In the history of football, few names evoke the sheer, and breathless magic of the Argentinian. Lionel Messi goals has been an amazing goal scorer, always making incredible plays that are like pure art for both club and country.
He’s not just great because of the crazy number of goals he’s scored for his teams, but because of how awesome his goals are.
Every left-footed shot, every header that seems to float in the air, and every crazy run he makes is an example of perfect skill, timing, and understanding of the game.
If a casual observer wants to understand how special Lionel Messi goals were, they simply need to watch the highlight reels of his greatest moments.
These are more than mere statistics; they are cinematic experiences.
From the crunch of a UEFA Champions League final header to the audacity of a free-kick launched over a wall, his signature is one of unparalleled creativity.
Trying to select a definitive list of his best is a Herculean task, akin to choosing the finest brushstrokes of a master painter. This article attempts the impossible.
We’ve trawled through thousands of spectacular Lionel Messi goals, analyzed the context, the opposition, the technical difficulty, and the sheer audacity of each one to compile the definitive ranking.
The target keyword, Lionel Messi goals, is your access point to this catalogue of greatness. This list is a testament to the fact that when it comes to goals, there is no one quite like the little magician. Get ready to relive the 13 most unforgettable strikes that cemented the Argentine’s status as the GOAT.
Top 13 Lionel Messi goals of all time
1. Barcelona vs. Getafe
2. Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich
3. Barcelona vs. Arsenal
4. Barcelona vs. Liverpool
5. Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid
6. Barcelona vs. Stuttgart
7. Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao
8. Argentina vs. Nigeria
9. Barcelona vs. Real Zaragoza
10. Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
11. Argentina vs. Mexico
12. Barcelona vs. Real Betis
13. Barcelona vs. Manchester United
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13. Barcelona vs. Manchester United (2009 UEFA Champions League Final)
Almost all Lionel Messi goals are special and this is no exception. The Argentinian legend admitted this is one of his favourites. It’s not because of any crazy skills he showed off. He likes it because of when it happened and how strange the way he scored was.
In the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final in Rome, Barcelona was leading Manchester United 1-0 in the 70th minute, but the contest remained tense.
United, the champs, were pushing hard, really wanting to tie the game. Then, boom! Xavi Hernández, taking a look around, chipped a cross from the right side right into the middle.
Standing at just 5 feet 7 inches tall, Messi is not known for his aerial ability, especially against two world-class center-backs like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
But then, Messi timed his run just right and jumped! It was like he defied gravity. He leaped up, a sudden burst of energy, getting higher than the big defenders. He headed the ball perfectly, sending it past Edwin van der Sar (the goalie) and into the goal.
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As the ball rippled the netting, Lionel Messi landed, famously losing one of his boots in the process. The fact that the smallest player on the field scored the winning goal with a header in the most important game made it a classic memory right away.
It cemented a 2-0 victory, secured the treble, and introduced the world to the next-level genius of Lionel Messi. This goal demonstrated a completeness to his game that few realized he possessed, proving he could score every type of goals imaginable.
12. Barcelona vs. Real Betis (La Liga, 2019)
The beauty of most Lionel Messi goals lies in its constant evolution. By 2019, European teams were well aware of how dangerous he was, but they still couldn’t stop him.
That goal against Real Betis? It was just pure brilliance – confidence, gut feeling, and skill all rolled into one. Even the Betis fans in Seville had to stand up and applaud. Barcelona was already up 3-1 when a speedy passing play got the ball to Messi just outside the box.
His first touch took him away from a defender, and with the goalkeeper, Pau López, slightly off his line, Lionel Messi didn’t shoot—he scooped.
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With laser focus, Messi chipped the ball perfectly with his left. The ball went right over the goalie, hit the crossbar, and dropped into the net. It was an amazing lob and his third goal of the night – a total hat trick!
That goal? Classic Argentinian brilliance. He might not be the fastest guy anymore, but his smarts and deadly finishing are still top-notch.
