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Undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi has had countless amazing performances in his career. Over 560 goals for Barcelona, 65 for Argentina, five Ballon d'ors and the list goes on.
"Can he do it in the Premier League or can he do it on a cold rainy night at Stoke?" are the questions always asked by his critics. For years, we have all speculated what it would be like to see Messi come and play in the Premier League. It looks like that may never happen, and we will be treated only to a few glimpses of Messi on Premier League soil.
At first it looked like the critics may have had a point. Messi struggled during his early appearances as he failed to find the net in his first 9 Champions League games against English opposition. But since then he has scored more goals (21) and provided more assists (6) against English clubs in the Champions League than against sides from any other nation. Overall his record stands at 29 appearances, 22 goals and 6 assists.
So let's take a look at some of his finest performances against Premier League sides:
#6 Barcelona vs Manchester United, 2008-09 Champions League final
His first goal against Premier League opposition and it couldn't have come at a better time. Messi even claims it to be his favourite goal and why wouldn't he? It came against Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United in a Champions League Final ( Messi vs Ronaldo was limited to Champions League back then till Ronaldo moved to Madrid in 2009).
It was a contest between the two greatest players but it was Messi who had the last laugh with a stunning headed goal.
#5 Barcelona vs Manchester City, 2016-17 Champions League group stage
Pep Guardiola's return to his old club for the first time as Manchester City manager didn't go as planned. Messi, who had just returned from injury, scored his second hattrick against an English club as City were reduced to 10 men.
It wasn't a typical Messi performance but sometimes even a 50% Messi is good enough to decide games on his own as Barcelona beat Man City 4-0 at the Camp Nou.
#4 Barcelona vs Manchester United, 2010-11 Champions League final
Two years after beating United at Rome, Messi again inspired Barca to yet another Champions League title but this time at Wembley, where Barcelona tasted their first ever European glory.
The little maestro danced around the famous stadium and caused havoc. He scored his first ever goal on an English soil as Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 in the final.
#3 Barcelona vs Manchester City (3-1 agg), 2014-15 Champions League round of 16
After failing to score the penalty at the Etihad, Messi brought the Camp Nou crowd to its feet in the second leg. He nutmegged Milner and Fernandinho, found gaps that didn't seem to exist and took the art of dribbling to another level.
He may have not been on the scoresheet but he did provide a sublime ball to Rakitic, who scored the only goal of the match. Another masterclass performance from the Argentine.
#2 Barcelona vs Arsenal (6-3 agg), 2009-10 Champions League quarter-finals
After an impressive comeback in the first leg and an early goal at the Camp Nou, Arsenal may have fancied their chances of making it to the semi-finals, only for the Gunners to be dumped out by Messi's individual brilliance.
The Argentine scored all four of Barca's goals. After the match, Arsene Wenger compared Messi to a PlayStation, as it was Messi who was the difference on the night.
#1 Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspurs, 2018-19 Champions League group stage
The last time Messi graced the Wembley stadium, he left Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson in awe of his performance, and it was similar last night as he put Tottenham to the sword in what is arguably one of his best ever Champions League displays.
He scored twice and a had a hand in the other two as Barcelona beat Spurs 4-2 on the night. This may have been Messi's final ever appearance at Wembley, but it sure was a memorable one.
Still think that not playing in the Premier League prevents him from the GOAT tag? Think again, the stats speak for themselves.
