When Young Lionel Messi Destroyed Getafe With Sensational Solo Goal; Video

• Argentina's Lionel Messi scored one of the greatest goals in his career against Getafe in the Copa del Rey
• Encara Messi took on a life of its own after Joaquim Maria Puyal kept repeating it during his commentary
• Messi ran from the halfway line, left many defenders for dead, and finally sidestepped the keeper to score

Lionel Messi has enjoyed a glittering career filled with many spectacular moments.

The Argentinian superstar has also scored some must-see goals as a player and developed a reputation for leaving defenders for dead on his way to the goal.

Young Messi, in particular, was a handful to any defender, as he proved in 2007. Sixteen years ago to this day, the then-Barcelona star ran riot against Getafe in the Copa del Rey.

The goal, similar to one that Diego Maradona once scored, has often been described as Messi's greatest goal ever.

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Messi scored a brace in the game, as Barcelona won 5-2, the club's website confirmed, but it was one of his two goals that really stole the show.

19 at the time, Messi received the ball at the halfway line and sprinted towards the goal, leaving the defenders in his wake. The young Messi showed incredible skill with the ball at his feet, leaving four defenders for dead before calmly sidestepping the keeper and scoring.

What made the goal even more iconic was the commentary. Commentator Joaquim Maria Puyal was so stunned by the Argentinian player's skill that he kept repeating the phrase 'Encara Messi.'

The phrase became so popular and took on a life of its own.

Another video of the iconic goal also did the rounds, but this is without commentary. Instead, the crowd's reaction to Messi's skill could be heard as they took in every moment of his brilliant run.

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Barca fans chant Messi’s name

Fans of Barcelona have made it crystal clear they are yearning for the return of Lionel Messi, Sports Brief reported.

Messi, whose current contract with Paris Saint-Germain runs out in the summer, has been linked with a fairy-tale return to Camp Nou following the Parisian club's failure to reach a contract extension agreement with him.

The news of the Argentine's blockbuster return has excited fans of the club, who have made their feelings clear by singing his name for the second game in a row at Camp Nou.