Manchester City is facing Real Madrid in matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions League, where Pep Guardiola’s squad falls behind early but fights back with two goals to take the lead. One of those goals comes from Erling Haaland, marking his first goal at the Santiago Bernabeu and immediately sparking comparisons to how long it took Lionel Messi to score there.
Haaland’s goal comes in the 43rd minute, a penalty he earns himself after a foul by Antonio Rudiger. This is Haaland’s third appearance at the Bernabeu, including the semifinals of the 2022-2023 Champions League and the quarterfinals of the 2023-2024 edition against Real Madrid. His rapid impact in such a high-profile stadium draws plenty of attention.
Messi, by comparison, took four official matches to score his first goal at the Santiago Bernabeu. He makes his debut there on November 19, 2005, in a 3-0 Barcelona victory, but doesn’t net his first Clásico goal at the stadium until March 10, 2007, in a 3-3 draw.
Messi’s best performances at the Bernabeu
Lionel Messi’s most memorable performances at the Santiago Bernabeu are tied to Barcelona’s most dominant victories. His breakout show came in the historic 2-6 win on May 2, 2009. In that match, Messi thrived as a false nine, scoring a double and providing a key assist. It was a masterclass that cemented the start of Pep Guardiola’s golden era at Barcelona.
Lionel Messi during a Barcelona match.
Another unforgettable night came on April 27, 2011, during the UEFA Champions League semifinals. In a tense atmosphere, Messi produced two decisive goals to secure a 0-2 victory. His second goal, a stunning solo effort past several Real Madrid defenders, is widely regarded as one of his finest. That performance helped Barcelona reach the final at Wembley, which they would ultimately win.
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In La Liga, the 2013-2014 season featured an unforgettable hat trick on March 23, 2014, in a 3-4 win for Barcelona. Messi scored two penalties and one open-play goal, surpassing Alfredo Di Stefano as the all-time top scorer in El Clásico history. The match was an offensive showcase that was decided in the final minutes, with Messi as the standout performer.
Finally, the epic 2-3 victory on April 23, 2017, is remembered for Messi’s last-minute winner. Following a lightning-fast counterattack in stoppage time, Messi finished with his left foot to secure the win. His iconic celebration, holding up his shirt to the Real Madrid crowd, capped a night in which he scored a brace and demonstrated complete dominance at the Bernabeu.
