Lionel Messi's five best performances ever

#2 - Vs Manchester United (2011) - Messi wins his third Champions League.

Barcelona v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Final

Barcelona came into this game as firm favourites and gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side "a hiding nobody had ever given them before" according to the Scottish legend.

The Spanish side grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with both Pedro and David Villa coming close. It looked almost certain that Messi would open the scoring when his run from deep tricked both Ji-Sung Park and Patrice Evra but a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Nemanja Vidić denied the Argentine his first chance of the game. The first goal of the game came when Xavi's pass found Pedro on the left hand side who slotted the ball home to give Barca a deserved lead.

Manchester United then found their rhythm and instantly replied when Wayne Rooney's delightful one-two with Javier Hernandez found him in space on the centre spot and the Englishman buried the ball into the top left corner to equalise.

Barcelona then looked more likely of the sides to score as Villa and Xavi both squandered difficult chances after good work from Messi. Messi then dribbled through from the halfway line putting through Villa who attempted to play the ball back to Messi but his scuffed pass narrowly missed the Argentine.

Messi however, wouldn't be denied and gave Barcelona the lead when he picked the ball up 35-yards out, drove forward and powered a low drive past Edwin Van Der Sar. It wasn't the most accurate strike of Messi's career but the sheer power of the drive was enough to beat the legendary goalkeeper. The Dutchman was hard-worked throughout the second half being forced into multiple saves from Messi and Xavi.

Barcas third came from the little man again, his dazzling run beat three but was eventually cut out; the ball fell to Xavi who teed up Villa who stopped the ball dead and curled it into the top right corner to give Barcelona another Champions League triumph.