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When a long-haired, 17-year-old boy trotted into the pitch in the Catalan Derby, little did the world know that he will soon be the king of football? The name on the back of the shirt read clear as day, Lionel Messi. This was the kid who impressed Fabio Capello mid-game in the Joan Gamper Trophy against Juventus.
Capello even asked Frank Rijkaard, the then Barcelona manager, to sign him on a loan deal. Success soon followed the little magician, who scored his first league goal with an audacious chip. The ruckus that he created at Stamford Bridge in 2005, against great defenders like Terry, Makelele, and Del Horno, is still the best teenage performance till day.
Years have gone by. 14 years ago, Novak Djokovic was World No. 340, Barcelona only had one Champions League title, LeBron James was a rookie and Lionel Messi was just another teenager making a hopeful debut. From his little shivers when he replaced Deco in the Catalan Derby to deciding El Clasicos on his own, Lionel has grown in his coveted career.
Over 500 goals, five Ballon d'Or awards, 33 trophies speak volumes of Lionel Messi’s talent. Messi has seen all that one can in his footballing career. A World Cup Final, A Copa America Final, a Champions League final and many a crucial league matches. He has beaten terrific goalkeepers, scored some wonder goals.
In 14 long years, Lionel has earned praises from team-mates, opponents, coaches and has forced some musical commentaries from those in the box. So many great moments, we visit our nostalgic past of Lionel Messi. The best moments of Lionel Messi’s mesmerizing career.
The first goal:
Barcelona vs Albacete, Camp Nou, 1st May 2005
Frank Rijkaard knew in his mind that he has the match sealed. Albacete was never going to make it back into the match. Keeping the situation in consideration, Rijkaard thought it as a perfect moment to let the young kid breathe the Camp Nou atmosphere. Little did Rijkaard know, that his substitution will be top scorer in the history of Barcelona and La Liga.
Chipping is an art that not many can master. Let alone master, it cannot even be executed without sheer talent. Within three minutes off coming on, the young man with number 30 on his back, chipped the ball over the Albacete keeper, but it was mistakenly ruled offside. Destiny had already decided that it would be the day when Lionel Messi’s left foot will strike first.
Messi got his chance again after a minute or two. Ronaldinho chipped over the defence to Messi and Messi chipped the ball even better, straight over the keeper to the far post. Lionel Messi rode on Ronaldinho’s back while celebrating his goal and sure enough, today Barcelona rides on his back.
The First Hattrick:
Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Camp Nou, 10th March 2007
The first is always forgotten but it has the utmost importance. The first goal from Messi’s sublime left foot came off an assist from Ronaldinho. It was a stepping stone to the hundreds that he has now. Lionel Messi’s first hat-trick was nothing short of a miracle. Facing Real Madrid in the biggest league match, going down thrice, a man down for a full half, Barcelona had to toil hard on the pitch. Lionel Messi was Barcelona’s saviour that day and from that day forth he became the ‘Messiah’.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy opened the scoring within 5 minutes and struck again from the spot in the 13th minute. Lionel Messi, still only 19, cancelled out the goals on two different occasions. In the 11th minute, off the assist from Eto’o past Casillas and also the 28th minute off a rebound. Messi pummeled the ball with intent into the net for the second goal. Things became bad for Barcelona at the stroke of half-time when Oleguer was sent off. Conditions became worse when Sergio Ramos scored one among his many important headers in the 73rd minute.
90 minutes down, Real Madrid sensed a victory inside the Camp Nou. It was not to be. In the 91st minute, Ronaldinho picked Messi out unconvincingly outside the box. Messi made a convincing flooring Gago on his way inside the box and catapulted the ball past the stretch of Ramos and Casillas.
The 97000 inside the Camp Nou rejoiced, they found a new hero. The way the kid celebrated, with repeated kisses to the crest in front of his home crowd, falling into the arms of Ronaldinho, everyone knew this is Barcelona’s trump card for the next decade.
The commentary from the match sounds in the ears as if I heard yesterday. It was Rob Palmer and Jerry Armstrong in the commentary box and this came from the heart of Rob Palmer.
“That wonderful left foot of Messi has struck again. 19 years of age, he scores a hattrick. Not only does he score, but he has also scored for 10-man Barca, in extra time. You can’t write a script like this”
The goal of the century at just 19 years of age
Messi vs Getafe, Camp Nou, La Liga, 2006-07
Messi was just a 19-year-old with the number 19 on his back. He was expected to play well but certainly not to score an outrageous goal, much similar to Diego Maradona’s epic world cup goal. When people saw Maradona’s goal of the century, people doubted they would ever see a miracle like that. Lionel Messi had already shown potential to become the greatest Argentine in history and the goal just strengthened the argument.
