On a clear night in Rome, Lionel Messi rose higher than anyone expected. His header in the 70th minute sealed a 2–0 victory over Manchester United and delivered Barcelona’s third European Cup.
A leap that defied logic
Barcelona already led through Samuel Eto'o's early strike. Then Xavi Hernández drifted down the right and lofted a chipped cross into the penalty area.
Messi, standing at just 1.70 metres, launched himself at a ball floating nearly 2.70 metres in the air. He redirected it with his head past Edwin van der Sar, tumbled to the turf and lost a boot in the celebration.
The goal that completed a treble
That moment secured a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble — a feat no Spanish club had achieved before. It was Barcelona's third European crown, arriving 17 years after their first at Wembley.
Manchester United had entered as defending champions, the first holders to reach the final since 1997. But in front of 62,467 spectators, Barcelona refused to yield.
His favourite, sixteen years on
"I've scored many goals that might have been even more beautiful and valuable — also because of their importance — but the header in the Champions League final against Manchester United has always been my favorite," he told reporters years later.
The goal remains a rarity in a career of more than 800 strikes. It lifted Messi and Pep Guardiola to legendary status and closed the only European final where Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ever met.
A small man scored with a towering header, and a club's greatest season found its defining image.
