Lionel Messi has scored countless memorable goals throughout his extraordinary career, but some have stood out above the rest.
From spectacular free-kicks and delicate finishes to breathtaking solo runs, the Argentine has repeatedly produced moments that have amazed football fans around the world.
This ranking features 20 of Messi’s most remarkable goals for Barcelona and Argentina against some of the biggest teams in world football.
1. Barcelona vs. Getafe — 2007
At just 19 years old, Messi gave the football world an early glimpse of his extraordinary talent during Barcelona’s 2007 meeting with Getafe.
Starting on the right side of Barcelona’s own half, Messi received the ball and immediately took on an approaching defender.
He moved beyond the first opponent before nutmegging another and accelerating into space.
With several defenders ahead of him, Messi moved inside before poking the ball beyond a sliding challenge.
He then entered the penalty area and shaped as though he was about to shoot.
Instead, he calmly dribbled around the goalkeeper before finishing into the empty net.
The extraordinary solo run brought together Messi’s acceleration, dribbling, balance, composure and finishing ability.
2. Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona — 2015
Messi produced another unforgettable solo run during Barcelona’s 2015 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.
After briefly pausing with the ball near the halfway line, he suddenly accelerated to his right and moved past a defender.
As he approached the touchline, three defenders attempted to contain him, but Messi continued forward despite the lack of space.
He then moved around one opponent, accelerated towards the right side of the penalty area and cut inside when another defender approached.
Messi finished the move with a powerful near-post strike.
The remarkable solo run demonstrated his balance, strength, dribbling and finishing ability.
3. Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona — 2013
With very little room to operate, Messi produced an extraordinary piece of individual skill during Barcelona’s 2013 La Liga meeting with Athletic Bilbao.
After receiving the ball and avoiding one defender, he slowed down before cutting inside.
Messi then paused and manipulated three defenders before weaving through them with remarkable control.
Once he created a small opening for a shot, he calmly guided the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
The goal demonstrated that Messi did not need raw speed to beat defenders. His balance, timing and close control were enough.
4. Real Madrid vs. Barcelona — 2011
Messi produced one of his most memorable goals during Barcelona’s 2011 Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
After passing to Sergio Busquets in midfield, Messi continued his run and received the ball again.
He immediately accelerated towards the Real Madrid defence, moving beyond several opponents with a series of outstanding touches.
The Argentine continued into the penalty area before guiding the ball into the side-netting with his right foot.
The goal showcased his acceleration, close control and ability to produce decisive moments against elite opposition.
5. Getafe vs. Barcelona — 2014
During a 2014 Copa del Rey match against Getafe, Messi collected the ball in midfield with plenty of space ahead of him.
He carried it forward before moving past the first defender.
Two more opponents then attempted to stop him, but Messi used a perfectly timed long touch to take the ball through the crowded defence and into the penalty area.
He quickly caught up with it before rounding the advancing goalkeeper.
Messi then calmly rolled the ball into the empty net.
The goal was a classic example of his ability to make an extremely difficult solo run appear almost effortless.
6. Real Zaragoza vs. Barcelona — 2010
Messi won possession in midfield after battling with an opponent before immediately accelerating towards the penalty area.
He moved the ball beyond a sliding defender before continuing his run towards the left side of the box.
Another defender attempted to intervene, but Messi cut inside, turning his opponent around before changing direction again onto his left foot.
He eventually slid the ball into the right corner to complete another remarkable solo effort.
“Utterly unpredictable,” Ray Hudson called Messi.
The goal demonstrated Messi’s ability to change direction, deceive defenders and make the right decision in an instant.
7. Barcelona vs. Liverpool — 2019
Barcelona won a free-kick from a considerable distance during the first leg of their 2019 Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.
For Messi, however, the distance was still within range.
He stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner.
The combination of power, movement and accuracy made the strike particularly special.
It was Messi’s 42nd free-kick goal for Barcelona and widely regarded as one of his best.
The goal also marked his 600th club goal for Barcelona.
8. Barcelona vs. Eibar — 2017
Late in Barcelona’s 2017 La Liga match against Eibar, Luis Suárez’s shot was saved before the ball was cleared towards midfield.
The danger, however, was far from over.
Messi brought the ball down expertly before taking it beyond his opponent and accelerating forward.
He then weaved past one defender, followed by several more who were unable to stop his run.
After moving inside, Messi finished with his right foot beyond the goalkeeper.
The goal was another example of the Argentine taking control of a difficult situation and turning it into a spectacular solo effort.
9. Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich — 2015
Barcelona faced Bayern Munich in the 2015 Champions League semi-finals, where Messi produced one of the competition’s most memorable individual moments.
Positioned slightly inside from the right wing, Messi received a forward pass outside the penalty area.
Bayern defender Jérôme Boateng stood between Messi and the goal.
Messi drove towards him, deceived the defender into expecting a move inside and then suddenly went in the opposite direction.
Boateng lost his balance as Messi accelerated away.
The Argentine then lifted the ball over goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and into the net.
It was an extraordinary demonstration of Messi’s dribbling ability and composure.
10. Real Betis vs. Barcelona — 2019
After passing the ball towards Ivan Rakitić on the left, Messi positioned himself to receive the return ball.
