“Against Uruguay in a tense 0–0 qualifier, Messi meets Di María’s low cutback with a calm right-foot finish from close range, standing almost square to goal as he breaks the deadlock and delivers the eventual World Cup qualifying winner, career goal 294.”
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.
With Barcelona level late on, Messi lashes a difficult right-footed half-volley on the rise into the corner to retake the lead against Racing, a low-xG strike that stands out as the match-winning goal and his 77th career strike.
From just inside the box, Messi pauses side-on to goal and calmly guides a rare right-footed finish back across the keeper to edge Villarreal 3–2, capping a hot scoring streak with his 431st career strike and 265th in La Liga.
From just inside the box, Messi calmly lifts a delicate right-footed lob over the onrushing Villarreal keeper to restore Barcelona’s lead, a composed winning finish that becomes La Liga goal number 97 of his career.