“Against Bayern in a Champions League quarter-final, Messi breaks the deadlock from Samuel Eto’o’s early assist to launch Barcelona’s 4–0 rout, adding another strike to his growing European tally and pushing his Champions League total to 15 at just 21 years old.”
In a Champions League quarter-final, Messi tears apart Bayern’s defence with a ruthless brace and a slick assist, announcing the 21-year-old as Barcelona’s unstoppable force on the biggest European stage.
Against a relentless Liverpool in a Champions League semi-final, Messi doubles Barcelona’s lead to tilt the tie decisively their way, and the strike also becomes his mythical 600th goal for the club.
In a tense El Clásico Champions League semi-final deadlocked at 0–0, Messi latches onto Afellay’s low cross to break Madrid’s resistance and give Barcelona a crucial first-leg lead, on the way to a brace and his 35th Champions League goal.
In a Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona trailing Arsenal, Messi’s first strike instantly drags Barça level and ignites the four-goal masterclass that turns this night into his iconic Camp Nou ‘poker’, capped as career goal No.129 and his 22nd in the competition.
Against Bayern Munich in a tense Champions League semi-final locked at 0–0, Messi finally breaks the deadlock from a Dani Alves assist, igniting Barcelona’s 3–0 first-leg win and pushing his career tally to 451 goals.