Messi's Bicycle Kick Goals: The Real Count
Lionel Messi has scored somewhere between 3 and 6 bicycle kick goals across his entire career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentine national team. The exact number is difficult to pin down because different sources count them differently—some include only clear, textbook bicycle kicks, while others count overhead kicks that are technically different techniques. What matters more than the total is that Messi rarely relied on bicycle kicks the way strikers like Cristiano Ronaldo did, because his game was built on close control, quick feet, and shooting from angles where a bicycle kick would be unnecessary.
The most famous Messi bicycle kick came in April 2017 against Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinal at the Camp Nou. He received the ball outside the box, turned, and struck an overhead kick that flew past the goalkeeper—a moment that stands out precisely because it was unusual for him. That goal is widely counted as one of his clearest bicycle kick finishes, though even that one is sometimes debated because the technique and circumstances matter when you're splitting hairs about what counts.
Key Takeaways
- Messi scored between 3 and 6 bicycle kicks in his career, with the exact number varying depending on how strictly you define the technique.
- His most celebrated bicycle kick came against Liverpool in 2017, a Champions League moment that is counted by nearly every source.
- Bicycle kicks were never a signature move for Messi because his playing style relied on dribbling and shooting from positions where overhead kicks were not necessary.
- The difficulty in counting his bicycle kicks reflects a broader truth: different analysts and statisticians use different definitions for what counts as a bicycle kick versus an overhead kick or scissor kick.
Why Messi Didn't Need Bicycle Kicks
Messi's game was fundamentally different from players who scored many bicycle kicks. He spent most of his career receiving the ball in space, dribbling past defenders, and shooting from angles where his feet were already in the right position. A bicycle kick is a desperation move or a moment of pure technique when the ball is behind you or above your head—situations Messi usually avoided by being in the right place to begin with.
His left foot was so precise and his field vision so sharp that he could create shooting opportunities from almost anywhere on the pitch. When he did attempt overhead kicks, they were often in situations where a normal shot was impossible, which is why they stand out in highlight reels. The rarity of the move made each one more memorable, not less.
The Liverpool Goal and Other Notable Attempts
The 2017 Champions League goal against Liverpool is the one bicycle kick that appears in nearly every compilation and is counted by virtually all sources. The ball came to him at an awkward height, he had limited time, and he struck it cleanly with his right foot—a remarkable moment because Messi was primarily left-footed and bicycle kicks require split-second timing.
Beyond that goal, other potential bicycle kicks in his career are either debated or less well-documented. Some sources point to goals in Copa América matches or domestic league games, but without video confirmation or widespread recognition at the time, they remain harder to verify. This is why the total count varies so much depending on the source.
How Bicycle Kicks Are Counted Differently
The confusion around Messi's bicycle kick total comes down to definitions. A true bicycle kick involves both feet leaving the ground, the body arching backward, and the ball being struck with the heel or the back of the foot. An overhead kick or scissor kick might involve both feet off the ground but uses the instep or inside of the foot instead. Some statisticians count all of these together; others separate them.
Sports databases like Transfermarkt and ESPN sometimes list different totals for the same player because they explore different criteria. One database might count only goals where the player's back was to the goal, while another counts any goal where both feet left the ground. This is not laziness—it reflects the fact that the technique itself exists on a spectrum, and there is no universal rule for where one type of kick ends and another begins.
Comparing Messi to Other Players Known for Bicycle Kicks
Cristiano Ronaldo, by contrast, scored far more bicycle kicks—estimates range from 8 to 15 depending on the source. Ronaldo actively looked for opportunities to attempt overhead kicks and had the athleticism and timing to execute them consistently. Players like Gareth Bale and Zlatan Ibrahimović also scored more bicycle kicks than Messi because their playing styles sometimes left them in positions where the technique was the best option.
This difference reflects how each player approached the game. Ronaldo was a more physical, explosive finisher who could generate power from difficult angles. Messi was a technician who preferred to be in control of his body position before shooting. Neither approach is better—they are straightforward different ways of playing the game, and they naturally led to different types of goals.
Why Exact Numbers Are Hard to Find
Official goal records kept by FIFA, UEFA, and national football associations do not categorize goals by the type of kick used. They record that a goal was scored, who scored it, and when—but not the technique. This means that anyone counting bicycle kicks is doing so by watching video footage and making a judgment call about whether each goal meets their definition.
Messi played over 900 professional matches across multiple clubs and competitions. Going back through all of that footage and explore consistent criteria is time-consuming, which is why different sources arrive at different totals. A sports journalist writing in 2015 might have counted only the goals they remembered clearly; a statistician in 2024 might have access to more complete video archives and explore stricter definitions.
What the Numbers Tell You
The bottom line is that Messi scored bicycle kicks rarely enough that the exact total matters less than the fact that it was not a signature part of his game. Whether the number is 3, 4, 5, or 6, it represents a tiny fraction of his 800+ career goals. That rarity is what made each one memorable—when Messi did attempt a bicycle kick, it was noteworthy enough to be replayed and discussed.
If you are looking for a definitive answer, the most honest one is that the 2017 Liverpool goal is the only bicycle kick that is universally counted and remembered. Other goals may or may not may have access to depending on how strictly you define the technique, and without access to complete, consistently-categorized video archives, no source can claim absolute accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Liverpool goal in 2017 definitely a bicycle kick?
Yes. Messi received the ball at chest height, turned his body, and struck it with an overhead motion using his right foot while both feet left the ground. It is counted by every major source as a bicycle kick goal, making it the most universally recognized one of his career.
Did Messi score more bicycle kicks than Ronaldo?
No. Ronaldo scored significantly more bicycle kicks—estimates suggest 8 to 15 compared to Messi's 3 to 6. Ronaldo actively sought out opportunities for overhead kicks, while Messi's playing style made them unnecessary most of the time.
Why is it so hard to find the exact number?
Official goal records do not categorize goals by technique, only by who scored and when. Counting bicycle kicks requires watching video and explore a definition—and different sources use different definitions for what counts as a bicycle kick versus an overhead kick or scissor kick.
Could Messi have scored more bicycle kicks that nobody counted?
Possibly, but unlikely for major goals. Messi's career has been extensively documented in video, and any clear bicycle kick would have been noticed and replayed. Minor goals in friendlies or youth matches might exist uncounted, but they would not change the overall picture that bicycle kicks were rare for him.