How many UCL has Messi won? Numbers that surprise fans
Lionel Messi is one of the best players in football history, leaving a deep impression on fans thanks to his natural talent and incredible achievements on the field. In his illustrious career, he not only left his mark with beautiful goals but also contributed greatly to winning noble titles with the clubs he played for. One of them is the most prestigious tournament in Europe – UEFA Champions League (UCL). So how many UCL has Messi won? What glorious moments have been associated with his name? Let’s take a look back at “El Pulga’s” journey to conquer the top of Europe with kingsoccertips.com.
How many UCL has Messi won?
How many times has Messi won the ULC? Lionel Messi, one of the greatest players in football history, has won 4 UEFA Champions League (UCL) titles in his brilliant career. These victories not only made him a legend but also helped Barcelona establish a golden era in European competition. Here are the details of each time Messi won the Champions League:
1. 2005 – 06 season
- Coach: Frank Rijkaard
- Final: Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal
- Venue: Stade de France, Paris (17/5/2006)
Messi’s contribution: This was the season when Messi began to make a name for himself in the Barcelona first team, but he did not play in the final due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the round of 16. However, Messi did play in the group stage, where he scored his first Champions League goal against Panathinaikos. This was Messi’s first title in his career, as Barcelona came from behind to beat Arsenal thanks to goals from Samuel Eto’o and Juliano Belletti.
2. 2008 – 09 season
- Coach: Pep Guardiola
- Final: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
- Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome (27/5/2009)
Messi’s contribution: This was the first time Messi became the brightest star in a Champions League campaign. He scored 9 goals, including the decisive goal in the final. Messi’s spectacular header in the 70th minute sealed a 2-0 victory for Barcelona against Manchester United, the team that owned Cristiano Ronaldo. This season, Messi not only won the Champions League but also won the first Ballon d’Or of his career.
3. 2010 – 11 season
- Coach: Pep Guardiola
- Final: Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London (28/5/2011)
Messi’s contribution: This season, Messi continued to be the locomotive in Barcelona’s journey to conquer the Champions League. He scored 12 goals, becoming the tournament’s top scorer. In the final, Messi scored a classy long-range shot past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, helping Barcelona to a convincing victory over Manchester United. This is considered one of the greatest Barcelona teams in history, with tiki-taka at its peak.
4. 2014 – 15 season
- Coach: Luis Enrique
- Final: Barcelona 3-1 Juventus
- Venue: Olympiastadion, Berlin (6/6/2015)
Messi’s contribution: This season, Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez formed the legendary “MSN” attacking trio. He scored 10 goals in the campaign, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in the scoring charts. Messi did not score in the final, but played an important role in the attacks that led to his team’s goals. With this victory, Barcelona completed the treble (La Liga, King’s Cup, Champions League), and this is the second time Messi has achieved this feat.
Some other achievements of Messi in the UCL arena
How many times has Messi won UCL? Lionel Messi has not only won 4 UEFA Champions League (UCL) titles, but also set a series of incredible records and achievements in the history of the tournament. Accordingly, he is one of the greatest scorers in the history of the Champions League with 132 goals (as of November 2024). He achieved this number in just 161 matches, achieving an impressive scoring efficiency of 0.82 goals/match. Notably, Messi is the first player to score 5 goals in a match in the tournament, when Barcelona destroyed Bayer Leverkusen 7-1 in the round of 16 of the 2011-12 season. This achievement proves Messi’s extraordinary scoring ability in the biggest playground in Europe.
Messi has been named the Champions League’s top scorer six times, including in the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2014-15 and 2018-19 seasons. His peak was in the 2011-12 season, when he scored 14 goals, setting a record for the most goals scored in a season at the time. Although this record has since been broken, Messi remains a symbol of consistency and explosiveness in European campaigns.
Messi has scored against 41 different teams in the Champions League, a record shared with Cristiano Ronaldo. Not only that, he is the youngest player to reach 100 goals in the Champions League, achieving it in March 2018 in a 3-0 win over Chelsea. This confirms Messi’s ability to score against all opponents, regardless of whether they are big or small teams.
Messi has always shone in big matches, especially in finals. He scored in two Champions League finals (2009 and 2011), both against Manchester United. The most memorable was his header against Edwin van der Sar in the 2009 final, helping Barcelona win 2-0. His performances against Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Real Madrid also left a deep impression.
In Barcelona’s colors, Messi is not only the player who scored the most goals in the Champions League for a single club (120 goals) but also contributed greatly to the team’s 38-match unbeaten home run in the UCL from 2013 to 2020. He also scored 8 hat-tricks in the tournament, sharing this record with Cristiano Ronaldo. These achievements not only affirm Messi’s individual talent but also highlight his irreplaceable role in Barcelona’s glorious history.
The Importance of the Champions League in Messi Career
The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club competition, where the strongest teams in Europe gather. This is a harsh playground, requiring players to demonstrate their highest abilities. For Lionel Messi, the Champions League is where he proves his outstanding talent through impressive performances, such as his solo goal against Real Madrid in 2011 or his classy header in the 2009 final against Manchester United.
How many times has Messi won the UCL? Messi has won the Champions League 4 times (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015), making an important contribution to Barcelona’s success. He also achieved many personal records, such as winning the Golden Boot 6 times and scoring in 16 consecutive seasons. These achievements not only solidify Messi’s position in football history but also highlight his stability and excellence in this tournament.
Messi’s performances in the Champions League have made him a global icon. He has been instrumental in decisive victories and has been instrumental in creating historic moments, such as his stunning strike against Bayern Munich in 2015. His Champions League achievements have also been instrumental in Messi’s Ballon d’Or wins, cementing him as one of the greatest players of all time.
The UEFA Champions League has not only brought him trophies, but it has also been where he has built his legacy. With his ability to score goals and make a big impact in big games, Messi has created a legacy that will last a lifetime. Although he no longer plays in Europe, his achievements in the Champions League remain an indelible mark on his great career.
Summary
Above, we have helped you know how many UCL has Messi won? With top performances throughout his career, Lionel Messi has left a deep mark in the history of football and the UEFA Champions League. He has not only affirmed his position as one of the greatest players of all time but also inspired millions of fans around the world. Messi’s victories in this prestigious tournament are a testament to his extraordinary talent, tireless dedication and ability to create miracles on the pitch. The legacy that Messi leaves behind is not only limited to titles, but also a symbol of greatness, an immortal monument in the hearts of football fans!