Football has seen many remarkable moments from Lionel Messi. His collection of highlights is vast, and anyone who has followed him over the last two decades likely has a favorite moment or several from his exceptional career.
Messi’s brilliance has become expected. The game has been filled with incredible instances that leave people amazed. Spectators often find themselves asking, “Did he really just do that?”
His talent was evident early on at Barcelona, where the club invested significantly to help him realize his full potential. This investment paid off handsomely for the Spanish team.
Messi made his mark as Barcelona’s youngest debutant and goalscorer. His transition to the first team was aided by Ronaldinho, a player regarded as the best in the world at that time, who welcomed Messi warmly.
Ronaldinho quickly recognized that this shy but gifted teenager was destined for greatness and believed Messi would eventually surpass his own achievements.
Ronaldinho also featured prominently in Messi’s first major El Clásico match. After an impressive performance at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid, the Brazilian received a standing ovation—a rarity for an opposing player.
While Messi supported Ronaldinho in that match, he soon emerged as Barcelona’s standout player in the following season and shone on the biggest stage.
El Clásico represents more than just a football game; it’s an ongoing battle for supremacy with historical and political undertones. It features teams that showcase the finest talents in football.
On March 10, 2007, Real Madrid faced Barcelona knowing they couldn’t afford to lose. Starting the match in fourth place, they calmed their nerves with an early goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy in the fifth minute.
However, their lead was short-lived. Just six minutes later, Messi equalized by calmly finishing a pass from Samuel Eto’o, marking his first goal in El Clásico at just 19 years old.
Barcelona’s joy was fleeting as a penalty awarded to Madrid put them back in front. Van Nistelrooy scored again, extending his La Liga goals tally for the season.
Messi quickly became more involved in the game, igniting fears in the Madrid defense with his attacking runs. Soon, he netted his second goal, smashing a rebound from Ronaldinho’s shot into the roof of the net.
Before halftime, Barcelona was reduced to ten men after Oleguer received a second yellow card for a foul, swinging momentum back to Madrid.
As the first half ended, the intense clash left fans on both sides breathless. The two rival teams were poised for another thrilling 45 minutes.
The second half saw Real Madrid pushing for a decisive goal, with Van Nistelrooy repeatedly denied by Valdes. Eventually, 17 minutes from the end, Madrid took the lead again with a goal from Sergio Ramos.
However, this match belonged to one player—the man in Barcelona’s blue and red jersey who was about to establish himself as a global star.
As stoppage time approached, Messi secured his hat-trick. After receiving a pass from Ronaldinho, he skillfully maneuvered around the Madrid defense and struck decisively past Casillas, ensuring a draw for Barcelona.
???? 10 March 2007: ???? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ????????????????????????????????????????#OnThisDay Messi scored his first #LaLiga hat-trick in #ElClasico! ???????? pic.twitter.com/XRIyWga3r8
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 11, 2020
Reactions exploded inside Camp Nou as the crowd celebrated Messi’s emergence as not just a promising player but a current superstar capable of influencing the biggest matches.
For those who witnessed it, this performance felt unique. However, it was just the beginning for Messi, a player who made the extraordinary seem ordinary.
Read Also – Iconic Performances: When R9 destroyed Man United and got clapped off at Old Trafford
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