Lionel Messi, the Argentine football icon, has successfully executed a remarkable total of 54 bicycle kick or chilena, as it’s known in Spanish. However, Messi’s First Bicycle Kick goal was for PSG in 2022 and it was his only successful bicycle kick in his long career.
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Also read: Inter Miami vs Newell’s: Messi Faced off Against his Boyhood Club
Messi’s First Bicycle Kick Goal
On August 6, 2022, Messi scored his first bicycle kick goal while playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against Clermont Foot 63 in a Ligue 1 game. This was a significant milestone in Messi’s career, as despite scoring hundreds of goals for both club and country, he had never scored a goal by way of a bicycle kick.
Brief Goal Moment
In the 80th minute of the game, Messi scored his first goal of the match, and just six minutes later, he was afforded the opportunity to do one of the few things he had never done before. Thanks to a lovely ball over the top of Clermont’s entire team by Leandro Paredes.
Messi had to turn his back and chest the ball down, but instead of taking a touch, turning, and slotting it into a corner, Messi took the ball off his chest, opted to Bicycle it, and perfectly lofted the ball over the head of Clermont keeper Mory Diaw.
The bicycle kick goal was a thing of beauty, and you could tell from the look on Messi’s face that he was overjoyed that he added a bicycle kick goal to his long list of accomplishments.
Watch the Goal
54 Bicycle Kicks
Here’s a detailed breakdown of all bicycle goal attempts across various seasons:
| Season | Bicycle Kick |
|---|---|
| 2009-2010 | 3 |
| 2010-2011 | 5 |
| 2011-2012 | 6 |
| 2012-2013 | 8 |
| 2013-2014 | 11 |
| 2014-2015 | 12 |
| 2015-2016 | 8 |
| 2016-2017 | 5 |
| 2017-2018 | 3 |
We all know about Messi’s dribbling skill and ball control, but you may be wondering, How Messi is able to perform such a great number of bicycle kicks?
Here are a few reasons.To begin with, Messi showcases remarkable balance, a quality that empowers him to uphold a stable stance during the execution of a bicycle kick. This balance facilitates a potent and accurate strike as he elevates his legs overhead.
Additionally, Messi displays notable leg strength, enabling him to generate significant force, thus delivering powerful shots that pose challenges for goalkeepers.
Finally, Messi demonstrates exceptional precision, directing the ball precisely to his desired target, thereby presenting formidable obstacles for defenders seeking to clear it.
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