Lionel Messi, the Argentine football maestro, has had an illustrious career filled with numerous accolades and achievements. One of the competitions where he has left an indelible mark is the Copa del Rey, Spain's premier knockout cup competition.
Messi has won the Copa del Rey a remarkable 7 times throughout his career. His first Copa del Rey triumph came in the 2008 - 2009 season. In the final against Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona emerged victorious with a 4 - 1 scoreline. Messi had an outstanding performance, contributing with a goal and an assist. This victory was part of Barcelona's historic treble-winning season, where they also clinched the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League.
The 2011 - 2012 season saw Messi add another Copa del Rey medal to his collection. Barcelona faced Athletic Bilbao in the final once again, and this time, they won 3 - 0. Messi found the back of the net, playing a crucial role in securing the cup for Barcelona.
In the 2012 - 2013 season, Barcelona faced Athletic Bilbao yet again in the Copa del Rey final. Messi was in scintillating form, scoring two goals as Barcelona won 3 - 1, claiming their 27th Copa del Rey title.
The 2014 - 2015 season was another successful one for Barcelona and Messi in the Copa del Rey. Although Messi did not score in the final against Athletic Bilbao, his overall performances throughout the tournament were instrumental in Barcelona's journey to the final. Barcelona won the final 3 - 1, with Messi providing crucial passes and creating goal - scoring opportunities for his teammates.
The 2015 - 2016 season's Copa del Rey final was a thrilling encounter against Sevilla. Barcelona won 2 - 0 after extra - time, and Messi was the architect of the victory, providing two assists. His vision and passing ability were on full display as he set up his teammates to score the crucial goals.
In the 2016 - 2017 season, Barcelona faced Alavés in the Copa del Rey final. Messi had a hand in all three of Barcelona's goals, scoring one and providing two assists as Barcelona won 3 - 1. His performance in the final was a testament to his ability to influence the outcome of a game.
Messi's final Copa del Rey victory with Barcelona came in the 2020 - 2021 season. In the final against Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona won 4 - 0, and Messi was once again a key player. His presence on the field forced the opposition to focus on him, creating space for his teammates to exploit.
In total, in his Copa del Rey appearances, Messi has scored 52 goals and provided 34 assists in 77 matches. His performances in the Copa del Rey finals have been equally impressive, with 6 goals and 6 assists in 8 finals. His goal - scoring and playmaking abilities have made him one of the most successful players in the history of the Copa del Rey. Messi's 7 Copa del Rey wins are a record that he shares with his Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Gerard Piqué. His achievements in this competition are a testament to his skill, consistency, and love for the game. Whether it's scoring spectacular goals, providing pinpoint assists, or leading by example on the field, Messi has always risen to the occasion in the Copa del Rey, etching his name in the annals of football history.