Lionel Messi's best Champions League goals

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is not only a defender’s nightmare but also a writer’s nightmare as well. It is indeed getting very strenuous to find new superlatives every day for this superhuman forward.He does things which were only done in FIFA games and reportedly by his own admission, he thinks that his virtual version has some limitations as compared to his real self. Now, that is quite something!Lionel Messi’s tally currently stands at 76 goals and along with Cristiano Ronaldo he is among the top 2 highest goalscorers in the Champions League.Here is a look at his ten best Champions League goals which remarkably standout in his tally of 76.

#1 His first European goal - Panathinaikos

This is the goal which made the whole world stand up and take notice of the diminutive teenager from La Masia. Although this match is more or less remembered for a sublime hat-trick by Samuel Eto’o, years down the line it will also be recalled as the match in which Messi scored his first European goal for FC Barcelona.

The goal is special not only because it’s his first goal in the continental extravaganza, but also the manner in which he scored the goal. The first touch that he took to get away from goalkeeper was straight from the textbook of legendary forwards like Gerd Mueller and Pele.

A decade later, it is safe to speak his name alongside these luminaries of world football after his goalscoring exploits.

#2 The Classic chip - Bayer Leverkusen

Matches like these usually take place once in a decade. Well, not if you’re a certain Lionel Messi. It is nearly impossible to score a fiver in a single match, but a goal machine of his calibre has repeated such feats more frequently than anyone else.

The goal which is bone of the contention is the audacious chip with which Barca and Messi ran riot in maniac spell of 13 minutes.

He lobbed the ball over Leverkusen stopper Bend Leno, who by the way was standing at his full height a good 10 yards off his goal and charging towards the Argentine. The precision and the accuracy of this shot was purely magical. Bliss is the feeling which that goal always generates.

#3 When he silenced the Gunners - Arsenal

This is the one which absolutely came out of nothing. Arsenal were in the driver’s seat as they were leading 1-0 at Camp Nou but it looked like La Pulga was not particularly impressed by the scoreline.

So he just thumped one from outside of the box and what a shot it was. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia had no chance.

But what tops everything, is the passionate celebration which ensued after the goal was scored. Never till then had anyone seen him so pumped up after scoring a goal. Watching only the first minute of this video will show you what it’s all about.

#4 Cannonade in Copenhagen

This one is quite similar to the one he scored against the Gunners but this goal just emboldened the fact that he can practically score from anywhere on the pitch with no or near non-existent creativity on the pitch.

The Danish side covered all their bases and this particular Barca move was heading to a dead end just like the earlier moves in the game. But then came Messi and the rest is history.

A thunderbolt from just outside the box settled the tie for Pep Guardiola’s boys which was very much evident from his expression after the goal was scored.

#5 The Screamer vs Stuttgart

This one is also a long range effort by Poco Maradona. It was a screamer in true sense. The previous ones were more or less about the power and his abilty. But this one is about his finishing.

Like a surgeon’s precision he placed the ball into the top corner, that too from some distance. Also, the goal was a result of a counter attack led by the man himself. Three skips and hops and bang into the top corner, quite contrary to Tiki-Taka which La Blaugrana used to follow in those days.

#6 Simply Awesome vs Ajax

Lionel Messi surely has some special bond with the Dutch giants. He always keeps his special moments reserved for them.

It was in August of 2013 and the Amsterdam Arena was buzzing with Ajax fans and ultras singing their hearts out and backing their team. They never expected a win a against the mighty Catalans but they were in for a visual treat that evening.

A stunning freekick from Leo Messi! Well this one was very much reminiscent to the legendary free kicks from David Beckham.

#7 Arsenal once again!

This goal against the Arsene Wenger’s boys was just stellar. This was a typical Barcelona goal where they interlinked with one other and their talisman finishing it off in the style.

If you look at this goal closely it is strikingly similar to his debut goal vs Panathinaikos FC. Both the goals had same first touch and a similar finish. Well it seems even Leo has his own Throwback Thursday! And the Gunners like every-time had no answer to the brilliance of Argentina captain.

It was hard to leave this one out as it has some sentimental value attached to it, this goal by Messi is one of my personal favourites.

#8 Magical goal vs AC Milan

This goal practically is being dubbed as the goal that killed AC Milan in 2013. Milan had a superb first leg in San Siro, where they outfoxed Barcelona and gained a vital advantage in their Round of 16 tie.

Within five minutes in the return leg at the Camp Nou, Barca crafted a beautiful goal which is widely regarded as one of the best goals by Barca in that season. In two touches, Messi gave himself so much space that he could’ve chosen the exact spot to place the ball.

His strike rattled of the post into the back of the net and Barca began hunting down Milan from then on as they thumped them 4-0 and in process became first team to overturn a two goal deficit in knockout stages of UEFA Champions League.

#9 Winner in Rome vs Manchester United

The finals of 2009 in Romes Stadio Olympico will always be remembered for one thing other than complete annihilation of Sir Alex Fergusons Manchester United.

A header by anyone against the defence comprising of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand is simply noteworthy. Especially by an individual who is 58 tall and almost half a foot shorter than the two burly centre-halves marking him in the box.

That goal by the Argentine magician still haunts all the United fans! Im saying this from my personal experience.

#10 A classic goal in El Clasico - 2011

This was the period when the Clasicos were played quite frequently. The tempers used to run very high during these ties. The matches were so ill-tempered that even the personnel on the sidelines found it hard to keep their emotions in check.

Amongst all those Clasico’s there is a once in a century goal scored by the Cules’ icon on the enemy territory. Well, Messi is no stranger to scoring in El Clasico but the manner in which he scored his second goal in the first leg of Champions League semifinals in Santiago Bernabeu, was breathtaking!

A unchaperoned run by the little man right through the heart of Real Madrid midfield and defense before slotting the ball home past Iker Casillas! This is widely considered the ‘best goal in the history UEFA Champions League.’

A shade of his compatriot Diego Maradona was visible in a startling manner. It is the best goal by the great Lionel Messi in his Champions League career till date, in my opinion. Period.

#11 Messi\'s magic vs Bayern (2015)

Leo Messi is not one to fade when the big occasion comes. In their treble-winning campaign, they came up against Bayern Munich in the semi-final of the Champions League.

Barcelona were playing at home in the first leg and former coach Pep Guardiola was on the other side. The Bavarians held out for the best part of 70 minutes keeping the game goalless and posing some threat in front of Barcelona’s goal.

Their resistance, however, was futile in the end as Messi broke the deadlock with a strike from the edge of the box. He was only warming up with that one as just minutes later he came up with yet another moment of magic that would leave most of the world in open-mouthed awe and Jerome Boateng quite literally on the floor.