Lionel Messi Names 2009 UCL Final Header as Favorite Goal

Lionel Messi revealed his favorite career goal is the header against Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final, which secured Barcelona’s historic treble. The goal will be transformed into a digital artwork by Refik Anadol and unveiled on June 11, 2025. Proceeds from its Christie’s auction will support Inter Miami’s charitable foundation.

After the announcement by Inter Miami and Lionel Messi, the legendary forward revealed that his favorite goal of his illustrious career is the header he scored against Manchester United in the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League final. This goal, which helped Barcelona seal a 2–0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, crowned a historic treble-winning season for the club.

Despite scoring over 800 goals in his career, including dazzling solo efforts, free kicks, and World Cup final strikes, Messi chose this moment for its significance in ushering in Barcelona’s golden era. As part of the club’s “A Goal in Life” initiative, contemporary artist Refik Anadol will transform this iconic goal into a unique work of art.

The piece will be unveiled on June 11, 2025, at Christie’s in New York, with public viewing starting June 15, the same day an online auction for the artwork begins. All proceeds will support charitable causes. The visual tribute to Messi’s leap and header past Edwin van der Sar aims to celebrate one of the most unforgettable moments in Champions League history, now being immortalized not just in football, but in the world of art.