About this goal
In the final minute of the Clasico, Messi slaloms past Ivan Helguera and then evades the dive of Sergio Ramos to lash across Iker Casillas and into the far corner.
Ratings
Aesthetically Pleasing 28/30
Messi's first truly great individual goal, moving at an unreal pace - and this is in the last minute of a Clasico to boot.
Technical Difficulty 25/30
The space does open up in front of him but he takes full advantage and the finish from a tight spot is positioned perfectly.
Uniqueness 14/20
Messi is no stranger to going on runs like this.
Importance 9/10
An equaliser in the last minute of a Clasico.
Standard of Opposition 10/10
Real Madrid
FootballCritic Verdict
The game that announced Messi to the world with a superb hat-trick, with this one being the best of the bunch.
Goal video
Goal scorer
Lionel Messi
Forward (Centre),Attacking Midfielder (Centre),Forward (Right)
More Great Goals of Lionel Messi
| Rank | Name | Date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
Messi, to Alves, to Messi, to Alves, to Messi, to Alves, to Messi, who then slots past the goalkeeper. Three one-twos.
Goal type:
Team |
|||||
| 12 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
Messi shows superb strength on the halfway line to hold off the defender and skip past the next challenge. He then turns the final defender inside and out before lashing into the far corner.
Goal type:
Individual |
|||||
| 13 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
Dani Alves' no-look, outside-of-the-foot pass is totally obscene and allows Messi to just apply the finishing touch into the corner. Glorious football.
Goal type:
Team |
|||||
| 14 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
Carlos Tevez swivels in the middle and sprays the ball out wide to Messi who takes a touch before the most glorious of scoops over the top of the goalkeeper and into the net.
Goal type:
Special |
|||||
| 15 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
In the final minute of the Clasico, Messi slaloms past Ivan Helguera and then evades the dive of Sergio Ramos to lash across Iker Casillas and into the far corner.
Goal type:
Individual |
|||||
| 16 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Feb 23, 2019 | ||
|
Rakitic floats a cross to the edge of the area where Messi is poised, Zidane-style, and flashes a volley with perfect connection into the top corner of the net in a crowded area.
Goal type:
Volley |
|||||
| 17 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
Xavi teases a ball into the area and the diminutive Messi leaps to an extraordinary height from the ground, his boot falling off in the process, to head back across Edwin van der Sar and into the net.
Goal type:
Header |
|||||
| 18 |
![]() |
Lionel Messi | Jan 1, 1970 | ||
|
Messi collects the ball on the right flank and meanders his way across the area and exchanges a one-two with Samuel Eto'o before coolly rolling the ball into the corner.
Goal type:
Individual |
|||||

