A double century; 200 goals. 202 if we are splitting hairs.

However you choose to describe it one thing remains true – the phenomenon that is Lionel Messi never ceases to amaze the viewing public. The 24-year-old Argentine bagged a hat trick against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League and in the process, he surpassed the 200 goal mark for Barcelona and notched up his 202nd strike for the Catalan giants. Even more astoundingly:  he’s played only 286 games for the club.

The man regarded as the best player of his generation, if not ever, will almost inevitably become the all-time top-scorer for Barcelona with just 33 more strikes needed to topple Cesar Rodriguez, the current record holder and a Barca icon from the 40’s and 50’s. Messi insists he’s not thinking about the record of course; however his manager Pep Guardiola believes he may even smash the record this season. With 22 goals so far in 17 games who could bet against it?

Leo Messi may not be thinking of it but we certainly are. Another barrow full of goals from him will have football enthusiasts and Barca fans eager to see what magic he can produce now. One thing we have learned since he burst onto the scene is that he really does not score very many ‘bad’ goals.

We’ve tried to do the virtually impossible and produced a ‘Ten of the Best’ list for Messi’s finest goals…

10: Messi puts Villareal to the sword

Wonderful one touch passes, synonymous with Barcelona, between Messi and Pedro allow Messi to squirm through the Villarreal defence and score with a sublime finish.

9: A delightful chip gives Messi his treble

Few players have the vision or the ability to pull of a strike like this. When it looked as though there was nothing coming, Messi proves us wrong with a wonderful chip from the edge of the area to complete his hat-trick v Tenerife.

8: Deportivo stunned

He doesn’t just beat men before scoring an cracker, you know! An excellent free-kick from Messi against Deportivo

7: Typical Messi

Pace, control, skill and composure. Messi shows them all as he leaves two Malaga defenders for dead in scoring this excellent strike.

6: “Pure genius”

Just listen to the commentary, “pure genius”. Valencia this time fall victim to the skill of the Argentine.

5: Another chip….Mexico caught out by a breathtaking finish

He can do it on the international stage too. Pure and utter brilliance from Messi, showing fantastic ability and vision to catch the ‘keeper out from inside the penalty area.

4: A wonder goal against Zaragoza

Takes on four defenders before beating the ‘keeper against Zaragoza. A true wonder-goal. If it was anyone else this would be number one. Just wait ’til you see the top three.

3: Messi strikes against Arsenal

The control from Leo Messi in this goal is sublime. The timing every bit as good as the defence are left stranded. A wonderful effort. An honourable mention to Iniesta too – wonderful footwork to release Messi in the first place.

2: Real suffer at the hands of Messi’s brilliance

Champions League semi-final. Barca v Real, Catalunya v Spain, Messi v 4 Defenders. The importance of this goal and the stage it was on makes it all the more impressive.

1: Emulating an icon

Messi scores a carbon copy of a goal scored by another Argentinian icon. Reminiscent of Maradona’s wonder-goal against England, Messi emulates the man who he has dislodged as the greatest player to have graced the field. If the hairs on the back of your neck don’t stand up, you have no soul.

Thanks to @Linton1388, @DouglasBarrie, @GrantCadwell and @SFurnivall for their help in finalising the ten goals.