Messi's most iconic moments as he ponders retirement

**Messi's most iconic moments as he ponders retirement** Lionel Messi is weighing his future in football after the death of his father, Jorge. The 39‑year‑old Argentina forward remains under contract with Inter Miami through 2028, but in an emotional tribute to his dad he said, "I don't know how to continue. I used to just play football, and now I'm truly not sure if I'll continue doing it for much longer." Over his career Messi has amassed a combined 921 goals for Barcelona, Paris Saint‑Ger­main, Inter Miami and the Argentine national team. Below are the moments that have defined his extraordinary journey. **First hat‑trick as teenager shows talent** At age 19 Messi recorded his first professional hat‑trick in El Clásico on 10 March 2007. Barcelona played to a 3‑3 draw with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, Messi scoring every Barcelona goal, including a last‑minute finish after beating two defenders. The performance marked the point at which he became a household name. **Sublime solo strike sparks Maradona memories** Just over a week after the hat‑trick, Messi produced a solo goal reminiscent of Diego Maradona’s 1986 effort against England. In the Copa del Rey semi‑final first leg against Getafe on 18 April 2007, Barcelona won 5‑2. Messi collected the ball in his own half, bypassed roughly five defenders, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the finish. **First Champions League final goal** In the 2009 Champions League final versus Manchester United, Messi headed Xavi’s cross to open the scoring. At the time some English fans and journalists doubted his ability to affect English opposition in Europe, having failed to score in ten prior Champions League appearances against Premier League sides. Two years later he would net again in a final triumph over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, securing his third of four Champions League winner’s medals. **Hitting four past Arsenal** Messi first reached four goals in a match during the 2010 Champions League quarter‑final against Arsenal. Barcelona won the home leg 4‑1, with the hat‑trick completed by a chip over goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. An honourable mention goes to his five‑goal haul against Bayer Leverkusen two years later in a 7‑1 last‑16 victory. He remains the second‑all‑time Champions League scorer with 129 goals, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo. **Breaking Barcelona's scoring record** On 20 March 2012 Messi scored a hat‑trick against Granada in a 5‑3 win, equalling César Rodríguez’s 60‑year‑old record of 232 goals before surpassing it with his second and third strikes. By the time he departed Barcelona in 2021 his tally had grown to 672 goals. **A record 91 goals in a year** In 2012 Messi reached an astonishing 91 goals for the calendar year. His 91st strike came in Barcelona’s 3‑1 victory at Real Valladolid on 22 December. He contributed 79 goals for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina across 69 appearances for club and country, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The feat helped him secure a then‑unprecedented fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or, despite only winning the Copa del Rey that season. **New La Liga scoring record** Messi lifted the La Liga scoring record with a hat‑trick against Sevilla on 22 November 2014, a 5‑1 win. He matched Telmo Zarra’s 251‑goal benchmark set in 1955 via a free‑kick, then broke and extended the mark. He finished his Barcelona career with 474 La Liga goals, well clear of Ronaldo’s 311 for Real Madrid. **A 500th Barcelona goal and another El Clásico** On 23 April 2017 Messi scored an injury‑time winner in a 3‑2 victory over Real Madrid. The goal, a first‑time finish from the edge of the area, was his 500th for Barcelona and secured an El Clásico triumph. He celebrated by removing his shirt and holding it aloft for the Bernabéu faithful to see his name. **Tears at end of 21‑year Barcelona stay** In August 2021 Messi left Barcelona on a free transfer after 21 years, 672 goals and 35 trophies, citing the club’s inability to meet wage‑limit obligations. At a press conference a tearful Messi declared, "My household and I were convinced we were going to enactment here, astatine home. I don't privation to permission this nine - it's a nine I emotion and this is simply a infinitesimal I didn't expect." Despite links with Manchester City, he joined Paris Saint‑Ger­main. **First international trophy with Argentina** On 11 July 2021, at age 34, Messi captured his first senior international trophy as Argentina defeated Brazil 1‑0 in the Copa America final at the Maracaná. He was named player of the tournament after scoring four goals. An emotional Messi fell to the turf when the final whistle blew and was tossed into the air by teammates in celebration. He would win a second Copa America three years later. **World Cup triumph & best player award** The 2022 World Cup delivered the crowning achievement many thought might never come. After previously retiring from international football, Messi returned to score two goals and convert his penalty in the shoot‑out victory over France following a 3‑3 draw. He was awarded the tournament’s best player, having found the net seven times, including in every knockout round. **A record eighth Ballon d’Or** Messi added two further Ballon d’Or awards after leaving Barcelona—one with Paris Saint‑Ger­main and one with Inter Miami—bringing