It wasn’t just a great goal; it was up for the Puskas Award and showed why teams felt like they were playing against a natural disaster. This entry proves that many of the best Lionel Messi goals came late in his distinguished career.
11. Argentina vs. Mexico (Copa América Semi-Final, 2007)
To really get what made that guy so great, you gotta check out how awesome he was when he was a kid. In 2007, a teenage Lionel Messi was already dazzling the world, but this goal against fierce rivals Mexico was the moment he announced himself as Argentina’s future icon on the senior international stage.
Argentina was up 1-0 in the Copa América semi-final. The ball came to Messi near the corner of the box. Then, he had a moment of just raw talent.
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It showed that same natural skill he’d show later when running solo. Instead of stopping the ball, young Messi kicked it right away. He twisted in the air and met the high pass perfectly.
He looped a volley over Mexico’s goalie, Oswaldo Sánchez. The ball fell right under the bar, and the net rippled. The speed, the tough angle, and the nerve to try that shot made it one of his first awesome goals.
Amongst other Lionel Messi goals, this showed real confidence and skill, a key moment early on. It proves he was already a top-tier player, even when he was young.
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10. Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (La Liga, 2017)
When it comes to big goals, it doesn’t get much bigger than a last-minute winner in El Clásico – especially when it keeps your title hopes alive.
Think back to 2017 at the Bernabéu: it was tied 2-2, late into added time. Real Madrid was pushing hard, but then Barcelona turned the tables with a super quick counter. Jordi Alba sprinted down the left and passed it back into the box.
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Who else but Lionel Messi arrived perfectly on cue? He didn’t just hit the ball; he smacked it perfectly with his left foot, sending it low past everyone and goalie Keylor Navas. His celebration was just as cool as the goal.
Messi walked to the corner, took off his number 10 shirt, and showed it to the shocked Real Madrid fans. It was like he was saying, I’m the best, and the goal proved he’s the top player in this game.
This was a goal of immense pressure, demonstrating the clutch gene that defines all of the truly great Lionel Messi goals.
9. Barcelona vs. Real Zaragoza (La Liga, 2010)
In the tapestry of his incredible career, there are dozens of Lionel Messi goals that follow the same glorious, solo-run template.
This play often gets missed, but it’s top-tier because of Messi’s blend of power, speed, and slick moves. He gets the ball close to midfield and just shrugs off the first defender—classic low-center-of-gravity strength.
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Then, he speeds up, fools another defender, and charges into the box. But the real magic happens next. Two defenders back off, and Messi does this fake-out move that sends them sliding, opening up a perfect shot.
He then hits a hard, low shot that gets past the goalie and into the net. From that initial bump to the final shot, it’s a perfect example of controlled attack.
This goal is a perfect showcase of the physical and mental stamina required to score classic Lionel Messi goals, highlighting that his skill wasn’t just soft touches, but explosive power.
8. Argentina vs. Nigeria (2018 FIFA World Cup)
The World Cup? It’s where legends are made. Every goal feels ten times bigger on that stage. Argentina needed a moment of genius to stay alive in the 2018 tournament against Nigeria, and similar to other Lionel Messi goals, this provided it.
It wasn’t about fancy footwork; it was about how Messi could control the ball instantly, even when things got tough. Banega sent a long, high pass from midfield – a tricky one because it was fast and went way up in the air.
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Messi was sprinting toward the goal, defenders all around him, as the pass came down. He stopped the ball perfectly with his thigh, softened it with his foot, and then, without missing a step, shot it past the goalie.
The way he went from controlling the ball in the air to shooting, all in a few steps, was amazing. It was a goal of three perfect touches, showcasing why Lionel Messi goals are often hailed for their almost impossible control.
The technical difficulty involved in taming that pass and instantly converting it places it firmly among the Lionel Messi top strikes.
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7. Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao (Copa del Rey Final, 2021)
In what would ultimately be one of his final spectacular goals for Barcelona, Messi delivered a defining moment in the 2021 Copa del Rey final.
