“Against Serbia in 2006, Messi caps Argentina’s 6–0 World Cup rout by finishing a Tevez move in the 88th minute, marking his very first goal on football’s biggest stage and announcing himself as an 18-year-old World Cup scorer.”
At his first World Cup, an 18-year-old Messi comes off the bench to score and assist in just 16 minutes, instantly transforming a routine group match against Serbia into his breakout tournament statement.
Against Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final Clásico, Messi latches onto Sergio Busquets’ pass to double Barça’s late lead to 2–0, effectively sealing the tie and adding Champions League goal number 36 to his burgeoning career tally.
Against Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final, Messi latches onto Ivan Rakitić’s pass to double Barcelona’s lead on the night, capping a masterclass performance en route to his 77th goal in the competition and 452nd of his career.
With Barcelona pegged back at 1–1 in a Champions League quarter-final, Messi latches onto Pedro’s assist to restore the lead against Arsenal, the second act of a four-goal masterclass that drives him toward career goal 130.
Against a Chelsea side that had frustrated him for years, Messi pounces on Luis Suárez’s early assist to break the deadlock in the third minute and set Barcelona on their way, moving to the brink of his 100th Champions League goal.