Lionel Messi delivered his own symphony at the Camp Nou scoring twice and set up two more as Barcelona beat Lyon 5-1 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Argentine now has 108 goals in the Champions League, behind Ronaldo’s imperious 124, but his latest double takes his team one step closer to the trophy they crave the most.
While Messi broke new ground with his two assists and two goals, it was his magical scoring touch that mesmerised fans once again – the solo run, the destruction of defenders, the sublime finish. He sealed it with a ‘Paneka’ penalty kick which was the perfect end to a night dominated by the Barcelona No 10.
As always, the football community on Twitter was left in awe of the 31-year-old’s skills with the ball, both as she scored and set up goals for his team.
2 goals 2 assists for Messi. Ridiculous. 👏👏
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2019
I can watch Messi’s ‘panenka’ penalty over and over again, so satisfying! 😍 #UCL #BARLYO
— Nirene Guigá (@NireneGuiga) March 14, 2019
pic.twitter.com/URvHGKyLzJ
#messi G.O.A.T #barcelona .
— Willie jnr (@AfolakeWilliams) March 14, 2019
Leo rendered Lyon defenders defenseless 🤣🤣🤣🤣 what a goal pic.twitter.com/pFXKO8WXWT
In numbers
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi this season:
— SPORF (@Sporf) March 13, 2019
⚽ Most goals in @LaLiga.
⚽ Joint-most goals in @ChampionsLeague.
🎯 Most assists in @LaLiga.
🎯 Most assists in Europe's top 5 leagues.
🇪🇺 Most goals in Europe's top 5 leagues.
🤷♂ “5th Best Player in the World.” pic.twitter.com/SvgRzJkTSj
Goals + Assists across all competitions so far this season:
— La Senyera (@LaSenyera) March 13, 2019
🇦🇷Lionel Messi - 57
🇵🇹Cristiano Ronaldo - 36
🇬🇧Raheem Sterling - 35
🇫🇷Karim Benzema - 30
🇪🇬Mohammed Salah - 28
🇫🇷Antoine Griezmann - 26
Mind the gap. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/AOO0InJRfu
Lionel Messi’s Panenka penalty puts him top of the list 👀 pic.twitter.com/6ubMaTaNLP
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 14, 2019
Lionel Messi is the first player in this season's #UCL to provide two goals and two assists in a single game.
— Football Fans Tribe 🇳🇬 ⚽ (@FansTribeHQ) March 14, 2019
His name up in lights again. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/z04d09L14c
Lionel Messi's game by numbers vs. Lyon:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 13, 2019
7 shots (most)
5 shots on target (most)
3 chances created
3 take-ons
2 fouls won
2 assists
2 goals
Lyonel Messi. 😉 pic.twitter.com/P23AKC6d4v
A Barca legend
Lionel Messi passes Andres Iniesta for Champions League appearances 👏 pic.twitter.com/eytPFk0lXB
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 13, 2019
Another #Messi milestone? (nodding, mouth open) 😮
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 13, 2019
pic.twitter.com/QCDL7jG0V5
Lionel Messi has scored 35+ goals in his last 11 Barcelona seasons.
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 13, 2019
18/19: 35 goals so far
17/18: 45 goals
16/17: 54 goals
15/16: 41 goals
14/15: 58 goals
13/14: 41 goals
12/13: 60 goals
11/12: 73 goals
10/11: 53 goals
09/10: 47 goals
08/09: 38 goals
🐐
Via @OptaJose pic.twitter.com/DSB5UFLOAy
The lighter side of genius
Those defenders have families, Messi 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/sBPwXtm4zl
— True Soccer Life ⚽️ (@TrueSccrLife) March 13, 2019
** During the game:
— IRUNNIA. (@Irunnia2) March 13, 2019
PIQUE: Messi, we 've known each other for a while please I need a goal. Help me.
MESSI: No problems, fam.
(Messi Assists)
MESSI: Anyone else wants to score?
DEMBELE: I 'd like a goal Leo.
MESSI: Sure bro.
(Messi assists)
👑👑GOAT👑👑#BarcaOL pic.twitter.com/0iqRxmpfxD
Messi is no more a GOAT, he's the entire animal KINGDOM.👑 #messi pic.twitter.com/ILnsF0aNts
— OFFICIAL FC OF MSD™ (@sir_msdhoni7) March 14, 2019
Messi 🐐 pic.twitter.com/SyzPNanYcx
— Nik (@Nikgaturro) March 13, 2019
And this very important point
Ronaldo last night: Three goals.
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) March 13, 2019
Messi tonight: Two goals & two assists.
The Earth is 4.5 billion years old and we're lucky enough to be alive to watch Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play football.
⚽️🙌 pic.twitter.com/IYF9dGioES