9781422270745

TERRIFIC TRIFECTA Lionel Messi has a penchant for delivering big goals in big matches, and he netted a bundle of them during a magical march into history during the 2008–2009 campaign. Messi led Barcelona to titles in the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and La Liga, making it the first Spanish team to win all three in the same season. The fantastic feat began with Barcelona’s 4–1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the finals of the Copa del Rey, where Messi accounted for one of the club’s goals. Next, they grabbed the La Liga crown, where Messi was dynamic and dominant, netting 23 goals in 31 matches. And, showcasing his remarkable ability to score in all sorts of ways, the superstar headed in a clutch goal during Barcelona’s 2–0 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League final at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. It was his ninth tally in the Champions League that season to punctuate a history-making run of excellence.

Lionel Messi delivered a rare header goal to help Barcelona beat Manchester United 2–0 in the 2009 Champions League final.

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World Class Footballers: Lionel Messi