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It is the end of an era at Barcelona. Club legend Lionel Messi has reached the end of the road in the Catalan capital. Barca have released an official statement on their social media handles clarifying that they've decided to part ways with the Argentine amid their economic struggles.
This brings to an end a relationship that has lasted for over 21 years. Lionel Messi joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old kid in 2000. He broke through the ranks and made his way into the senior team in 2004. With a whopping 672 goals and 305 assists to his name from 778 appearances, he is without a doubt the greatest player in the Blaugrana's history.
The Argentine's stint at Camp Nou was full of iconic deeds. He scored some of the most brilliant goals the football world has seen and those memories will remain in the hearts of the fans forever. As he prepares his farewell message, we've decided to take a look at five of his most memorable goals in the Barcelona jersey.
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#5 Real Madrid vs Barcelona (UCL semi-final, 2011)
It was during those tense El Clasico years when Jose Mourinho was Real Madrid manager. Barcelona locked horns with their bitter rivals for the chance to reach the Champions League final. As expected, there were a lot of fights, bookings, rough tackles and bust-ups but that couldn't stop Lionel Messi from scoring one of the finest goals of his career.
Eleven minutes after putting the Blaugrana ahead, the Argentine returned with more magic - receiving the ball from Sergio Busquets in the center and dancing round the whole Real Madrid defense to score a breath-taking solo effort. The likes of Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Lassana Diarra and Marcelo were left chasing the dust, leaving Iker Casillas helpless in goal.
#4 Barcelona vs Liverpool (UCL semi-final, 2019)
Lionel Messi's performance in the first leg of the 2019 Champions League semi-final clash with Liverpool will remain one of the highlights of his career. The Argentine put his name on the scoresheet in the 75th minute when he doubled Barcelona's lead following Luis Suarez's first-half effort but his second goal of the night proved to be the real deal.
Barca were awarded a free-kick close to the center of the pitch in the 82nd minute. Messi shocked everyone when he stepped up and sent the ball crashing into the back of the net from 35 yards out. The effort was perfectly directed such that Alisson Becker stood no chance despite his massive jump.
#3 Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao (Copa del Rey final, 2015)
The 2015 Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao was another platform for Lionel Messi to prove his greatness. The Argentine's amazing solo effort in that encounter will continue to live in the memory of football fans for many years to come.
The match looked dull until Messi sparked life into it in the 20th minute. The playmaker received a short pass from Dani Alves on the right side of the halfway line. Leo left his marker chasing the dust with a brilliant move before approaching another set of three opposition players. The trio were sent to buy pizza, leaving him with one defender and the goalkeeper to beat. He cut past the last defender and gave the guardian no chance with a beautiful shot.
#2 Barcelona vs Bayern Munich (UCL semi-final, 2015)
Barcelona fans trembled as they watched the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern Munich at Camp Nou. The match proved to be a really tense encounter until Lionel Messi stepped up to prove his greatness by scoring a brace within the last 15 minutes.
His second strike, one of his best efforts in the Blaugrana jersey, was pure beauty. The Argentine received a pass from Ivan Rakitic, leaving Jerome Boateng falling like a mango tree with a sensational dribble before chipping the ball past Manuel Neuer's wide-stretched hands. Leo further set up Neymar in injury time to secure a vital 3-0 victory for the Catalan giants.
#1 Barcelona vs Getafe (Copa del Rey semi-final, 2007)
Lionel Messi has scored so many unbelievable goals in his career but this one is widely considered the best of them all. Outstanding, breathtaking, beautiful, incredible - no superlative seems to perfectly qualify for this fantastic effort.
It was a semifinal clash between Barcelona and Getafe in 2007. Lionel Messi perfectly reproduced the famous Diego Maradona goal of the century. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner received the ball in his own half and dribbled past half the entire opposition team, including the goalkeeper, before sending the ball into the back of the net.
The goal has been lauded by many as the greatest in the history of the beautiful game, alongside Maradona's memorable strike against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
