LIONELMESSIIS THE GOAT.

At Newell’s Old Boys, an eight-year-old Messi was already moving through defenses with the ball glued to his left foot.

A 13-year-old crossed the Atlantic for a trial. The decision that followed changed the history of football.

Against Espanyol, Messi entered the match and began a record-breaking first-team story.

Ronaldinho lifted the pass. Messi lifted the finish. The first of hundreds in Barça colors.

At 18, Messi came off the bench against Serbia and Montenegro, assisted Hernán Crespo, then scored his first World Cup goal in Argentina’s 6–0 win.

Three goals against Real Madrid—including a late equalizer—announced a generational talent.

From inside his own half, Messi slalomed through Getafe and rounded the goalkeeper. Barça revisits the solo goal that became an instant classic.

Against Mexico in the Copa América semifinal, Messi floated an unforgettable left-footed chip over the goalkeeper.

Messi helped Argentina defend Olympic gold, setting up Ángel Di María for the winning goal against Nigeria.

A looping header against Manchester United sealed a 2–0 Champions League final victory and Barcelona’s historic treble.

A treble, a Champions League final goal, and the first of a record eight Ballon d’Or awards.

Arsenal took the lead. Messi answered with all four Barcelona goals in a breathtaking Champions League quarterfinal performance.

A low strike from outside the box helped Barcelona beat Manchester United 3–1 in a defining Champions League final.

Messi scored 91 times for club and country in one calendar year—a modern-era benchmark.

At the January 2013 ceremony, Messi received the 2012 Ballon d’Or—his fourth consecutive award and a new record.

A thunderous opener and a curling free kick against Nigeria carried Argentina to a 3–2 win and a perfect group-stage record.

A change of direction left Jérôme Boateng on the turf. A delicate chip over Manuel Neuer finished a defining Champions League moment.

Starting near the touchline, Messi escaped a crowd of Athletic defenders and scored a breathtaking solo goal in the Copa del Rey final.

An extraordinary free kick against the USA made Messi Argentina’s all-time leading scorer in the Copa América semifinal.

A last-gasp winner against Real Madrid brought up 500 Barcelona goals. The shirt held toward the crowd became an enduring image.

A thigh control, a left-foot touch, and a right-foot finish against Nigeria helped keep Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive.

Messi curled a spectacular free kick past Liverpool for his 600th Barcelona goal in the Champions League semifinal first leg.

After scoring against Osasuna, Messi revealed a Newell’s number 10 shirt in a moving tribute to Diego Maradona.

Argentina beat Brazil at the Maracanã, giving Messi his first senior international title.

Messi helped Argentina sweep Italy aside 3–0 in the Finalissima, turning a meeting of continental champions into a celebration.

Two goals in an unforgettable final, then the defining image: Messi lifting the World Cup.

Deep into stoppage time against Cruz Azul, Messi curled a free kick into the top corner to win his first match for Inter Miami.

Messi scored in the Leagues Cup final as Inter Miami won the first title in club history.

After leading Argentina to World Cup glory, Messi collected a record eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris.

Injury ended Messi’s final early, but Argentina beat Colombia in extra time to retain the Copa América title.

Messi supplied two assists in a 3–1 victory over Vancouver, leading Inter Miami to its first MLS Cup and earning final MVP honours.

A left-footed finish brought up goal No. 900—twenty-one years after his first.