King of the finals
Roger Bogunyà
12-19-2011 12:02
Leo Messi always steps up to the plate for the big games and he has scored in nine of the eleven finals of the Guardiola era, scoring a total of 15 times
Spanish Cup 08/09 (1 goal): With the scores at 1-1, Messi popped up to turn things rounds as the team went on to win 4-1 in Guardiola's first final and take the first title of the famous treble.
Champions League 08/09 (1 goal): A beautifully placed header added to Samuel Eto'o's opener to give Barça their third title of the season in beating Manchester United in Rome.
Spanish Super Cup 09/10 (2 goals): Having beaten Bilbao 1-2 in the Basque Country, FC Barcelona finished off the tie with a 3-0 win at the Camp Nou, with Messi getting the second and third goals to send them on the way to their fourth title of the year.
European Super Cup 09/10: Although Leo failed to score in Monaco against Shaktar – the first final with Guardiola he failed to get on the score sheet in, he did set up Pedro's winner with a lovely pass.
Club World Cup 09/10 (1 goal): One of his most symbolic goals – scored with his chest – gave Barça the first World title of their history and his extra time winning goal in the 2-1 result gave the team their sixth title of the year.
Spanish Super Cup 10/11 (3 goals): A Camp Nou hat trick saw Barça come back from the 3-1 defeat in the first leg, to beat Seville 4-0 and take the title again.
Spanish Cup 10/11: Only the second final in which Messi failed to score and also the only defeat in a final with Guardiola as Real Madrid took the title 0-1.
Champions League 10/11 (1 goal): A rasping shot from outside the box took Van der Saar by surprise and put the icing on the cake of Barça's 3-1 win over Manchester United at Wembley, the second Champions League final he'd scored at.
Spanish Super Cup 11/12 (3 goals): With hardly any chance for pre-season training, Messi scored three goals in the two legged Spanish Super Cup final: one in the 2-2 draw in Madrid and two more in the 3-2 win at the Camp Nou.
European Super Cup 11/12 (1 goal): Leo Messi took advantage of a mistake in the Porto defence to open the scoring in the 2-0 win which brought Guardiola his second European Super Cup.
Club World Cup 11/12 (2 goals): Two brilliant Messi strikes gave Guardiola his second World title on Sunday and his 13th title since taking charge.