Lionel Messi’s career has been an almost endless reel of highlights, the mesmeric ability of the Barcelona superstar leaving football fans in awe for over a decade.
Messi was destined for superstardom from an early age and wasted little time in introducing himself to the football world, one of his finest showings coming in club football’s biggest fixture whilst still only a teenager.
There had been glimpses of the talent that would define a generation and mark Messi out as one of the greatest the game has seen, but his scintillating hat-trick against Real Madrid in 2007 was a moment the world truly stood up and took notice.
The 19-year-old was the best player on a pitch including names such as illustrious teammates Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho, scoring three times in a thrilling 3-3 Clásico draw at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid took the lead three times in a thoroughly entertaining clash between Spanish football’s top two, but each time were pegged back by the precocious genius of a player heading to the very top.
Here is Lionel Messi’s first ever El Clásico hat-trick.
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