5 greatest Lionel Messi performances in the UEFA Champions League

#2 Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United, 2011 Final

Messi stunned Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final

In the 2010-11 Champions League final, Barcelona were up against Manchester United, in a repeat of the 2008-09 final. The Red Devils were out for revenge, as the Catalans had previously won in Rome. Just like that fateful night, United started the game well, but were undone by the sheer brilliance of Messi.

It was Pedro who put the Blaugrana ahead in the game, only for Wayne Rooney to draw the Red Devils level. The first half ended 1-1, but after the break, Barcelona hit an overdrive, riding on an unplayable performance from their Argentinean maestro. Messi tortured and tormented the United defense right from the beginning of the second half and finally put his team ahead in the 54th minute.

The Red Devils had struggled to get close to him all night and were guilty of affording him too much time on the ball. The Argentine unleashed a powerful drive from 25 yards that surprised Edwin Van Der Saar in goal and restored Barcelona’s lead. Messi continued to threaten United with his pulsating runs, with the Dutch goalkeeper coming to his side’s rescue on a couple of occasions. However, he was powerless to stop David Villa, who added a late third that effectively ruled United out of the game.

Barcelona were the European Champions once again, but the night belonged to Messi, whose mesmerizing magic had undone Manchester United one more time.