Daily Times

Lionel Messi has been performing at the top-level for as long as we can remember. The little Argentine started his career at just 17 years of age, and now, 14 years later, he is one of the greatest footballers to have graced the game.

But there have been times when he has looked larger than life and invincible. Here are four such occasions.

Messi vs Manchester United (2011 UCL final)

Nothing’s prettier than peak Lionel Messi. When he has the ball at his feet, accompanied by his fluency, he is second to absolutely none.

Against Manchester United in 2011, he absolutely ran through the entire defence for as long as the 90 minutes one could remember. Given the credentials of MUFC defenders at that time, for example Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Messi’s performance becomes ever so marvelous.

Messi vs Real Madrid (2011 UCL Sem-final at Santiago Bernabeu)

Who can forget Lionel Messi’s goal against Real Madrid in 2011 UCL semi-final at Santiago Bernabeu, where he beat 5 Maridistas, including goal-keeper Iker Casillas to score one of the most memorable goals in the UEFA Champions League history.

That was one match where Messi soar to great heights, and there was no match to his genius. There still isn’t any.

Messi 2012

91 goals in a calendar year are not everyone’s cup of tea, but Messi’s. In 2012, Messi was not just unstoppable, he was absolutely invincible.

Even Ronaldo was a tad 30 goals short of little Leo, and that just describes how good the little genius was that entire year. So much so that even Messi himself won’t be able to repeat it.

Messi vs Juventus (2015 UCL final)

This is one occasion people don’t give Messi enough credit for. I mean, it’s okay he did not score, but he was pulling the strings all the time.

That is the reason why he proved to be Barcelona’s back-bone on the night, helping Luis Suarez and Neymar score their goals to award Barcelona a 3-1 win against Juventus and a 5th UCL title.