Ranking Lionel Messi's 5 best performances for Barcelona

#3 Barcelona 3-0 Bayern Munich (UEFA Champions League, 2014-15)

Lionel Messi scythed through Bayern Munich

Of all the iconic moments Lionel Messi has produced for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, none can compare to his decimation of Jerome Boateng and the Bayern Munich defence. Barcelona eased to a 3-0 victory on the day after an impressive performance and Lionel Messi deservedly seized the limelight with a performance for the ages.

With the game stuck in a deadlock for 75 minutes, Lionel Messi decided to take matters into his own hands and unleashed a ruthless shot that left Manuel Neuer gasping for breath. What followed, however, would go down in history as one of the most incredible moments in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

Six years ago today, Lionel Messi made Jerome Boateng eat grass 😱(via @UEFAcom_de)pic.twitter.com/NQqohTVMKB

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 6, 2021

Lionel Messi left Jerome Boateng on the floor with his supernatural dribbling skills and doubled Barcelona's lead with a sumptuous finish. The Argentine talisman also assisted Neymar's stoppage-time goal and capped off a virtually unplayable performance against one of the world's best teams.

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#2 Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid (La Liga, 2006-07)

Lionel Messi announced himself against Real Madrid

The true sense of a Barcelona player's worth is derived solely from his achievements in El Clasico. The Catalans have shared a rivalry with Real Madrid for well over a century and clashes between them are an embodiment of Spain's footballing legacy.

It was on this stage that a 19-year-old Lionel Messi decided to announce himself to the footballing world as a bonafide modern-day great. The teenage prodigy stunned Los Blancos with three brilliant goals and scored a legendary El Clasico hat-trick to steal a point for Barcelona.

Lionel Messi tormented Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos on the night with his magical footwork and established his credentials against Barcelona's biggest rivals. This game witnessed Messi's first legendary performance against a high-profile opponent and set the stage for over a decade of success.

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#1 Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United (UEFA Champions League, 2010-11)

Barcelona v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Final

While Lionel Messi did score only one goal on the day, his performance against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final in 2011 was arguably his magnum opus. Messi was quite literally unstoppable on the day and inspired Pep Guardiola's side to one of the most memorable performances in footballing history.

Barcelona thoroughly dominated the game with Xavi and Andres Iniesta pulling the strings in midfield. Pedro opened the scoring for Barcelona but Manchester United bounced back with a Wayne Rooney equaliser before half-time.

🏆 @ChampionsLeague - Finais 2009 e 2011 🙌👑 #Messi vs Manchester United 🔥🔜 #MUFCBarça 🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/I2Y42qJBn6

— FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona_br) April 8, 2019

As is usually the norm when Barcelona are not in the ascendancy, Lionel Messi stepped up with a spark of brilliance in the second half and scored a brilliant goal to restore his side's lead. Messi toyed with Manchester United for most of the game and inspired one of the greatest spectacles ever witnessed in the sport.

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