2007/2008

The 2007/2008 season proved to be a very mixed season for Lionel Messi. After an impressive end to the 2006/2007 many expected this season to be his real breakthrough years as the worlds greatest. However, a combination of injury, and the sheer brilliance of certain a Cristiano Ronaldo prevented such from materialising.

Leo did the start the season very well, most notably scoring five goals in seven days as Barcelona surged into the top four in La Liga. These goals came against FC Sevilla (2), Lyon (1) and Real Zaragoza (2). However, regardless of his or any individuals form, Barcelona were a club in relative turmoil. They had got themselves stuck in 3rd in La Liga, with realistic title ambitions all but eradicated by the winter break.

Messi was to solider on through a number of minor knocks and strains, and on 27 February, Messi played in his 100th official match for Barcelona against Valencia. Sadly, on the 4th March Leo was sidelined for six weeks following a muscle tear in his left thigh during a Champions League match against Celtic. Messi was in tears when he left the pitch, knowing that his Champions League dreams may be over.

Messi was to defy the odds though, and he returned for the Champions League Semi-Final clashes against Manchester United. In the 2nd leg in particular, Messi was regarded by virtually all as the bet player on the pitch, was a shining light in a very poor Barcelona side. The Catalans would go onto lose 1-0, and finish the League season in third, thus ending the tenure of manager Frank Rijkaard.

The season did not finish at that point for Messi, However. He was to play in the 2008 summer Olympics in China. Having originally been barred by Barcelona from playing for his country, new Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola let him go, on the basis that he played no friendlies in the 2008/2009 season for Argentina. He scored the first goal in the first game in a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. Then he scored the opening goal in the 2-1 extra-time win against the Netherlands. In the gold medal match, Messi assisted Ángel Di María for the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Nigeria, giving Leo an Olympic Gold Medal.