Lionel Messi names the most beautiful and most important goals of his career so far

Lionel Messi picked two significant goals in his career as his personal favorites in his latest interview with ESPN Argentina journalist Martin Arevalo. In over 800 career goals scored for his clubs and country, Leo did not hesitate to pick only two as his favorites.

He chose one of his two goals against Real Madrid in the 2011 Champions League semi-final first-leg as the most beautiful one and his second goal against France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final as the most important one in his career.

"My favorite goal? Most beautiful is the one against Real Madrid in 2011, and the most important in the World Cup final," Leo said.

The Argentine did not specify which of his goals against Real Madrid in the 2011 UCL semi-final first leg he was referring to, as he scored in the 76th and 87th minute of the game. However, he was likely referring to the second one, as it is widely considered an iconic solo goal from Messi in Barca's history.

His 2022 World Cup final goal is rightly one of the most important goals of his career, as it put Argentina in a 3-2 lead after France maintained a 2-2 scoreline. Leo also converted a penalty early on in the 23rd minute in the final but was likely not referring to it.

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A look at Lionel Messi's goals against Real Madrid in the UCL and World Cup final

On April 27, 2011, Lionel Messi scored two iconic goals against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, leading Barcelona to victory. After a hard-fought first half ended goalless, Messi stepped up to score goals within the span of 11 minutes to take the game away from the Los Blancos.

In the 76th minute, Xavi used the width of the pitch and passed the ball to Ibrahim Afellay. Afellay wrongfooted Marcelo on the right wing and produced a lightning cross into the penalty box. Lionel Messi beat all defensive lines to slot the ball home.

In the 87th minute, Real Madrid were throwing the kitchen sink at the Barcelona defence looking to equalize. At a crucial juncture, Leo suddenly took the ball from Sergio Busquets near the center line and dribbled past the entire Real Madrid defence to pass the ball into the left corner of net.

Barcelona won the match 2-0 and went on to lift their fourth Champions League trophy that season under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.

The other goal that Lionel Messi talked about is Argentina’s goal in the 108th minute of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France. After a rollercoaster of a regulation time that ended 2-2, Argentina came guns ablaze into extra time as Gonzalo Montiel chipped the ball towards Lautaro Martinez.

With one backheel flick, he passed the ball to an advancing Messi. Thereafter, the ball was driven into the penalty box through some short passes between Messi, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.

Hugo Lloris saved Martinez’s shot but the ball rebounded and fell to the feet of Lionel Messi who slotted it home. France would again equalize courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe penality (118').

However, Argentina had the last laugh as they went on to win 4-2 in the penalty shootout. Lionel Messi also won the Golden Ball award in the 2022 World Cup.