Lionel Messi made history on Wednesday by becoming the first player to score five goals in a European Champions League match as Barcelona thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 7-1. The Argentine was previously one of a select few to have grabbed four goals in the modern format of Europe's premier club competition.
High five —
Lionel Messi made history on Wednesday by becoming the first player to score five goals in a European Champions League match as Barcelona thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 7-1. The Argentine was previously one of a select few to have grabbed four goals in the modern format of Europe's premier club competition.
The first player to score four times in a match after the old European Cup was rebranded was Dutch master Marco van Basten. He grabbed all of AC Milan's goals in a 4-0 win over Sweden's IFK Goteborg in 1992.
Marvelous Marco —
The first player to score four times in a match after the old European Cup was rebranded was Dutch master Marco van Basten. He grabbed all of AC Milan's goals in a 4-0 win over Sweden's IFK Goteborg in 1992.
Only Spanish star Raul has bettered Filippo Inzaghi's tally of 70 goals in European competition, but the former Italy striker's less-heralded younger brother Simone is the only member of their family to score four times in a Champions League match. He did it in Lazio's 5-1 win against Marseille in 2000.
The other Inzaghi —
Only Spanish star Raul has bettered Filippo Inzaghi's tally of 70 goals in European competition, but the former Italy striker's less-heralded younger brother Simone is the only member of their family to score four times in a Champions League match. He did it in Lazio's 5-1 win against Marseille in 2000.
Dado Prso grabbed four goals for Monaco in what became the highest-scoring match in Champions League history. The Croat helped the team from the principality to an 8-3 win over Spain's Deportivo la Coruna in 2003.
Dado's double double —
Dado Prso grabbed four goals for Monaco in what became the highest-scoring match in Champions League history. The Croat helped the team from the principality to an 8-3 win over Spain's Deportivo la Coruna in 2003.
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is the second-highest scorer in European Cup and Champions League history with 60 goals, behind Raul. He found the net four times while playing for Manchester United in a 4-1 win over Sparta Prague in 2004.
Van Nistelrooy nets four —
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is the second-highest scorer in European Cup and Champions League history with 60 goals, behind Raul. He found the net four times while playing for Manchester United in a 4-1 win over Sparta Prague in 2004.
One goal behind Van Nistelrooy on the overall list is Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko. He scored four times in AC Milan's 4-0 away to Turkey's Fenerbahce in 2005.
Super Shevchenko —
One goal behind Van Nistelrooy on the overall list is Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko. He scored four times in AC Milan's 4-0 away to Turkey's Fenerbahce in 2005.
Messi's first four-goal tally in the Champions League came in 2010 as Barca beat Arsenal 4-1 in a quarterfinal second leg.
Magical Messi —
Messi's first four-goal tally in the Champions League came in 2010 as Barca beat Arsenal 4-1 in a quarterfinal second leg.
Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis scored four goals in a Champions League match this season, as the French team squeezed into the knockout stages with a 7-1 win against Dinamo Zagreb.
Golden Gomis —
Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis scored four goals in a Champions League match this season, as the French team squeezed into the knockout stages with a 7-1 win against Dinamo Zagreb.