Sporting Moments which defined 2009 : Messi's Goal in the Champions League Finals.

The Champions league finals which took place at Rome between Manchester United and Barcelona was one of the top footballing moments of 2009. More than the teams, it was widely considered as a personal battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to determine who is the greatest player in the world.

The match was vividly expected as it took place between two equally stronger teams which play completely different football in contrast to the last year finals between Man Utd annd Chelsea which saw United winning in a Penalty Shoot-out.

Manchester United are a stronger defensive team while Barcelona go all guns blazing in the offensive end. No other team has won the Champions League in back-to-back years. Can Man Utd make history?

Barcelona had different plans in their minds. The game opened with Cristiano Ronaldo almost scoring. After 5 minutes, it was all Barca. Samuel Eto'o scored in the 10th minute.

The only factor which many criticized about Messi was his size. He is a small man. Man felt that he lacked the strength and physique of Ronaldo they said “He can’t head the ball, he’s too small.”

Lionel Messi rose into the heavens in the 70th minute and netted the ball into Van Der Sar's net and secured the cup to the Catalan Giants, it silenced everyone. Messi came out victorious in the clash of the titans. He silenced his critics and was considered "flawless".
2009 will be the year in which Messi took over the apparent crown from Ronaldo and Manchester united.