A simple pass from Xavi found Leo Messi behind the halfway line. He was surrounded by two Getafe defenders, still, he kept the ball stuck with his left foot and whizzed past those two. He accelerated at tremendous speed and left defenders in his trail.
He controlled the ball with astute clarity among the defensive crowd near the box, rounded the keeper and finished the move. Lionel Messi beat a total of 6 players on his way to goal, the other 5 could only watch from distance.
Messi’s goal of the century is one of his best goals. Since then he has scored a number of solo goals and he is the still the master of solo goals.
The 6-2 win against Madrid
Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Santiago Bernabeu, 2nd May 2009
In one of the most one-sided El Clasicos, Barcelona bulldozed Real Madrid by a four-goal margin and put six past Iker Casillas. When Gonzalo Higuain pushed his header past Victor Valdes, it seemed like Barcelona will in for a long night against the Galacticos. The complexion of the game changed very quickly with Messi and Xavi dictating terms in the midfield.
Lionel Messi unleashed his stalwart chip with Canavarro staring dead straight at him. The ball looped over the helpless acrobatic kick of Sergio Ramos and fell right into Thierry Henry.
Real Madrid’s defence tried to play through Barcelona’s press and it was a grave mistake. Xavi pinched the ball from under the nose of Lass Diarra and Lionel Messi went off in a moronic run to finish the ball past Iker Casillas. To top off the classic route, Messi and Xavi combined in a brilliant passage of play.
Messi passed to Xavi who came under immediate press from Cannavaro and Van Der Vaart. Messi slid past the defence like a shadow and Xavi found him with immediate accuracy. Messi was way ahead for Heinze or Cannavaro to track back and he zipped the ball past Iker Casillas with authority.
A satisfying demolition of the Real Madrid team at their very home all but closed the doors for title competition for Madrid. Lionel Messi at the focal point of the demolition.
The nightmare of Bernabeu
The Santiago Bernabeu, home to Real Madrid, one of the most unforgiving away crowds and if the opponent is Barcelona, then nothing needs to be said. The Madridistas are at their vocal best during El Clasicos, cheering their team on while jeering every bit of Barcelona’s possession.
The stature that Messi possesses makes the defence that tad too aware. Still, the Bernabeu has witnessed some classic destructive performances from Lionel Messi.
The marvellous goal against Real Madrid
Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, UEFA Champions League 2010-11, Semi-finals, II leg
Messi is the nightmare of Bernabeu, no doubt. This game was another prime example of why it is so. Messi scored two goals in the match, the second, out of this world. Just like an alchemist turns metals into gold, Messi turned a simple pass near the midfield into a goal.
The move started with a Messi pass to Sergio Busquets. Busquets saw Messi forward running movement and returned it. Messi went forward easing past Lass Diarra. He went further and turned away from Raul Albiol’s pressure. Messi had Marcelo covering from his right and Ramos trying to push him offline from his left. Messi didn’t take a split second longer for finishing when he came near Iker and pushed the ball in with his unlikely right foot.
From near the kick-off circle, it took Messi only six neat touches to beat Ramos, Lass, Arbeloa, and Casillas. A dribble move from near the midfield and Messi completed it in a mere 5 or 6 seconds. One of the best goals in the history of the Champions League.
Peter Drury’s poetic commentary is the icing on the cake.
“Messi, away from 2.. 3.. 4.. Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful. How good is he? A mere supernatural goal from Lionel Messi. He has wriggled and tiptoed his way to the gates of Wembley Stadium. He is just brilliant, the best in the world bar none.” –Peter Drury
The best Champions League finals performance ever:
Manchester United vs Barcelona, Wembley, 28th May 2011
Two teams with a rich history, going into the Champions League finals as league champions. Pep Guardiola and Alex Ferguson, two great coaches. The midfield boasting the talent of Giggs, Carrick, Xavi, and Iniesta. The Wembley pitch acted host to one of the most iconic finals in Champions League history. The title decider was no doubt, a 24 year old, who had doomed Manchester United two years back with his header in Rome.
Lionel Messi’s antics on the pitch turned out to be one of the best performance in the Champions League finals. Absolutely schooling the Manchester United defence and midfield, not giving them an edge of the ball, Lionel Messi was gliding in the pitch. It took 54 minutes for the little man to find the back of the net, with an outrageous curving long-range shot. The ball whizzed past Ferdinand, Vidic and the outstretched hand of Edwin Van Der Sar.
