Top 10 most iconic Lionel Messi performances of the decade

#9 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification: Ecuador 1-3 Argentina

Messi claims the match ball after scoring his 2nd competitive Argentina hat-trick

Argentina traveled to Ecuador on the final Matchday of the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers, needing a win to seal qualification for the quadrennial tournament. Following an inconsistent qualifying campaign, the Albiceleste knew that any further slip-up could cost them a ticket to the World Cup.

Romario Ibara's opener in the first minute of the game set the cat among the pigeons. But Messi calmed Argentine nerves by slotting in his 5th goal of the qualifying campaign to restore parity for the visitors.

Eight minutes later Messi put Argentina into the lead. And at the hour mark, Messi converted an Enzo Perez pass to register his second competitive hat-trick for the Albiceleste (5th overall).

Argentina hung on for a 3-1 win to seal their place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

#10 LaLiga 2019-20: Barcelona 5-2 Mallorca

Messi holds aloft his record 6th Ballon d'Or award in front of an adoring Camp Nou faithful

Days after winning a record 6th Ballon d'Or award, Messi hoisted aloft the award in front of an adoring Camp Nou faithful before strutting out his usual fare out on the pitch.

A double from Messi after Antoine Greizmann's opener helped Barcelona open up a comfortable 3-1 lead in their home game against Mallorca in the 2019-20 Liga season.

After Ante Budimir reduced the arrears to 2-4 for the away side, Messi took the outright lead for most Liga hat-tricks when he slotted in his third of the night seven minutes from time, to complete his record 35th three (or more)-goal haul in the Spanish top-flight.

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