Messi Wins UEFA’s Goal of the Season

Lionel Messi has been awarded UEFA’s Goal of the Season award for his superb 30-yard free-kick against Liverpool at Camp Nou last season.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored twice in a 3-0 first-leg victory over Jurgen Klopp’s side in the last four of the Champions League, taking centre stage after Luis Suarez netted an early opener.

The 32-year-old’s 12th goal in the competition last term was arguably his best of the entire 2018-19 campaign, as he beat Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson with a stunning curling effort from a dead ball.

Unfortunately for Messi and Barca, they were unable to finish the job in the second leg at Anfield, as Liverpool sealed a remarkable turnaround by winning 4-0 in front of their own fans to reach the final.

The Reds went on to lift a sixth European Cup with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the Madrid showpiece, while the Blaugrana were widely criticised in Spain for another early exit in the competition.