But the classic Lionel Messi moment was his celebration of David Villa’s goal. Smiling, down on his knees, both hands straight up towards the heavens. Lionel was at the extreme end when Eric Abidal collected the trophy but he was leading the march down to the pitch with it. One of the greatest Champions League finals performance, earning the Fans’ and the UEFA Man of the Match Award.
The hat-trick in the 4-3 win
Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, 23rd March 2014
Barcelona and Real Madrid were played out one of the most enthralling Clasicos in 2014. A goal's galore with only one separating both teams brought the very best out of the El Clasico. Lionel Messi was the deciding factor with a hat-trick that sealed Barcelona’s comeback victory. Several lead changes and equalizers made it even more thrilling.
Messi gave dangerous signs early in the game releasing Neymar on a 1v1 with his through ball. The defence didn’t bother to close him down and stayed on the conservative. Messi took full advantage of the situation, finding Iniesta with a picture-perfect pass. Iniesta smashed the ball past Diego Lopez to give Barcelona a 6th-minute lead.
Messi didn’t stop there, he pulled a 1v1 just wide, played Neymar in again behind the defence. Several chances not being converted hit Barcelona hard and Benzema scored 2 goals in as many minutes to steer Madrid in front.
The Bernabeu and Carlo Ancelotti erupted. They sat free for about 20 minutes until the little man came in front of the defence again. He moved past the physical defence of Modric, Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo all alone, found Neymar got a return pass and slid the ball past Diego Lopez. The teams went into halftime tied 2-2.
Real Madrid romped in front again following a controversial Cristiano Ronaldo penalty which should have been a free-kick. The Bernabeu celebrated again along with Ronaldo and Ramos screaming at the top of their emotions. Messi still didn’t let them be, he found Neymar with a through ball and Ramos had no choice but to foul him. It was another controversy as Ramos just smashed a hand on Neymar’s rib area and he was sent off.
Messi stepped up and put the ball out of Diego Lopez’s reach into the far right side. Messi was at the spot again in the 83rd minute following a clumsy challenge on Iniesta. Messi put it into the top right corner this time and went off kissing his chest and pointing to the sky while staring at the topmost tier of Santiago Bernabeu.
Messi’s hat-trick sunk Madrid and not for the first time in his career.
The embarrassment of Neuer and Boateng
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich, Camp Nou, UEFA Champions League 2014-15, Semi-Finals, 7th May, 2015
Barcelona were hosting a rampant Munich side who they had lost to in a bizarre fashion two years back. The Camp Nou certainly hoped for a better showing than last time from their players. Manuel Neuer shockingly dropped a gauntlet in the pre-match conference. He said and I quote, “I will show Messi who’s the boss”.
Certainly a very bad choice, he was at the receiving end of the capitol Lionel Messi punishment after 75 minutes. Bayern didn’t concede till 78th minute but Leo Messi struck a brilliant left-footed strike from outside the box to put Barcelona ahead. It wasn’t the last thing that Neuer had to suffer. In fact, Neuer and Jerome Boateng both where embarrassed by the magical left and right foot of Lionel Messi.
Messi ran straight at the defence again, a minute or two later. Jerome Boateng was the only human between Neuer and Messi and Lionel floored him. A sleek movement of his left foot, he carved the ball towards his right-hand side which twisted the whole body of Boateng. While the angle turned a bit bad for Lionel following Neuer’s approach near him.
He chipped the ball with his right foot, up and over the helpless Manuel Neuer and over the attempted clearance from Lahm. Barcelona went on to the finals in Berlin and won it.
“Here he is again, here he is again, that’s astonishing…., absolutely world class!!! He has taken them apart.”
The physics-defying goal
Messi vs Athletic Bilbao, Camp Nou, Copa Del Rey 2015, Final, 31st May, 2015
Barcelona were looking to complete the treble yet again in 2015. The Copa Del Rey would put them a step closer towards the laurel, after they had sealed the league title and they were into the UCL finals. Barcelona won the finals with relative ease and without breaking much sweat.
However the final was made infamous by a wonder goal which even confused physics. Lionel Messi got the ball near the half-line and stared at the defenders in front. He accelerated past them in a jiffy and when the others came across he decelerated.
He moved inside of the box and shot the ball with almost 40mph velocity, taking the ball past the keeper by a margin of 6 inches. To add to it, science tells that if Messi’s point of contact during the finish shifted left or right, by as much as 2mm, the shot would either miss the post or it would be parried by the keeper.
An astonishing goal, defying physics and moved into contention for the goal of the decade and even the goal of the century. ESPN Sportscenter did a detailed theoretical explanation on the goal.
The 500th goal in the 3-2 win
Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, 24th April, 2017
Barcelona and Real Madrid met in April 2017 in a must-win situation for Barcelona to stay in title contention. Barcelona was missing Neymar and Luis Suarez was in terrible form. On the contrary, Real Madrid was in a massive form both in the league and the Champions League.
