His exceptional record shows that Lionel Messi is the king of finals

His exceptional record shows that Lionel Messi is the king of finals

Lionel Messi is not the best footballer in the world on a whim. Ignoring his amazing performances, personal goal records and collection of medals, the Argentina international can make the difference in the moment of truth. Messi has played 17 finals in a Barcelona shirt and only in five has he not been a direct protagonist. In these games the Argentine didn't score, and in three Barcelona lost. Two were against Real Madrid, in Copa del Rey finals. The third was against Sevilla, in their first European Supercup final. The two finals in which Barcelona came out on top without Messi scoring were in the Spanish Supercup, against Espanyol, and in the same tournament, against Atletico Madrid.

In total, Messi has 18 goals and four assists in finals, an impressive number. The more important the competition, the brighter Messi shines. He has scored in the two Champions League finals he has played in, against Manchester United both times, and in two Club World Cup finals. Particularly memorable was his goal against Estudiantes de la Plata, to earn the first Club World Cup title for Barcelona and coax tears from Pep Guardiola after his side won their sixth trophy of the year.

During a series of clashes against Real Madrid, Messi was key in the Spanish Super Cup, which ended with Jose Mourinho poking the late Tito Vilanova in the eye. This double headed game was filled with tension, and was resolved by a goal from the Argentine, with one in the 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu and then with a double at the Camp Nou. He added two assists.