Lionel Messi produced another masterclass to destroy Bayern Munich in the first leg of Wednesday's Champions League semifinal. The Barcelona forward scored his 76tth and 77th goals in the competition to inspire his side to a 3-0 win at the Camp Nou. But which goal is his best?
The best ever? —
Lionel Messi produced another masterclass to destroy Bayern Munich in the first leg of Wednesday's Champions League semifinal. The Barcelona forward scored his 76tth and 77th goals in the competition to inspire his side to a 3-0 win at the Camp Nou. But which goal is his best?
Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images
Messi's second goal of the night against Bayern was sumptuous. The forward left Jerome Boateng, the defender, flat on his back before nonchalantly chipping the ball over Manuel Neuer, arguably the world's best goalkeeper. It was a goal which sent social media into meltdown.
Messi magic —
Messi's second goal of the night against Bayern was sumptuous. The forward left Jerome Boateng, the defender, flat on his back before nonchalantly chipping the ball over Manuel Neuer, arguably the world's best goalkeeper. It was a goal which sent social media into meltdown.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Image
Messi's 25-yard strike against Stuttgart in 2010 was a thing of beauty -- taking the ball in his stride and unleashing a left-footed effort which rocketed into the net. Four defenders attempted to close him down -- nobody got close. Barca won the game 4-0.
Stuttgart stunned —
Messi's 25-yard strike against Stuttgart in 2010 was a thing of beauty -- taking the ball in his stride and unleashing a left-footed effort which rocketed into the net. Four defenders attempted to close him down -- nobody got close. Barca won the game 4-0.
Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Image
Messi was the star of the show against Arsenal in the 2010 quarterfinal. The forward scored all four goals in a 4-1 second leg victory, including this audacious chip which left fans drooling. Arsenal had taken the lead before Messi ripped the visiting side to pieces.
Up and over —
Messi was the star of the show against Arsenal in the 2010 quarterfinal. The forward scored all four goals in a 4-1 second leg victory, including this audacious chip which left fans drooling. Arsenal had taken the lead before Messi ripped the visiting side to pieces.
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Arsenal must have been sick of the sight of Messi after the two teams met again in 2011. Messi scored twice in a 3-1 win, including a wonderfully worked first half strike which came after he chipped the ball over Manuel Almunia, the Arsenal goalkeeper, and volleyed home from close range.
At the double —
Arsenal must have been sick of the sight of Messi after the two teams met again in 2011. Messi scored twice in a 3-1 win, including a wonderfully worked first half strike which came after he chipped the ball over Manuel Almunia, the Arsenal goalkeeper, and volleyed home from close range.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Real Madrid felt the full force of Messi in the 2011 semifinal as Barcelona cruised to a 2-0 first leg win at the Bernebau courtesy of the little magician. His second goal left the home fans in stunned silence as he ran fully 30 yards, waltzing past all in his path before firing the ball into the far corner. Barca went on to win the competition that year.
El Clasico classic —
Real Madrid felt the full force of Messi in the 2011 semifinal as Barcelona cruised to a 2-0 first leg win at the Bernebau courtesy of the little magician. His second goal left the home fans in stunned silence as he ran fully 30 yards, waltzing past all in his path before firing the ball into the far corner. Barca went on to win the competition that year.
Dani Pozo/AFP/Getty Images
Messi scored five times in the 7-1 win over German's Bayer Leverkusen but it was this strike, a wonderful chipped effort, which stole the headlines. Messi, in behind the defense, instantly took control of a long ball before taking a touch and lifting the ball over the goalkeeper. Leverkusen's defenders could only watch and admire.
High five —
Messi scored five times in the 7-1 win over German's Bayer Leverkusen but it was this strike, a wonderful chipped effort, which stole the headlines. Messi, in behind the defense, instantly took control of a long ball before taking a touch and lifting the ball over the goalkeeper. Leverkusen's defenders could only watch and admire.
David Ramos/Getty Images
There are just the 77 Champions League goals to choose from then -- but which one do you rank as Messi's best ever? Tweet us <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FCNNFC" target="_blank" target="_blank">@CNNFC</a> with your answers or leave us a message on our <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcnnsport" target="_blank" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.
Choose your favourite! —
There are just the 77 Champions League goals to choose from then -- but which one do you rank as Messi's best ever? Tweet us @CNNFC with your answers or leave us a message on our Facebook page.
Quique Garcia/AFP/Getty Images