A Decade In Barcelona...The Journey So Far: Lionel Messi's Top Ten Goals
In celebration of Lionel Messi's first ten years in Barcelona, I have compiled a list of his top ten goals in a Blaugrana jersey.
Selecting just ten goals from his ever-growing collection of screamers is almost impossible, but I have tried to pick those that had a significant importance in his career or trophy collection.
10. FC Barcelona Vs. Albacete Balompié
1 of 8After Samuel Eto'o broke the deadlock in the 66th min and scored the 1:0, little Lionel followed suit and opened his Barça account by scoring the 2:0 quite literally in the last moment (90th minute).
The rest is history, and La Pulga hasn't stopped scoring since.
After a wonderful pass by Ronaldinho into the box, the little Argentinean delightfully lobbed the ball above the keeper into the net.
You could argue that Ronaldinho picked out his heir right then and there.
9. FC Barcelona Vs. Panaithinaikos Athen
2 of 8Penetrating the box from the right-wing, Messi attempted a one-two with Samuel Eto’o but somehow the Barca attackers managed to regain possession.
Messi then scored a goal, which has since become a staple in his repertoire.
8. Argentina Vs. Serbia & Montenegro
3 of 8After debuting with the Albicelestes, Messi joined his fellow compatriots in their ultimately failed quest at another World Cup triumph in 2006.
His first-ever goal for his country came in the 6:0 trashing of Serbia.
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7. 6. 5. FC Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid
4 of 8In a game that was somewhat symbolic for the 2006/2007 season the Blaugrana endured, the boy from Rosario equalised no less than three times to save face for the hosts. The opponent was none other than FC Barcelona’s eternal rivals Real Madrid.
A hat-trick against one of the world’s most prestigious clubs in the world at the age of 19—not a bad feat.
4. Real Zaragoza Vs. FC Barcelona
5 of 8His second goal of yet another magnificent hat-trick showed almost everything there is to Messi’s game: persistence, pace, impeccable close-control and composure.
In one word: marvellous.
3. Mexico Vs. Argentina
6 of 8Though he might not have excelled in an Argentina shirt yet, he still managed to showed glimpses of his otherworldly talents in the famous white and blue stripes.
In the semi-finals of the American equivalent to the European Championships he scored a cheeky lob in the 61st minute from his preferred right-wing position.
2. FC Barcelona Vs. Manchester United
7 of 8Before the fixture, the English media criticised Messi for having not ever scored against English opposition.
La Pulga silenced his doubters from the U.K. and scored against Manchester United, the top English team at the time, in THE most prestigious club competition – with a header no less.
1. FC Barcelona Vs. Getafe
8 of 8It’s an incredible goal and doesn’t need any kind of description. Even his then teammate Eidur Gudjohnsen couldn’t believe what he just saw.
Though Lionel Messi & FC Barcelona eventually crashed out of the Copa del Rey, his goal is a work of beauty, and will stand the test of time.
When Diego Maradona scored "his" goal of the century I was still in kindergarten—thus I'm inclined to say that this is the goal of this century and my generation.
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