A Look Back at Lionel Messi's Most Iconic Moments and Career Records
Exploring the legendary career and unmatched milestones of 39-year-old Argentina forward Lionel Messi as he ponders his future.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Lionel Messi, 39, is considering his future following the death of his father, Jorge.
- He is signed with Inter Miami until 2028 with 921 career goals overall.
- Holds extraordinary records including 91 goals in a single calendar year in 2012.
Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Argentina forward, is currently weighing his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge. Messi is signed with Inter Miami until 2028 and has netted a combined 921 goals throughout his career for Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Inter Miami, and Argentina.
Back on March 10, 2007, a 19-year-old Messi scored his first-ever career hat-trick in one of football's biggest fixtures, El Clasico, securing a 3-3 draw against Real Madrid at Camp Nou with a brilliant last-minute finish. Just over a month later on April 18, 2007, during a 5-2 Copa del Rey semi-final win against Getafe, he scored a sensational solo goal reminiscent of Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup effort by dribbling past five defenders and the goalkeeper.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In 2009, doubts from some English fans and journalists over whether Messi could perform against English opposition were firmly put to rest. He rose highest in the box to head home Xavi's cross in the Champions League final against Manchester United, later scoring again in another final win over Sir Alex Ferguson's side two years later.
Messi's scoring prowess continued to break boundaries. In 2010, he netted four goals against Arsenal in a Champions League quarter-final 4-1 home leg win, highlighted by a deft chip over Manuel Almunia. Two years later, he scored five goals in a single match against Bayer Leverkusen. He currently stands as the second-top scorer in Champions League history with 129 goals, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi's journey represents a masterclass in consistency and adaptability in modern football. Overcoming physical hurdles and tactical shifts, his longevity at the elite level remains unmatched. The recent passing of his father Jorge marks a poignant juncture for a player who has defined an entire era of the beautiful game over the past two decades.
On March 20, 2012, Messi broke Barcelona's 60-year-old goalscoring record held by Cesar Rodriguez by netting a hat-trick against Granada, taking his tally to 232 and eventually reaching 672 goals before leaving the club in 2021. In that same stellar year of 2012, he hit an astonishing 91 goals across 69 games for club and country, earning him a historic fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.
Another major milestone fell on November 22, 2014, when a hat-trick against Sevilla allowed him to surpass Telmo Zarra's long-standing La Liga record of 251 goals, eventually finishing with 474 Spanish top-flight goals. Later, on April 23, 2017, he scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu for his 500th Barcelona goal, famously celebrating by holding his shirt up to the home fans.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The unthinkable happened in August 2021 when Messi left Barcelona on a free transfer due to La Liga's salary cap regulations. During an emotional press conference, a tearful Messi stated: "My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home." He subsequently joined Paris St-Germain and later secured three major international trophies after turning 34.
Source: BBC Sport
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