From Champions League screamers to era-defining dribbles, GOAL selects the best of Leo's wonder strikes. Have we missed any?
The goalscoring exploits of Lionel Messi will endure long after the he hangs up his boots.
With well over 700 net-rustling strikes to his name, Messi has piled up more than a few highlight reel moments across his career and it is difficult to decide which of them are his best.
Here, GOAL takes a stab at compiling his greatest goals of all time, from his days at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina.
Check out even more magic Messi moments!
Ranking Messi's top 10 Clasico matchesRemembering Messi's best games for ArgentinaGettyGetafe | La Liga | April 19, 2007
Messi has hundreds of goals to cherry-pick from, but his La Liga goal against Getafe in 2007 has been heralded as his greatest of all-time.
It is with this goal that he announced himself as a permanent threat in world and European football, a Diego Maradona-like individual effort that saw him dance his way past five Getafe defenders – who all ended in a helpless heap on the floor – before keeping his cool against the goalkeeper, sending him the wrong way and slotting in coolly with a right-footed finish.
AdvertisementGettyAlbacete | La Liga | May 1, 2005
If his goal against Getafe is his best of all-time, his first for Barcelona – scored as a then-unknown 17-year-old – is notable not for its splendour, but for its significance. Even as a teenager, though, Messi had the composure and confidence of a veteran footballer.
He refused to have his confidence knocked after having his first goal wrongly ruled offside, and latched onto Ronaldinho's pass inside the box just a minute later before volleying the ball over the top of Albacete stopper Raul Valbuena from 16 yards. The goal was a sign of the incredible things that were soon to come – and what a way to make your first mark on a club.
GettyReal Betis | La Liga | March 17, 2019
A goal so good that it had opposition fans chanting his name.
It capped a remarkable hat-trick, which also included a brilliant free kick, but Messi's lob against Real Betis was something special. It earned him a Puskas Award nomination in 2019.
GettyArsenal | Champions League | March 8, 2011
A goal which earned a Puskas Award nomination in 2011, Messi's wonderful scoop and finish against Arsenal will live long in the memory.
Barcelona were trailing 2-1 from the first leg of their last-16 tie against the Gunners, but Messi sprung to the rescue, scoring two goals, but it was the one where he lifted the ball over Manuel Almunia's head in the six-yard box that endures. Poise and assurance.