On April 23, 2017, Lionel Messi delivered one of the most unforgettable moments in football history. In the dying seconds of El Clásico, with the match tied 2-2, Messi scored a stunning last-minute winner that not only sealed victory for Barcelona but also left the entire football world in awe. This goal, coupled with his now-iconic celebration of lifting his jersey in front of the stunned Real Madrid fans, is forever etched in the annals of football history. Let’s revisit the details of that remarkable match and understand the lasting significance of that goal in Messi’s legendary career.
1. The Match: El Clásico at the Bernabéu
El Clásico is always one of the most anticipated matches of the football calendar, but the stakes were even higher on this occasion. Real Madrid and Barcelona were neck and neck in the race for the La Liga title. The Santiago Bernabéu was packed with tens of thousands of Madrid fans, and the atmosphere was electric.
The match itself was a back-and-forth affair. Real Madrid opened the scoring with a goal from Casemiro, but Messi responded with a brilliant solo goal, gliding past defenders to equalize. Ivan Rakitić later put Barcelona ahead with a stunning strike, only for James Rodríguez to level the score at 2-2 in the 85th minute.
With just seconds left in stoppage time, it seemed as though the match would end in a draw. But Messi, as he so often does, had other plans.
2. The Goal: Messi’s Last-Minute Winner
In the 92nd minute, Barcelona mounted one last attack. After a series of passes, Jordi Alba cut the ball back to Messi, who had positioned himself at the edge of the box. With remarkable composure, Messi placed a low shot past Keylor Navas and into the back of the net. The goal not only secured a 3-2 victory for Barcelona but also marked Messi’s 500th goal for the club.
What made this goal truly iconic was not just its timing but also the context. Scoring a last-minute winner in El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu, in front of the hostile Real Madrid crowd, made the moment all the more special.
3. The Celebration: The Shirt Lift
Immediately after scoring, Messi sprinted toward the corner of the Bernabéu, where the Real Madrid fans were seated. He took off his shirt, lifted it up, and held it aloft for the crowd to see, as if to say, “This is who I am.”
The image of Messi holding his jersey up in front of the stunned Madrid fans became an instant symbol of his greatness. It was a celebration that perfectly captured the magnitude of the moment and Messi’s impact on the biggest stages.
4. The Importance of the Goal in Messi’s Career
This goal was significant for several reasons:
- 500th Goal for Barcelona: Messi’s last-minute strike was his 500th goal for Barcelona, a milestone that cemented his place as the club’s greatest-ever player.
- Impact on the Title Race: Barcelona’s win kept their title hopes alive in La Liga. Although Real Madrid eventually won the league that season, this victory was crucial in maintaining the pressure on their rivals.
- Legacy in El Clásico: Messi’s performances in El Clásico are the stuff of legend, and this goal was arguably his most iconic moment in the historic rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. It further solidified Messi’s status as the all-time top scorer in El Clásico, a record he continues to hold.
5. Global Reactions: A Goal That Reverberated Around the World
The football world immediately reacted to Messi’s last-minute heroics. Social media exploded with praise for the Argentine maestro, with fans and pundits alike calling the goal one of the greatest moments in El Clásico history.
- Players and Coaches: Many players, both past and present, lauded Messi’s performance. His ability to perform at the highest level in the most pressure-packed moments drew admiration from across the football community.
- Fans: Barcelona fans celebrated Messi’s brilliance, while even some Real Madrid supporters had to acknowledge the sheer class of his performance. The image of Messi holding his shirt aloft became a symbol of his dominance, and it was shared and reposted millions of times across the globe.
- Legacy: This goal became an iconic moment in football history, one that would be replayed in highlight reels for years to come. It was a defining moment not just for Messi, but for El Clásico as a whole, adding another chapter to the legendary rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Conclusion: A Goal That Defined Greatness
Messi’s last-minute winner against Real Madrid in April 2017 will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic moments in football. It was a goal that not only secured victory for Barcelona but also symbolized Messi’s greatness on the biggest stages. His ability to deliver in crucial moments, combined with his now-legendary celebration, made this goal one of the defining moments of his career. As Messi lifted his shirt to the Bernabéu crowd, he wasn’t just celebrating a goal—he was cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of football.