That goal was peak Messi. He got the ball way back, near his own side, and just took off on his own. It was like watching the Messi of old. He zoomed past three Bilbao players, leaving them totally lost.
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Then, near the box, he did a quick one-two with Dest, but the finish was all him. He got the ball back, faked out the last guy, and then curled this amazing left-footed shot from a tough spot.
It curved right past the goalie and nailed the net. Seriously smooth and amazing, it made you think about what a solo goal could even be. That was a king-worthy goal, another win for him! Even in the twilight of his Barcelona career, the quality of Lionel Messi goals remained unmatched.
6. Barcelona vs. Stuttgart (UCL Round of 16, 2010)
Lionel Messi goals in the early 2010s demonstrated his physical and technical peak. A lethal combination of raw power and lightning quick decision-making.
In this Champions League Final round clash against Stuttgart, Messi received the ball outside the box, surrounded by defenders.
He didn’t bother with fancy passes or his usual dribbling. Instead, he just blasted the ball. One quick touch to get it ready, and then BAM! His left foot sent a rocket past the goalie and into the net.
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The shot was crazy strong and lightning-fast. No fancy footwork this time, just raw power. This goal just goes to show he’s become a real scoring threat.
The Argentinian proved he doesn’t need to weave through everyone; sometimes, one good shot is all it takes. It is a fantastic entry on the list of truly powerful Lionel Messi top strikes.
5. Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid (La Liga, 2012)
2012 was the year Lionel Messi broke the world record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, finishing with an impossible 91.
That free-kick against Atlético Madrid? Just one of many amazing goals. He was standing about 30 yards out, not a great angle, facing a huge wall and Courtois in goal.
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Most players would have tried to curl it over the wall. But Messi saw Courtois move towards the near post. So, he blasted it with a ton of power, but aimed it around the wall and right into the top corner on the other side.
It was a smart, perfect hit that Courtois could only watch go in. It showcased his intelligence, turning a high-difficulty free-kick into one of the most unforgettable Lionel Messi goals.
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4. Barcelona vs. Liverpool (UCL Semi-Final, 2019)
For a player who scores a bunch of hat-tricks and wins games all the time, when Lionel Messi goals reached 600, it felt special. This one, against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, was amazing.
Barcelona was already winning 2-0, but Liverpool was fighting hard, and you could feel the pressure at Camp Nou. They got a free-kick pretty far out – maybe 35 yards. Trying that shot, that far out, in a Champions League semi-final? That took guts.
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Lionel Messi struck the ball with a magnificent, curling force, generating a whip that saw the ball fly over the wall with ferocious pace.
It curled right under the bar, and Alisson Becker, who’s an amazing goalie, didn’t even move. The crowd went wild; that goal won the game when everyone thought it would be a tie.
This strike is considered by many to be the greatest free-kick of the modern era, cementing its place among the greatest Lionel Messi goals.
3. Barcelona vs. Arsenal (UCL Round of 16, 2011)
This goal is a testament to Lionel Messi‘s genius for blending the sublime with the clinical. Against Arsenal in the second round of the Champions League, he received a beautiful, chipped pass from Andrés Iniesta.
The Arsenal defense was spread thin, but goalie Manuel Almunia charged out, giving Messi almost no time.
In a flash of brilliance, only a super talented player could pull this off. He chipped the ball with his left foot over Almunia who was charging toward him.
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The ball seemed to hang in the air for a second, almost waiting. Instead of letting it bounce, Messi dashed past the keeper and smacked the ball out of the air before it hit the ground — a volley straight into the unguarded goal.
That goal was just amazing because it had two cool parts, a soft chip leading to a powerful and precise volley. It was a moment of utter humiliation for the opposition, and a spectacular example of goals that demonstrated his ability to finish in the most creative and elegant ways possible.
2. Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich (UCL Semi-Final, 2015)
This goal even has its own meme: a photo of Jérôme Boateng flat on his butt, looking totally lost. In the UEFA Champions League Final semi-final against Pep Guardiola’s mighty Bayern Munich, the game was tight at 1-0.
