With the Barcelona legend turning 30 today, we take a look at unforgettable moments from his unforgettable career.
Today one of the greatest footballers of all time turns 30. Saturday June 24 marks the birthday of Lionel Messi, the Barcelona and Argentina legend who continues to break records and dazzle fans.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has enjoyed an illustrious career, winning silverware and earning individual accolades year in year out. On this special occasion, we take a look at the 30 most memorable moments from his dream career.
This list is not a ranking of least important to most, thus number 20, for example, could be as significant – or even more – than number one. And with that, we present 30 moments that Messi fans will cherish forever.
1. His senior Barca debut
2. His five-goal haul vs Bayer Leverkusen
3. Breaking Raul’s Champions League goalscoring record
4. Becoming La Liga’s all-time top scorer
5. Becoming Barca’s all-time top scorer
6. His first hat-trick – in El Clasico
7. Nearly ending Boateng’s career
8. His Argentina debut
9. Winning gold in the Olympics with La Albiceleste
10. His hat-trick vs Brazil at the MetLife
11. Winning four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards
12. Surpassing Di Stefano as El Clasico’s record goalscorer
13. Leo's very own "Hand of God"
14. That Maradona-eque goal vs Getafe
15. His 92nd-minute winner vs Real Madrid in El Clasico
16. That iconic celebration
17. Netting his 91st goal of 2012 – a record
18. That Champions League final header vs Man United
19. Those two goals vs Los Blancos in the Champions League semi-final
20. Winning the sextuple under Guardiola
21. His second treble in 2015
22. Winning the u-20 World Cup in 2005
23. Being named Argentina captain
24. It may sound shocking, but Messi won his first Player of the Month award in La Liga in January 2016
25. Scoring on his return from international retirement
26. His first Spanish Primera Division goal
27. His first World Cup goal in 2006
28. Earning the no. 10 shirt from Ronaldinho
29. Ending his Petr Cech goal hoodoo
30. Surpassing Batistuta to become Argentina’s all-time record scorer