Messi 2005–06 season

On 16 September, for the second time in three months, FC Barcelona announced an update to Messi's contract - this time improved to pay him as a first team member and extended till June 2014.^[7][12] Messi obtained Spanish citizenship on 25 September and was finally able to make his début in the season's Spanish First Division. He had previously been unable to play because Barcelona had filled their quota of non-EU players. Messi's first home outing in the UEFA Champions League came on 27 September against Italian club Udinese.^[13] He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Camp Nou faithful.^[14]

Messi netted six goals in seventeen league appearances, and scored one Champions League goal in six. However, his season ended prematurely on 7 March 2006 when he suffered a muscle tear in his right thigh during the second leg of the second round Champions League tie against Chelsea.^[15] Barcelona ended the season as champions of Spain and Europe.