Then, in the 80th minute, Lionel Messi received the ball on the right edge of the box, one-on-one with Boateng, a World Cup-winning defender.
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Okay, so Messi faked right, which got Boateng leaning that way too. Then, BAM, Messi cuts left so fast Boateng’s legs got tangled and he just fell over – it was almost funny! The crowd went wild.
Now it’s Messi versus Neuer, who’s charging out. Instead of blasting it past him, Messi just chips it nice and soft with his left foot. The ball floats over Neuer and into the goal. Game over! What a win!
It was a goal of such dazzling skill, achieved against the world’s best defense and goalkeeper, that it will forever be known simply as the ‘Boateng goal,’ a true measure of dominance.
The quality of Lionel Messi goals simply does not get much better than this.
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1. Barcelona vs. Getafe (Copa del Rey Semi-Final, 2007)
Would you believe amongst all Lionel Messi goals, the best one was scored when he was just 19 years old. This didn’t just cement him as a future great; it elevated him instantly into the same conversation as Diego Maradona.
It was the Copa del Rey semi-final, Barcelona against Getafe. Messi scored a goal that was almost like Maradona’s famous Goal of the Century against England back in ’86.
Messi got the ball a bit past the halfway line, on the right. Right away, two defenders came at him, but he sped past them without any trouble. Then he ran toward the goal box, leaving a third defender in the dust.
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Once he got into the box, a fourth defender tried to stop him, but Messi quickly moved the ball and left him standing there. The goalie, Luis García, ran out, but Messi just went around him.
Now, with the angle impossibly tight and a covering defender sprinting back, Messi unleashed a shot with his weaker right foot, blasting it into the roof of the net.
He shook off five defenders, faked out the goalie, and somehow scored from this crazy angle. That goal was pure skill and guts – like he was saying, I’m the future of Argentina!
The raw, unadulterated brilliance of this goal remains unsurpassed, making it the greatest of all Lionel Messi goals, and the defining moment of his unstoppable artistry.
The Legacy of Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi goals is more than just a highlight reel; it is a profound study in sustained excellence, technical evolution, and clutch performance.
This list is full of players who always figured out how to score, no matter how hard the defense tried to stop them.
Whether it was the raw, teenage aggression of the Getafe goal, the intellectual defiance of the Liverpool free-kick, or the final-winning moment against Manchester United in the Champions League Final, Lionel Messi goals has left an indelible mark on football.
He is the artist, the genius, and the record-breaker, and his collection of spectacular goals will forever stand as the gold standard of the beautiful game. Here’s more about Lionel Messi and his wonderful football career.
People Also Ask About Lionel Messi Goals
- Who scored 73 goals in a season?
Messi in 2011/12 for Barcelona was unreal. In 60 games, he scored 73 goals and had 29 assists. Seriously, it was probably his best season ever. He did everything out there – making plays, scoring, you name it. He was like a wizard with the ball.
- How many goals does Messi have in total all time?
As of his last game, Lionel Messi has scored 884 goals in his career for both club and country. That puts him up there with the best goal-scorers ever in soccer. He’s also got over 390 assists, meaning he’s been involved in over 1,270 goals total—the most anyone’s ever had in the sport.
- Who scored 91 goals in one season?
Lionel Messi had an awesome year in 2012, scoring a crazy 91 goals! That’s the most anyone has scored in a year this century, by far. He got 79 goals for Barcelona and another 12 for Argentina.
- How many hat tricks has Messi scored?
As of October 2024, Lionel Messi has banged in 60 hat-tricks for his clubs and country. That puts him second to Cristiano Ronaldo for the most ever. A lot of those three-goal games were in La Liga and playing for his country, and he even got 8 in the Champions League.
- How many penalty kicks has Messi missed?
Okay, so Messi just missed another penalty, bringing his total to 31. Some places were saying he already had 31 misses *before* this game, which would make it 32 now. But Transfermarkt says this latest one puts him at exactly 31 overall.
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