SUMMARY
- Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players and has scored hundreds of goals in his career.
- He has scored some unique goals using his body parts.
When we talk about Lionel Messi, there’s nothing much left to say. One of the greatest players of all time, if not the best, Messi has won everything there is to win in soccer. Moreover, Messi is not only one of the most prolific goal scorers of all time but also one of the leading assist providers in soccer history. However, among the hundreds of goals scored by him, some unique goals stand out.
Currently, Lionel Messi has scored 826 goals and provided 363 assists in 1052 career appearances. Throughout his career, Messi has mostly relied on his trusted left foot. The Argentine has scored 690 goals in his career with his left foot. Messi is a little less dependent on his right foot, scoring only 105 goals with it. However, who could blame him for only using his left good when it’s one of the best in the business (via MessivsRonaldo.app).
This is Messi’s 826th goal of career. 1 goal, 1 assist under 30 minutes in first half. Messi is the greatest of all time.
🎥 Via @FOXSoccer
pic.twitter.com/Z81jYhiiVC— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) March 14, 2024
Owing to his diminutive stature, Messi has also comparatively scored only a few headers. The 2022 World Cup winner has scored just 27 goals with his head. However, there are a few unconventional goals that Messi has scored where he has not used either his left foot, right foot, or header. Let’s take a look at some of those unique goals scored by the Inter Miami star.
Lionel Messi replicated Diego Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ goal
Back in the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona’s Argentina won a rather controversial semifinal tie against England. In a match that ended 2-1 for the Argentines, Maradona scored both goals. Both of Maradona’s goals are two of the most iconic goals in soccer history- the first one being one of the most controversial goals ever, and the second one being labeled as the ‘goal of the century’.
In the 51st minute, a miskick by English midfielder Steve Hodge sent the ball towards his goalkeeper, with Maradona waiting to pounce. Despite leaping into the air, Maradona realized that he couldn’t head the ball and therefore knocked the ball into the net using his hand. Despite the vehement protests from the English players, the match official allowed the goal, much to the delight of the Argentines.
After the match, Maradona described his goal as “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” Messi, who’s rightly considered to be the heir to Maradona’s throne in Argentine soccer, recreated the ‘hand of God’ goal in the 2007-08 season. Messi’s FC Barcelona faced their bitter local rivals, Espanyol. With Espanyol leading 1-0, FC Barcelona was desperate to score a goal.
16 years ago, Lionel Messi scored a goal with hand against Espanyol
.
.
Data Protection Bill Efcc Chairman Malami Awake Mr Peter obi hilda baci Congratulations Nigeria Naira Federal University #occupyinecnow
Ambode ifeanyi MUFC NYSC Kano Ifeanyi chef Dammy supreme court pic.twitter.com/17l39AgUXU— Chutex Tv 📺 (@chutex_tv) June 14, 2023
Former FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez crossed the ball into the box, which was deflected by an Espanyol defender, and it fell in front of Messi. The Argentine tried to head the ball into the net and successfully equalized for FC Barcelona. However, replays later showed that Messi had used his hand to guide the ball into the net, much like Maradona did 21 years ago before going on to win the World Cup for Argentina.
Lionel Messi’s goals with his chest
A few years ago, Brazilian soccer legend Pele later criticized Lionel Messi for using only one skill. Pele stated that Messi uses only his left foot to score goals and doesn’t rely on his right foot or his head. However, the former FC Barcelona skipper has managed to prove Pele wrong. Not only has he scored with his left foot, right foot, head, and hand, but he has also managed to score with his chest.
Back in 2009, FC Barcelona faced the Argentine club Estudiantes in the FIFA Club World Cup final. In the 37th minute, Estudiantes took a 1-0 lead against FC Barcelona, who had won everything that season and were favorites to win the Club World Cup. FC Barcelona’s hopes of winning a sixth title were all but over when Pedro scored the equalizer in the 89th minute.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#OnThisDay in 2009, @FCBarcelona lifted their sixth trophy for that calendar year
Lionel Messi’s extra-time goal against Estudiantes clinched the #ClubWC – Barça’s first global title #ClubWC | #TBT pic.twitter.com/YG56XvEyzq
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 19, 2019
As the match went into extra time, Lionel Messi rose to the occasion. In the fifth minute of the second half of extra time, a whipped cross from ex-FC Barcelona right-back Dani Alves found Messi one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, instead of heading or kicking the ball, guided the ball into the net with his chest.
🚨🎥 | Leo Messi goal against Orlando City 😂🔥
Cool as you like 🐐 pic.twitter.com/iEFPxgEBs8
— PSG Chief (@psg_chief) March 2, 2024
Besides the goal against Estudiantes, Messi also scored very recently with his chest earlier this month. Messi’s Inter Miami faced Orlando City in the MLS. In the match, Messi scored his first with his chest in what was a rather comical goal. Nevertheless, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi’s brace, along with Robert Taylor’s solitary goal, gave Inter Miami a comfortable 5-0 win.
