Lionel Messi has scored 860 goals across his career, but his favourite goal did not come from his famed left foot but from his head, against Manchester United in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final.
The iconic goal, one of the rare times that Messi scored with a header, secured the treble for FC Barcelona, lifting both him and manager Pep Guardiola to legendary status in Catalonia.
The header came in the 70th minute of the match between Barca and Man United, where Messi, standing 5-foot-7, jumped nearly nine feet in the air to connect with Xavi’s cross to poke it past a stunned Edwin van der Sar.
It was Messi’s first goal against any English club, and secured a 2-0 win for Barcelona, ultimately becoming their first treble-winning season.
The Goal of Rome. A masterpiece from an unparalleled career by Leo Messi. Now, @refikanadol will turn it into one of the most iconic pieces in the history of art. All to support the IMCF Foundation and its charitable causes.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 22, 2025
El Gol de Roma. Una obra maestra de una carrera… pic.twitter.com/uRJxB3YRUh
Now, the Argentine has selected this goal as his all-time favourite one from his career. “I’ve scored many goals that might have been even more beautiful and valuable, also because of their importance, but the header in the Champions League final against Manchester United has always been my favourite,” Messi said.
As a result, this goal has been selected to be turned into a piece of artwork by Turkish digital artist Refik Anadol and auctioned by Christie’s to support charitable causes through Inter Miami CF Foundation’s partnership with UNICEF.
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This is a part of the “A Goal in Life” initiative by Christie’s, set to be unveiled online on 11 June. It will be exhibited at Christie’s New York from 15 to 21 July. “It’s going to be exciting to see how he (artist Anadol) can transform a goal – a moment in sports – into a unique piece of art, like the ones he creates,” Messi said.
Messi can add to his goal tally this weekend, as Inter Miami are set to face Philadelphia Union in MLS 2025. The Herons won in the reverse fixture and will look to recreate that to get back to winning ways in the league.
