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| Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images |
Lionel Messi has scored over 800 goals in a career packed with brilliance, magic, and jaw-dropping moments, but the Barcelona legend has now revealed which one stands out above the rest, and it might surprise some fans.
In a recent interview, the Inter Miami forward admitted that his favourite goal ever is not one of his signature solo runs or curling finishes, but a header. Yes, a header, and one that sealed a historic night for Barça.
“I had many goals that are perhaps even more beautiful and of a lot of value, because of the importance as well, but the header in the Champions League final against Manchester United was always my favourite,” Messi explained as quoted by SPORT.
Relive the header
That goal came on May 27, 2009, in Rome, during the UEFA Champions League final. It was a rare sight for a player known more for weaving through defenders than leaping above them.
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| Lionel Messi scored a rare headed goal against Manchester United. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) |
Yet, in the 70th minute, Messi latched onto a stunning cross from Xavi Hernández and launched himself into the air. Despite being just 1.70m tall, he outjumped defenders and sent a looping header over the towering Edwin van der Sar.
It was Messi’s only headed goal in a Champions League final, and what a time to do it. The strike sealed a 2-0 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United and capped off a legendary season for Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.
That 2008–09 campaign saw Barça win the treble, La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, making them the first Spanish club to ever achieve that feat.
For all the thunderous free-kicks, magical dribbles, and impossible angles Messi has conquered, his favourite goal remains a reminder of what Barcelona stood for at their peak: precision, unity, and brilliance.
And at the heart of it, a little Argentine who rose above it all, bootless and fearless.
- Swapnil Bhopatkar
