The UEFA Champions League, previously called the European Cup, has witnessed numerous football legends over its long and storied history. And arguably Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players to ever play in the tournament. The Argentine icon has firmly established his legacy in European football by guiding Barcelona to several titles, leaving unforgettable memories for both Blaugrana supporters and football fans worldwide. The Rosario-born genius has consistently been the focus of attention whenever he steps onto the pitch on Champions League nights, yet many have questioned how often he has truly claimed the ultimate prize by lifting the trophy. Here, Wintips takes a look at Messi’s record in the competition.
Lionel Messi's UEFA Champions League titles total
Lionel Messi has claimed the UEFA Champions League title on four occasions. His 2006 victory sparked discussion, as Messi did not feature in the final, yet he was still a key member of the Barcelona squad that season, scoring one goal and contributing two assists in six games.
In which years and with which team did Lionel Messi secure the Champions League title?
Lionel Messi has secured all four of his UEFA Champions League titles with FC Barcelona. His first triumph came in 2006 at the age of 18, although he was not part of the squad for the final. He was a key player in Barcelona’s victories in 2009, 2011, and 2015, playing as a starter in each of those campaigns.
- 2006 | FC Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal (18 years old – did not feature in the squad).
2009 | FC Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United (21 years old – played as a starter).
2011 | FC Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United (23 years old – starting lineup).
2015 | FC Barcelona 3-1 Juventus (27 years old – part of the starting XI).
What were the key moments in Lionel Messi's Champions League triumph?
Messi started making his mark in Champions League history on November 2, 2005, when he scored his debut goal in the competition during a 5-0 group stage victory over Panathinaikos. However, his most significant contribution to Barcelona’s success that season came on February 22, 2006, when he scored in a 2-1 away win against Chelsea in the first leg of the Round of 16.
Three years after that, wearing the No. 10 on his back, Messi, a regular starter, played a key role in Barcelona's run to the title. With two goals and two assists against Bayern in the first leg of the quarter-finals, Messi played a pivotal role in securing a 4-0 victory. He then assisted Andres Iniesta for a vital late goal in the second leg of the semi-finals against Chelsea. Messi's most important moment of that season, however, came in the final, when he headed home a goal to help Barca beat Manchester United.
In the 2010-11 season, Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer in the Champions League when he scored in the group stage win over Panathinaikos on 14 September 2010. The standout moment of that campaign came in the first leg of the semi-final, when Messi scored twice against fierce rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Leo also stepped up in the final at Wembley, scoring in Barcelona's 3-1 win over Manchester United.
In the 2014-15 season, the Argentine forward once more led the Cules to glory, delivering an exceptional performance in the first leg of the semi-final against Bayern, where he scored twice, including a strike that was later honored as UEFA's Goal of the Season.
How does Lionel Messi's Champions League record compare to other players?
While Messi's four Champions League titles are impressive, the tournament has seen many other players win the trophy more times. Not to mention if we only count overall victories, as Messi has played in three finals.
But let's take Messi's four wins into account. During the European Cup era, Messi trails Real Madrid legend Francisco Gento by two titles, with Gento being the first to win the prestigious trophy six times. Additionally, Messi ranks behind Cristiano Ronaldo in overall Champions League triumphs.
Ronaldo, who is often compared to Messi, has one more Champions League title than Leo, with the Portuguese star winning the award once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid.
Other players with most European Cup/Champions League titles (all time)
- 6 Francisco Gento (Real Madrid)
- 5 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
- 5 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
- 5 Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)
- 5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid)
- 5 Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)
- 5 Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid)
- 5 José María Zárraga (Real Madrid)
- 4 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Conclude
Lionel Messi has won the UEFA Champions League four times, all with FC Barcelona. His first triumph came in 2006, although he did not play in the final. He was a key player in Barcelona's victories in 2009, 2011, and 2015, showcasing his skill in crucial moments, such as his goals and assists in knockout rounds. While Messi's four Champions League titles are impressive, he is behind other football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, who has five. Despite this, Messi's contributions to Barcelona's success in Europe cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the competition’s history.
See more: How many trophies does Messi have? His achievements revealed
