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#3 Lionel Messi
Widely regarded as the greatest footballer to have graced the game, Lionel Messi accomplished what most footballers never achieve in their careers by the age of 23.
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The Argentinian made his Barcelona debut in the summer of 2005 at the tender age of 17 and cemented his place in the team by the age of 18. A multiple-time Champions League winner, Messi has produced some of his best displays in his career in this competition.
Messi is also the competition's second-highest goalscorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentine is also tied with the Portuguese as the two players who have scored the most number of hattricks in Champions League history with 7 a piece.
Messi scored 14 goals in the 2011-12 Champions League, as Barcelona were knocked out by eventual winners Chelsea in the semi-final of the tournament.
As Messi and Barcelona prepare to take on Chelsea in the round of 16 this season, another Champions League knockout phase is set to begin for the player and the club. Messi has scored 5 goals this campaign and is 4 away from the leader Ronaldo, who has 9.
