The 8 Strikes That Defined His History

Lionel Messi has written another chapter in his golden history. The Argentine has reached the incredible milestone of 900 goals in his professional career, yet another mark in his impressive record.

To talk about Messi's goals is to talk about the history of the Ballon d'Or. No other footballer on the planet has lifted this award on eight occasions. His relationship with the prize was built, year after year, thanks to his scoring prowess.

Behind those 900 goals are works of art, decisive Clásicos, and epic knockout ties. Each era of Messi has featured a different goal-scoring version, and each of those stages was crowned with the highest individual honor.

Therefore, to celebrate this new record for the Argentine, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and select just eight of his nine hundred goals. This is the definitive selection: one goal for each award.

These are the eight goals that, in one way or another, catapulted Lionel Messi to win each of his eight Ballon d'Or awards throughout his heroic and epic professional career.

2009: The Header in Rome

Messi's first Ballon d'Or has an unmistakable image. The 2009 Champions League final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Barcelona versus Manchester United. Packed stands.

Xavi Hernández sent a perfectly weighted cross into the box. Messi, one of the shortest players on the pitch, leaped between the opposing defenders, hung in the air, and connected with a header that left Edwin van der Sar with no chance.

It wasn't just any goal. It sealed the 2-0 victory to lift the Champions League trophy and secure the historic treble for Pep Guardiola's team in that legendary season. Furthermore, the great rival that night was none other than Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United, who had won the Ballon d'Or the previous year.

That header placed Messi at the top of the world. The Argentine made a statement and won the 2009 award with an overwhelming majority of the votes. It was his first Ballon d'Or.

2010: The Masterclass Against Arsenal

Messi's second Ballon d'Or was a reward for his pure individual talent. 2010 was a World Cup year for Spain and a treble-winning season for Inter Milan. However, the Argentine's day-to-day level was untouchable.

The definitive proof came in April. Champions League quarter-final at the Camp Nou against Arsenal. The English team started the match by taking the lead, but Messi responded with four goals.

The third goal of that night encapsulated his superiority. The Argentine found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Almunia and, instead of finishing with power, he chipped the ball over the keeper with absolute composure.

It was a performance that made headlines around the world. That four-goal haul showed that Messi was playing a different sport. In that sense, his individual impact and his goals led him to win his second consecutive Ballon d'Or.

2011: A Feat at the Santiago Bernabéu

The third consecutive Ballon d'Or arrived amidst a historic rivalry. Barcelona against Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola versus José Mourinho. Champions League semi-finals.

First leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. Absolute tension on the field. Just three minutes remained. Sergio Busquets left the ball stationary near the halfway line. Messi collected it and accelerated.

With utter ease, the Argentine left Lass Diarra, Sergio Ramos, Raúl Albiol, and Marcelo in his wake. He entered the box and finished across goal with his right foot as Iker Casillas desperately rushed out.

It was a moment of pure genius in the most heated match of 2011. That wonder goal settled the tie. Barcelona advanced to the final at Wembley, and Messi secured, without any doubt, his third golden award.

2012: Farewell to Gerd Müller's Record

The fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or was beyond dispute. Lionel Messi's 2012 was, simply, inhuman. He scored 91 goals in a single calendar year, a figure that defies the logic of the sport and that no one else has managed to reach.

From that mountain of goals, there is one that changed history forever. December 2012. Benito Villamarín stadium against Real Betis. The entire world was waiting for him to break the mythical record of 85 goals that the German Gerd Müller had held since 1972.

And in a move bearing the hallmark of the best Barcelona side, Messi combined at full speed with Andrés Iniesta, the Spaniard back-heeled the ball back to him inside the box, and the Argentine star did not hesitate: a low, driven left-footed shot across goal that was unstoppable for the keeper.

That was goal number 86. The strike that shattered Müller's record after 40 years. Although Barça only won the Copa del Rey that season, those 91 goals made Messi the winner of the 2012 Ballon d'Or.

2015: The Fall of Jérôme Boateng

The fifth Ballon d'Or came alongside a historic treble. Luis Enrique's Barcelona won everything in 2015. Messi led a lethal forward line with Luis Suárez and Neymar.

The peak moment of that season occurred in May. Champions League semi-finals at the Camp Nou. The opponent was Bayern Munich, managed by none other than Pep Guardiola. The match was tense and tight.

In the 80th minute, Messi received the ball on the right wing, entered the box, and took on Jérôme Boateng. With a brutal change of pace, he feinted to his left and burst to his right. The German defender lost his balance and fell backward onto the ground.

Only one obstacle remained: Manuel Neuer, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper. Messi thought calmly and finished with a subtle right-footed chip over the German giant.

The image went viral in seconds. That goal broke the tie, set the team on course for the final in Berlin, and made it clear who ruled Europe. The fifth golden award already had its owner.

2019: A Masterful Free-Kick Against Liverpool

The sixth Ballon d'Or broke the historic tie with Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2019, Messi carried Barcelona on his shoulders. His individual season was brilliant, even as the team showed certain flaws.

The image that defined his year occurred at the Camp Nou. Champions League semi-finals against Jürgen Klopp's powerful Liverpool. There were eight minutes left in the match.

A free-kick from almost 30 meters out. Messi placed the ball and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed strike. The ball swerved around the outside of the wall with perfect spin and went straight into the top right corner. Goalkeeper Alisson's dive was in vain. The ball cleared out the cobwebs.

That spectacular strike was his 600th goal for the Catalan club. Despite the unexpected subsequent elimination at Anfield, his level throughout the year was undeniable. That perfect free-kick left its mark on the world and practically catapulted him to his sixth golden award.

2021: The Captain's Redemption

The seventh Ballon d'Or had a different color. It was the first tinged with light blue and white. After many frustrations, 2021 marked Messi's definitive redemption with the Argentine National Team.

It all began in the Copa América opener in Brazil. Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium. The opponent was Chile, an old tormentor in previous finals. In the 33rd minute of the first half, the referee awarded a free-kick near the box.

Messi took the ball, lined up, and executed a perfect left-footed free-kick over the wall. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo stretched as far as he could, but the shot was unreachable and nestled in against the right post.

That goal was a statement of intent and set the tone for the entire tournament. Argentina broke a 28-year title drought and lifted the cup at the mythical Maracanã. Messi was the top scorer, the best player, and the absolute leader. The seventh golden award was inevitable.

2023: The Ultimate Coronation in Qatar

The eighth Ballon d'Or completed the perfect circle in Lionel Messi's career. It came after his triumph in the most coveted tournament on the planet: the FIFA World Cup 2022.

A historic final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Argentina against France. The 108th minute of extra time. The match was tied 2-2, and the tension was absolute.

Lautaro Martínez unleashed a powerful shot from inside the box. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris parried it. The ball remained alive in the six-yard box, and Messi appeared at the right moment to poke it in with his right foot.

Defender Jules Koundé tried to clear it off the line, but it was futile. The referee signaled that the ball had already crossed. This goal made it 3-2 in the greatest final of all time.

That goal wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing of his career. It was pure instinct and survival. It was the defiance to put his country ahead once more. Being crowned world champion ended any debate. The eighth award was in sight.

900 official goals. Eight Ballon d'Or awards. The numbers speak for themselves. But Lionel Messi's greatness surpasses any statistic. The Argentine didn't just break every possible record; he changed the history of football forever.

No one knows what his final tally will be. It doesn't matter either. His golden legend is already historic. The man from Rosario conquered the entire world with his goals and became the all-time leading winner of the Ballon d'Or. A one-of-a-kind player who made the impossible routine.