Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has revealed which goals hold the greatest significance for him, admitting that selecting just two from his remarkable career is an extremely difficult task.
The Inter Miami forward discussed the subject during an interview with Spanish news agency EFE in Oviedo, Spain, where he was preparing to receive the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on October 23, 2026.
Messi, who has scored hundreds of goals for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Argentina, explained that the importance of a goal often depends on the occasion and what it means to the team and its supporters. Rather than choosing two definitive strikes, he highlighted the importance of Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France and pointed to several possibilities from his Barcelona years.
Messi Highlights Argentina’s Historic World Cup Final
When asked to identify the goals that mean the most to him, Messi pointed towards the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where Argentina defeated France in one of the most memorable matches in the tournament’s history.
The final, played at Lusail Stadium, ended 3-3 after extra time before Argentina won the penalty shootout. Messi scored twice, helping his country secure the World Cup trophy after a dramatic contest.
For the Argentine captain, the importance of those goals went beyond their technical quality. The match represented the culmination of years of international competition and brought him the biggest prize in men’s international football.
Messi had previously experienced disappointment with Argentina at major tournaments, including defeat in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany. Winning in Qatar therefore carried enormous personal and national significance.
The victory also strengthened his legacy as one of football’s greatest players, completing a collection of major honours that included the Copa América and numerous club trophies.
In his latest comments, Messi made clear that the circumstances surrounding a goal can be just as important as the finish itself. The World Cup final stands out because of the pressure, the occasion and what Argentina’s triumph meant to millions of supporters.
Barcelona Goals Still Difficult to Rank
While Messi was able to identify the World Cup final as a standout moment for Argentina, choosing a favourite from his Barcelona career proved more complicated.
During his time at the Spanish club, Messi produced an extraordinary collection of goals across La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. His performances included spectacular solo runs, free kicks, long-range strikes and decisive finishes in some of football’s biggest matches.
Instead of settling on one specific goal, he suggested that a strike in a Champions League final, a goal against Real Madrid in El Clásico or another decisive match could deserve recognition.
His answer reflects the sheer number of important moments he experienced at Barcelona, where he developed into the club’s leading scorer and one of the defining players of his generation.
Revisiting Messi’s Most Memorable Barcelona Goals
Several goals from Messi’s Barcelona career regularly feature in discussions about his finest performances.
1. Header against Manchester United in 2009
Messi scored with a header in Barcelona’s 2-0 Champions League final victory over Manchester United in Rome. The goal was particularly memorable because heading was not usually considered one of his strongest attributes.
Messi scored twice in Barcelona’s 2-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg win at the Santiago Bernabéu. His second goal, produced after a dazzling run through the Madrid defence, remains one of his most celebrated individual efforts.
Messi has offered different answers when discussing his favourite goal over the years. In 2023, he identified his solo effort against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals as his most beautiful goal. In 2025, he selected his header against Manchester United in the 2009 final as the most meaningful, highlighting the importance of the occasion.
Messi Receives Prestigious Sports Award in Spain
The interview took place in Oviedo ahead of the ceremony for the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. The honour recognises significant achievements and contributions in the world of sport.
Messi’s visit also carried personal significance following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August 2026. Reports said the footballer’s father had been looking forward to seeing his son receive the award.
The recognition adds to Messi’s long list of individual achievements, which includes eight Ballon d’Or awards and numerous honours won with Barcelona and Argentina.
His career has spanned domestic leagues, European competitions and international tournaments, with his World Cup triumph in 2022 representing one of its defining moments.
Why Messi’s Choices Matter to Football Fans
Messi’s response offers an insight into how elite players judge their own achievements. Supporters often rank goals based on technical brilliance, but players may place greater value on the stakes involved, the opponent or the significance of a particular victory.
For Messi, Argentina’s World Cup final against France clearly occupies a special place because of what the match represented. His reluctance to name a single Barcelona goal also reflects how many defining moments he experienced during his years in Spain.
Although he did not settle on two exact goals as his definitive choices, his comments have renewed discussion among football fans about which of his many memorable strikes deserves the highest place.
