Lionel Messi: Best Hat-Tricks of His Career
By Dani Garcia
April 6th 2010.
After a 2-2 score in London, Bendtner scared Nou Camp with an early goal. Arsenal was in semi-finals for three minutes. Then Messi’s brilliance was the perfect antidote.
Four fabulous goals from the Argentinian master, including a impressive first-half hat-trick, gave Barcelona the qualification for UCL semifinals for the third year running. Barcelona underlined their status as European champions by sweeping past Arsenal FC to advance to a semi-final against FC Internazionale, where they afterwards lost.
2009 marked the beginning of Guardiola’s era. Barcelona won every tittle. In UCL final against Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson’s learned why you can’t leave Messi unmarked in the box when the ball’s in the air despite his height. Messi scored a fantastic header placing the ball in an impossible angle beyond 6ft 5½in goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to complete the 2-0 victory.
He also scored in the other Guardiola’s Champion League title, in 2011 against Manchester United again. Barcelona regained a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute when Messi received the ball outside the box and fired home from 20 yards out. Guardiola’s team won 3 to 1.
Messi has 500 goals and assists combined for Barcelona in all matches, including friendlies.
Next: All-time La Liga top goal-scorer