real Madrid was putting a bit of pressure on. So a pass went back to Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich, and this is the part where those with weak stomachs need to close their eyes.

Ulreich had several options there. He could have kicked the ball out. He could have picked it up, and given up a possible indirect free kick to Real Madrid if the backpass rule was called, which would not have been ideal, but, you know, better than what he did choose.

What he chose was to just let the ball slide past him and Madrid’s Karim Benzema score one of the easiest goals of his career.

On this day in 1987, Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci was born

Alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, establishing himself as one of the best defenders in world football. He went on to win six consecutive Serie A titles with the team between 2012 and 2017. In 2017, he moved to A.C. Milan, and one season later returned to Juventus.
A former midfielder who is usually deployed as a ball-playing centre-back in a three-man defence, Bonucci is primarily known for his technique, passing range, and his ability to launch an attack from the back with long passes. Although he is not the quickest player over short distances, he is a tall, mobile, and strong defender, with a good positional sense, as well as good anticipation, solid tackling, and an ability to read the game and mark opponents, on top of his ball skills; he also excels in the air, and frequently poses a goal threat from set pieces.

On this day in 1975, Former Cameroonian international Marc-Vivien Foe was born

Foé had success in France's Division 1 and England's Premier League, before his sudden death during an international competitive match shocked the football community worldwide.

On 26 June 2003, Cameroon faced Colombia in the semi-final, held at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France. In the 72nd minute of the match Foé collapsed in the centre circle with no other players near him. After attempts to resuscitate him on the pitch, he was stretchered off the field, where he received mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen. Medics spent 45 minutes attempting to restart his heart, and although he was still alive upon arrival at the stadium's medical centre, he died shortly afterwards. A first autopsy did not determine an exact cause of death, but a second autopsy concluded that Foé's death was heart-related as it discovered evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a hereditary condition known to increase the risk of sudden death during physical exercise.

On this day in 1981, Former Barca & Arsenal star Alexander Hleb was born

Hleb's natural and preferred position is attacking midfielder or "in the hole" behind the strikers, but he is often deployed on the wing. He is known for his passing, agility and dribbling ability. A full international for Belarus since 2001, he has won over 70 caps for his country.

Hleb was always a popular figure at Arsenal, and the fans reciprocated the effort he brought to the team by inventing a song to the tune of Johnnie Allan's Rubber Dolly, "Alexander Hleb, Alexander Hleb, He's good at football, Alexander Hleb"

Hleb was called "Zauberlehrling" or "Sorcerer's Apprentice" for his silky skills and dazzling tricks in Germany when he played in the Bundesliga.

On this day in 1982, Croatia legend Darijo Srna was born

Srna is the most capped player in the history of the Croatia national team with over 130 caps, having represented his country at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, as well as at UEFA Euro 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. He is the most capped player in the history of Shakhtar. to the extent of being even referred to as the "Icon of Shakhtar". While with Shakhtar, Srna had offers from clubs like Chelsea and Bayern Munich, which he declined due to his loyalty to the club.