Lionel Messi has named his two most important goals after being asked to choose the best strikes from the 936 goals he has scored for club and country.

According to a report by Barca Universal on Friday, October 23, 2026, the Inter Miami forward said it was not easy to make a choice because of the many memorable goals he has scored for Barcelona and Argentina.

Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE in Oviedo ahead of receiving the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, Messi picked his goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France as the most important of his career.

The Argentina captain scored twice in the final at Lusail Stadium as both teams played out a 3-3 draw. Argentina eventually won the match on penalties to lift the World Cup trophy.

Explaining why he chose the goals, Messi said: “But with the national team, I would probably pick a goal from the World Cup final, because of what it meant, the moment it came, and the importance of the match.”

Choosing his best goal at Barcelona proved more difficult for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. He did not settle on one particular strike but mentioned goals from a Champions League final, an El Clasico or another major match.

“As for Barcelona, I might choose a goal from a Champions League final, an El Clasico, or another particularly important match,” he explained.

During his time at Barcelona, Messi scored several memorable goals, including a header against Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final. Barcelona won that match 2-0 in Rome.

He also scored in the 2011 Champions League final against United and produced a remarkable solo goal against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the same competition.

Messi has given different answers to questions about his favourite goal over the years. In 2023, he described his solo effort against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu as the most beautiful goal of his career, while identifying his World Cup final goal as the most important.

In a separate interview in 2025, he chose his header against Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final as his best goal.

The Argentine is currently in Oviedo to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports at a ceremony attended by Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia.

The award also has personal meaning for Messi following the death of his father, Jorge, in August. The football star recalled that his father had been looking forward to seeing him receive the prestigious honour.