Messi's five best goals according to AI with solo Real Madrid effort second

02 December 2023 , 07:15

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Lionel Messi's effort against Nigeria in 2018 has been ranked as his best goal for Argentina (Image: GETTY)

Lionel Messi's best goals - one thing's for sure, you're not short of efforts to choose from.

The Argentine announced himself to the football world in the mid-2000s and just years later was winning Ballons d'Or en route to becoming, in the eyes of many, the greatest footballer ever. He's the most prolific player to play for Barcelona and Argentina.

Now he's enjoying his twilight years in Florida with Inter Miami, where he's already showing he's more than capable late into his 30s. Less than a year ago he delivered Argentina the World Cup as he shattered more records. His game has always been about so much more than just goals, yet he's managed to score more than 800 times for clubs and country.

The artificial intelligence at ChatGPT has gone through the archives to rank what they believe to be Messi's best strikes throughout an illustrious career that has seen him tear through defences.

5. Argentina vs. Nigeria - 2018 FIFA World Cup

It was do or die for the Argentines, who had underwhelmed for much of the tournament. Messi knew his country needed a win to progress and took on the responsibility with a sensational opener en route to a 2-1 win.

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The forward raced onto a lofted ball and his first two touches - the first to get it under control and the second to send him clear of the defender were sublime. It put him on his weaker right foot, but Messi still hammered it into the top corner before reeling away.

4. Barcelona vs Bayern Munich - 2015 Champions League semi-final

It remains one of his iconic moments. Going up against his former mentor, Pep Guardiola, Messi more than stepped up. He'd made it 1-0 with a long-range effort at the Nou Camp before he later received the ball on the right. Jerome Boateng came up to oppose him.

Lionel Messi leaving Jerome Boateng on his backside remains an iconic image (GETTY)

Messi moved the ball left and then right, showcasing his excellent dribbling, which saw the German defender simply fall backwards and hit the deck as Messi bamboozled him. The forward then lifted the ball over an on-rushing Manuel Neuer, again with his weaker foot.

3. Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao - 2015 Copa del Rey

Yet another case of Messi evading defenders, simply at will. This time against Athletic Bilbao en route to more silverware. He picked up the ball just inside the opposition half but ran past three players who attempted to halt his progression. He raced into the box and cut inside a fourth defender, putting him on his favoured left foot, before firing past the goalkeeper.

2. Real Madrid vs Barcelona - 2011 Champions League semi-final

This was another case of Messi stepping up in a big game. Cometh the hour, cometh the man as they say. It was a heated contest in the first leg at the Bernabeu as Guardiola and Jose Mourinho squared off. Messi had opened the scoring for Guardiola's side, tapping home at the near post from a cross.

The Argentine was the difference in the 2011 Champions League semi-final (Getty)

His second goal though left many fans stunned. He picked up the ball from Sergio Busquets just past the halfway and accelerated at his opposition, evading four players before showing the composure to finish past Iker Casillas. "He has a classic in the Clasico," screamed one commentator.

1. Barcelona vs Getafe - 2007 Copa del Rey

It was the strike that made the world stand up. The resemblance to Diego Maradona's iconic goal against England in 1986 was incredible. Like his compatriot Messi received the ball on the right before embarking on a mazy run.

Lionel Messi raced through the Getafe defence to score, arguably, his most historic goal (AFP via Getty Images)

Messi started in his own half before quickly skipping past two Getafe players before stepping on the gas. He dribbled past two more defenders before facing up to the goalkeeper, rounding him to slot into an empty net. Barcelona fans have since declared it the greatest goal in the club's history.

Samuel Meade