UEFA Champions League's 5 greatest footballers in last 25 years

#2 Lionel Messi

Much has been written about Lionel Messi and his genius, and it’s obvious that a great player like him would be successful on a big occasion, like the Champions League. Messi is unquestionably the greatest Barcelona player of all time, and contributed immensely towards their 4 Champions League triumphs from 2006 to 2015.

Messi scored against Manchester United in both the finals of 2009 and 2011, and also set up one in the victory over Juventus in 2015. He has the knack of keeping his best for the most important matches, and consistently delivered for Barca in the last 15 years.

Messi has scored 112 goals in Champions League till date, and remains the second highest goal-scorer of the competition. He had played a very important part in making Barca one of the most dominant forces in world football in the past decade and a half. His dribbling, passing and shooting are of the highest standard, and he continues to dazzle the football lovers with the lustre of his genius.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Shaurya Vineet