Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players to ever grace a football pitch.
The Argentine is both a prolific goalscorer and assister, but it his goalscoring prowess that has been the most impressive aspect of Messi’s game over the years.
At present, the forward is the third-highest goalscorer in footballing history, just a few goals behind second-place Pele.
Lionel Messi also has countless goal-scoring records including the top scorer in La Liga history and the most goals of any South American player at international level.
So, it seems only fitting that 101 take a look at Lionel Messi’s greatest ever goals.
10) Vs Eibar 2017
The first goal on this list came back in 2017 when FC Barcelona were facing off with Eibar in a La Liga clash.
Messi then went on to send several Eibar defenders the wrong way before slotting past the keeper from around 15 yards:
9) Vs Liverpool 2019
Lionel Messi’s goal vs Liverpool in 2019 is not given too much attention because of what happened in the following leg between the two sides, but it was still a masterful goal.
Barcelona faced off with Liverpool at the Camp Nou in the first of two Champions League semi-final ties, and the home outfit did look to have the tie wrapped up in the first leg.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring on the night before Messi added a brace late on, the second of which was arguably his best-ever free-kick:
1⃣3⃣ Masterful Messi vs Liverpool 😱#UCL pic.twitter.com/Kud7baSPZW
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 31, 2021
Of course, Liverpool went on to complete a sensational comeback in the second leg at Anfield but it was still a goal to remember for Messi.
8) Vs Athletic Bilbao 2013
As you are sure to gather from this list, Lionel Messi loves a stunning strike vs Athletic Bilboa. The Spanish side have conceded 29 times to the no.10 and several have been superb.
One of which came back in 2013. Barca would draw 2-2 with Athletic Bilboa in a La Liga clash and Messi scored their opening goal, shaking off three defenders before curling in a trademark finish from the edge of the box:
👑 Leo #Messi 👑
🆚 Athletic Club
🔙 2012-2013🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça! pic.twitter.com/Ivyd9AlbHA
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 27, 2017
7) Vs Real Zaragoza 2010
Messi would score a hat-trick vs Real Zaragoza back in 2010. All three goals were great, but it was his second which was the pick of the bunch.
Lionel Messi would evade the sliding challenge of one player before bursting forward, sitting another defender down and smashing home a beautiful goal:
Cuando MESSI fue GIGANTE en La Romareda. 💙❤
¡Se cumplen 8 años de este hat-trick del argentino (no te pierdas el segundo gol) contra el Real Zaragoza en #LaLiga! ⚽⚽⚽#LaLigaHistory pic.twitter.com/3vUkaZhwkd
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) March 22, 2018
6) Vs Athletic Bilboa 2021
The second goal vs Athletic Bilboa on this list came just last year and helped Lionel Messi secure his final piece of silverware as a Barcelona player.
The goal itself aptly sums up what Lionel Messi brought to Barcelona for so many years.
Picking up the ball in his own half, the South American made a darting run forward, combining well with a teammate before some individual brilliance helped him beat a defender and slot home:
G⚽AL OF THE DAY
It wasn’t a dream …
𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘰 from #Messi & Copa del Rey champions! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7Gzq3ZcmO2— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 18, 2021
5) Vs Arsenal 2011
Despite never playing in the Premier League, Lionel Messi has one of the best goal-scoring records against the traditional top-six.
One of his best goals against a Premier League side came back in 2011 vs Arsenal in the Champions League.
The now 34-year-old was played in by Andreas Iniesta and was met by an onrushing Manuel Almunia.
But instead of trying to round the Spaniard, Messi would dink the ball over him and then smash the ball into an open net:
🔵🔴 Messi magic in 2011 against Arsenal 🤩@FCBarcelona | #UCL pic.twitter.com/J7Rp72tncf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 24, 2021
4) Vs Real Betis 2019
Barcelona would beat Real Betis 4-1 in a La Liga clash in 2019.
The final goal of the day came from Lionel Messi and bagged him yet another hat-trick.
Messi would receive the ball on the edge of the Betis box and without taking a touch, proceeded to chip the keeper who was still very close to his line when the shot was taken.
The goal was so good it even saw Betis fans applauding Messi:
RT 🔁 if you think Leo #Messi scored the best goal of 2019.#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/OTrUpDLRVW
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) December 26, 2019
3) Vs Real Madrid 2011
The last time Barcelona and Real Madrid met in the Champions League came back in 2010/11 in the semi-finals.
Barcelona would advance to the final after winning 3-1 on aggregate. La Blaugrana won the first leg 2-0 via a Messi brace.
The Argentine’s second of the game would see him evade the challenges of three Madrid defenders before slotting past Iker Casillas.
📆 OTD in 2011…
Lionel Messi took on Real Madrid’s whole defence and came out on top! 🔥pic.twitter.com/ruyUezQsPe
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2020
2) Vs Getafe 2007
One of Lionel Messi’s fist wonder goals came back in 2007 vs Getafe.
Messi would pick up the ball in his own half, beat two defenders, carry the ball all the way to the edge of the Getafe box before gliding past another two players and then rounding the keeper to slot into an empty net.
A simply sensational goal:
#OnThisDay 1⃣1⃣ years ago…👽
Messi scored THAT goal against Getafe! 😱#LaLigaHistory pic.twitter.com/p0kA0532z1
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) April 18, 2018
1) Vs Athletic Bilboa 2015
The third and final Lionel Messi goal vs Athletic Bilboa on this list came back in 2015 and, like in 2021, it also came in the Copa del Rey final.
Unlike the 2021 strike, though, this one was all about Messi and saw him leave four defenders for dead before smashing home his effort as Barca strolled to a 3-1 win:
💥 Happy 6th anniversary to this Leo #Messi gem!#OnThisDay May 30, 2015 pic.twitter.com/3EmLVkaCW6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 30, 2021
