Temas: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Argentina, La Liga
With the Barcelona legend turning 30 today, we take a look at unforgettable moments from his unforgettable career.

Today one of the greatest footballers of all time turns 30. Saturday June 24 marks the birthday of Lionel Messi, the Barcelona and Argentina legend who continues to break records and dazzle fans.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has enjoyed an illustrious career, winning silverware and earning individual accolades year in year out. On this special occasion, we take a look at the 30 most memorable moments from his dream career.

This list is not a ranking of least important to most, thus number 20, for example, could be as significant – or even more – than number one. And with that, we present 30 moments that Messi fans will cherish forever.

1. His senior Barca debut

Lionel Messi, Deco, Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona, La Liga

2. His five-goal haul vs Bayer Leverkusen

Lionel Messi, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona, Champions League

3. Breaking Raul’s Champions League goalscoring record

Lionel Messi, Pedro, APOEL, Barcelona, UEFA Champions League

4. Becoming La Liga’s all-time top scorer

Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga

5. Becoming Barca’s all-time top scorer

6. His first hat-trick – in El Clasico

Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, Barcelona, La Liga

7. Nearly ending Boateng’s career

Messi, Boateng, Barca, Bayern, Champions League

8. His Argentina debut

Lionel Messi, Argentina, Hungary

9. Winning gold in the Olympics with La Albiceleste

Lionel Messi, Olympics, Argentina, Nigeria

10. His hat-trick vs Brazil at the MetLife

Messi, Argentina, Brazil, Hat trick

11. Winning four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards

Messi, Barcelona, Ballon d'Or

12. Surpassing Di Stefano as El Clasico’s record goalscorer

Messi, Di Stefano, El Clasico, Real Madrid, Barcelona, La Liga

13. Leo's very own "Hand of God"

Messi, Maradona, Hand of God, La Liga

14. That Maradona-eque goal vs Getafe

Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Getafe, Copa del Rey

15. His 92nd-minute winner vs Real Madrid in El Clasico

Messi, Real Madrid, Barcelona, El Clasico, La Liga

16. That iconic celebration

Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, Barcelona, La Liga

17. Netting his 91st goal of 2012 – a record

18. That Champions League final header vs Man United

Messi, Van der Saar, Ferdinand, Barca, Man United, Champions League

19. Those two goals vs Los Blancos in the Champions League semi-final

20. Winning the sextuple under Guardiola

Lionel Messi, Pique, Pinto, Sextuple, Barca

21. His second treble in 2015

22. Winning the u-20 World Cup in 2005

Lionel Messi, Under-20 World Cup

23. Being named Argentina captain

24. It may sound shocking, but Messi won his first Player of the Month award in La Liga in January 2016

Lionel Messi, Player of the Month, Barca, La Liga

25. Scoring on his return from international retirement

26. His first Spanish Primera Division goal

Lionel Messi, Albacete, Barcelona, La Liga

27. His first World Cup goal in 2006

28. Earning the no. 10 shirt from Ronaldinho

Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Barcelona, La Liga

29. Ending his Petr Cech goal hoodoo

30. Surpassing Batistuta to become Argentina’s all-time record scorer

Lionel Messi, Argentina, USA, Copa America Centenario