It was 15 years ago today, when a young Lionel Messi picked up the ball on the half-way line and scored the greatest goal of his career, maybe even, the greatest goal of all-time.

Barcelona welcomed Getafe to the Camp Nou for the first leg of a Copa del Rey semi-final clash in 2007.

Messi, aged 19, was enjoying his third season amongst the first-team squad and was already drawing direct comparisons to his hero and Argentinian icon - Diego Maradona.

As you can imagine, this goal did little to stop the hype given the unreal similarities it shares with Maradona's famous goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.

The goal

Messi received the ball around 60 yards away from the opposition goal, just inside his own half, but was quickly faced with an on-rushing Getafe defender...

In typical Leo fashion, he invited the pressure before whipping the ball away at the last second and skipping around the man, he then followed the skill up with the silkiest nutmeg you are ever likely to witness on his next rival.

Still in his own half at this point, Messi then goes on a dazzling 30-yard run, before nimbly navigating his way past two more defenders, charging into the box and rounding the keeper to score.

In scoring the goal, the little Argentine covered nearly 3/4 of the pitch without giving the ball away, sold no less than five opponents and finished in stunning fashion - Messi really was a god amongst men in those days.

Just listen to the Camp Nou as they roar in disbelief at every stage of the incredible run.

Goosebumps...

The aftermath

Barcelona romped to a 5-2 victory in the first leg, which is unsurprising after Messi set the Camp Nou alight with that beauty.

Although incredibly, Getafe fought back in the second leg and won the game 4-0, meaning they progressed to the final on an aggregate 6-5 victory.

Barcelona losing the second leg of a cup tie 4-0 and then being defeated... where have we heard that before? And Getafe didn't even need a 'corner taken quickly.'

Sevilla would go on to become eventual champions, defeating Getafe 1-0 in the final.

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