Lionel Messi and the 7 times he carried the burden of leading Argentina and Barcelona on his back.
This post is not about whether or not Lionel Messi is the greatest-ever footballer to grace the surface of the earth.
That conversation is probably boring in 2025 even though it has refuse to die after more than a decade.
Instead, it is a mild reminder of some of Messi's greatest or say iconic exploits on the pitch as a footballer.
Leaders are meant to show up when push comes to shove and lead by example. They are meant to rise up to the occasions and rescue their followers or team in difficult situations - Lionel Messi did that and much more.
Ranking Messi's most iconic moments either for Barcelona or Argentina would be difficult because he has some many of them in his archives.
This post picks just seven of those moments for your reading pleasure.
1. 2014 World Cup (Argentina)
It could have been his first World Cup triumph given how he played in that tournament. Messi led an unbalanced Argentinian side to the tournament and practically carried the team all the way to the final.
He scored four goals in the group stage including two free-kicks against the Super Eagles of Nigeria and a long-range strike against Iran.
Messi played an important role in the knockout stage with an assist for Di Maria against Switzerland in the second round.
He also converted his spot kick against Netherlands in the semi-finals.
In the final, Messi created chances but Gonzalo Higuain failed to convert, He was a handful from the German defenders but Argentina lost 1-0 to a Mario Götze's 113th minute goal.
He ended the tournament with the Golden Ball - Best Player.
2. 2009 Champions League Final (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi was just 21-years-old but he was the focal point of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team even though Samuel Eto'o was the striker.
Messi faced defending champions Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and made light work of Vidic and Ferdinand in defense.
The Argentine captain scored a rare header from a sublime pin-point cross from the legendary Xavi Hernandez to double the lead for Barcelona in the second half after Eto'o's opener in the first half.
Messi's goal sealed the win for the Catalan Giants and capped the treble-wining season.
3. 2017 World Cup Qualifier vs. Ecuador (Argentina)
Argentina went through a disastrous 2018 World Cup qualification series and they almost did not qualify for the mundial in Russia if not for Messi who rescued the three-time World champions from a monumental embarrassment.
Argentina travelled to Ecuador in a most win game to seal qualification. Unfortunately, they conceded less than a minute into the action.
The cloudy was gloomy and the rain of shame was about to fall on Argentina until Messi showed up. Messi scored a fantastic hat trick to help Argentina to a 3-1 win which secured their place at the 2018 World Cup.
4. Messi's Record-Breaking Year 2012 (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi was practically a "beast" in 2012. His performance for club and country that year remains one of the most iconic individual performances in the history of the game.
He bagged 91 goals in that calendar year as he smashed Gerd Muller's age-long record.
The German forward scored 85 goals for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972. Messi led Barcelona to Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup victories.
Needless to say, he won the Ballon D'or that year - his fourth.
5. 2022 FIFA World Cup (Argentina)
It was a World Cup Messi was condemned to win. Hence, a huge question mark on his legacy.
Argentina did not help their captain as they started the World Cup with a shocker - 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia.
However, Lionel Messi, once again, carried the team on his shoulders as he scored seven goals and provided three assists in seven matches.
He bagged a brace in the final against France and converted his spot kick in the penalty shoot out.
His heroics carried a talented but Messi-dependent Argentina team to their first World Cup success since 1986.
6. 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Season (Barcelona)
Messi led a Barcelona team in transition under current Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde.
It was pragmatic and less-flamboyant Barcelona side but Messi still his magic.
He scored 12 goals and provided three assists in the tournament and made Barcelona a contender for the title until they met Liverpool.
Despite scoring a stunning free-kick in the 3-0 in the first-leg semi-final, Barcelona fell to 4-0 defeat at Anfield in the second.
He, however, finished as the competition's top scorer that season.
7. Real Madrid (2017 El Clásico at the Bernabéu)
Lionel Messi's performance against his eternal rivals remains fresh in the minds of Barcelona fans and obviously Real Madrid fans.
It was a Messi v Real Madrid show at Bernabeu and Messi silenced the vociferous home crowd with a 92nd minute winner as he raised his shirt in front of the home fans to mark his 500th Barcelona goal.
His brace ensured a 3-2 win over their rivals in a Liga fixture.
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