As the ball arrived, he immediately lifted it over the goalkeeper.
The effort struck the crossbar before dropping into the net, completing Messi’s hat-trick.
The goalkeeper appeared to be in a good position, but Messi’s execution made the finish unstoppable.
The home supporters’ reaction after the goal demonstrated just how much they appreciated the quality of the finish.
11. Barcelona vs. Valencia — 2010
Messi received the ball in space outside the penalty area before turning and accelerating towards Valencia’s defence.
He moved beyond two defenders before another opponent stepped across his path.
Messi slowed down at exactly the right moment before cutting past the defender with ease.
With only the finish remaining, he placed the ball inside the near post.
The goal perfectly demonstrated his ability to combine extraordinary dribbling with precise finishing.
12. Barcelona vs. Arsenal — 2011
In the 2011 Champions League round-of-16 meeting with Arsenal, Andrés Iniesta played a short pass into the penalty area.
Messi controlled the bouncing ball with his left foot as the goalkeeper rushed towards him.
Rather than allowing the goalkeeper to close him down, Messi delicately lifted the ball over him.
He waited for it to drop before striking a volley into the net.
The quick thinking and technical execution left the Camp Nou crowd captivated.
13. Argentina vs. Brazil — 2012
During an international friendly against Brazil, Messi received the ball on the wing shortly after the halfway line.
He moved beyond left-back Marcelo before accelerating towards the Brazilian goal.
With defenders closing in, Messi cut inside onto his left foot before unleashing a powerful effort from outside the penalty area.
The strike completed his hat-trick and gave Argentina a 4-3 advantage.
The crowd at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, erupted in celebration.
14. Sevilla vs. Barcelona — 2019
Barcelona’s 2019 La Liga match in Seville featured excellent movement before the ball eventually reached Ivan Rakitić on the wing.
Messi had found space between the defenders and adjusted his position slightly to create the ideal angle for a cross.
When Rakitić delivered the ball, Messi adjusted his body perfectly and struck a first-time volley into the top corner.
The finish was a spectacular piece of technique from the Argentine.
15. Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad — 2010
Messi made several defenders look helpless during this remarkable goal against Real Sociedad.
After receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, he cut inside as a defender attempted to challenge him.
Instead of shooting when the opportunity appeared, Messi used a series of hesitation moves to keep the defenders guessing.
He continued dribbling across the box, weaving past several opponents before calmly placing the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the side-netting.
It was a goal built on deception, close control and exceptional composure.
16. Sevilla vs. Barcelona — 2012
Messi began the move in the centre of the pitch before finding Andrés Iniesta on the left.
Iniesta returned the ball to the advancing Messi, who controlled it while moving forward.
His next touch took the ball through the legs of a Sevilla defender before he calmly lifted it over the goalkeeper and into the side-netting.
The finish was another example of Messi’s creativity and composure.
It was also one of the 91 goals he scored during his record-breaking 2012 calendar year.
17. Barcelona vs. Málaga — 2009
Messi gave fans another reminder of why the number 10 has become synonymous with his career during Barcelona’s 2009 La Liga match against Málaga.
Xavi Hernández sent a lofted ball towards Messi on the right flank.
Messi reached it first and used his chest to guide the ball into his path before accelerating towards the penalty area.
He then took two rapid touches with his left foot to move beyond the defender before using his right foot to poke the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
The speed, close control and finishing made the goal particularly memorable.
18. Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo — 2017
During the first half of Barcelona’s La Liga meeting with Celta Vigo, Sergio Busquets spotted Messi in space in the middle of the pitch.
He played a fast pass towards Messi, who controlled it expertly with his chest despite having a defender close behind him.
The Argentine quickly brought the ball under control, turned and accelerated towards goal.
Another defender attempted to stop him, but Messi easily moved beyond him before placing the ball into the bottom corner.
The goal also inspired enthusiastic commentary from Ray Hudson, who praised Messi’s brilliance.
19. Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao — 2021
During Barcelona’s 4-0 Copa del Rey victory, Messi collected the ball inside his own half before combining with right-back Sergiño Dest.
After several excellent touches down the right wing, he exchanged passes with Frenkie de Jong.
Messi then received the ball inside the right side of the penalty area, slowed down and manoeuvred past the defender before moving onto his left foot.
He calmly finished into the net, producing a goal that combined movement, passing, dribbling and composure.
20. Argentina vs. USA — 2016
During the 2016 Copa América semi-final in Houston, Messi added another spectacular free-kick to his collection.
With United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan positioned slightly towards his left post and the defensive wall covering the other side, Messi sent the ball in the opposite direction.
The strike flew into the top corner with remarkable power and accuracy.
The technique, placement and execution were outstanding.
The goal also helped Messi move to the top of Argentina’s all-time men’s goalscoring chart at the time.
Honourable mentions
Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid — 2011
Messi made beating the defender and finishing look remarkably simple.
Tenerife vs. Barcelona — 2010
Messi produced an exceptional chip over the goalkeeper from a difficult angle.
Argentina vs. Mexico — 2007
Messi calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper despite the challenging angle.