The Vegas odds had predicted a 3-1 Real Madrid win and it was the expected result even among the Barcelona fan base. The sly defence of Barcelona and down on confidence following their loss to Juventus, Barcelona needed a miracle to help them. The miracle did come in the form of Lionel Messi.
Real Madrid was the first to get off the mark with Casemiro’s goal following Ronaldo’s header off the post. The controversy that is very essential in an El Clasico came with it. The lobbed ball over the defence seemed to catch Ronaldo and Ramos offside but it wasn’t called.
Soon after Barcelona hearts sank seeing Lionel Messi down on the pitch. Blood flowed from his nose and mouth and he was helpless on the pitch. Replays showed that he was caught with an elbow from Marcelo. He didn’t leave the pitch and stayed on with a tissue in his mouth.
The first goal from Messi was a magical phenomenon as most of his goals are. He passed to Busquets, got it right back from Rakitic, beat Modric on the run and Carvajal with his wonderful body swerve. Messi slammed the ball past Keylor Navas while Ramos and Nacho could only look on.
The match went on with Rakitic giving Barcelona a lead with a terrific shot. Lionel Messi had a break-away chance against Navas had he got through the defence but Ramos slid in with both legs to bring Messi down, dead on the tracks. Ramos was shown a straight red for his tackle.
James Rodriguez pulled things back for Real Madrid and a 10 man Madrid held on till the 91st minute. One more minute and they could have gone off celebrating their league victory but the ultimate party crasher arrived again.
Sergi Roberto danced from the right-back spot with an insane run leaving Marcelo and the whole Madrid midfield behind. Roberto found Andre Gomes who picked out the boisterous overlap of Jordi Alba. Without even a second touch Alba slid the ball into the box and Messi popped out of thin air to catapult the ball home.
Missing teeth, black eyes and a mouthful of blood, Lionel Messi still doomed Real Madrid. Carvajal went down on his knees, Zidane didn’t have a reaction, and Ronaldo’s anger was over the moon. Amidst the engaging atmosphere inside the Bernabeu, Messi took off his shirt and held it straight to the Real Madrid fans. Messi’s 500th goal came in the final minute of the game and gave Barca a glimmer of hope in the league.
Commentators had a lot to say following the astonishing Messi masterclass.
“Again the menacing man arrives and sinks his flaming spears into the hearts of Real Madrid. Messi, you could drop a tarantula in his shorts and he’ll still be cool”- Ray Hudson
“He is the best there is, he is the best that ever has been, probably the best that ever will be. As those Real Madrid defenders were left in his trail there, he has taken Barcelona to the top of the table in an instance of magic” - Rob Palmer
The Messiah of Argentina
Argentina vs Ecuador, Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, World Cup Qualifiers, 11th October 2017
Argentina was one of the worst sides in the South American World Cup qualifiers. They were too dependent on Messi, winning only 1 match out of the 7 that he missed. Their defence was shambolic, the attack was helpless. They managed to play so bad that they were not confirmed of a World Cup berth till the final qualifying game.
Their opponents didn’t sound very threatening yet the current form of Argentina, even losing to Bolivia without Messi, meant that the work is cut out for them. They had won at Quito only once. The unforgiving atmosphere of the stadium, at an altitude of about 2800 meters above sea-level, Argentina had a mountain to climb.
They managed to make things even tougher for Lionel Messi, conceding within a minute. Their poor support play and even worse defence set things up, for Messi to become a saviour. Messi played a neat one-two with Di Maria before finishing from close range. In the 20th minute, he gave Argentina the lead while smashing the ball into the roof of the net. Messi’s third goal was a thing of beauty.
From outside the box, under immense pressure from the defenders, Messi went down but only after firing a long-range shot over the keeper. Messi completed his hat-trick and dragged his nation to the World Cup Finals, single handily. The international failure saved Argentina from an embarrassing World Cup exit.
He did it at 2800 meters on a cold night, but can he do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke?
These are the few things that Lionel Messi blessed our eyes with, in his 14-year career. The funny thing is he never seems to slow down. He is 31 now and hopefully will remain with Barcelona for 4 more seasons. Words cannot describe his brilliance, goals cannot demonstrate his value. The day Messi leaves will be a sad day for football but for now, here is to watching Lionel Messi for the past 14 years.
We all are lucky to be in our prime age when Messi is at the peak of his career. Thank you, Lionel Messi, for your great service. May God bless your immortal left foot and our mere mortal eyes, to witness your magic day-in-day-out. Good Luck against Sevilla. Vamos Leo!!!
