Lionel Messi scores wonder goal, he's back to his absolute best

Lionel Messi continued to show he's back to his very best, with an absolute worldie against Benfica in the Champions League.

Messi's move to PSG was expected to see him continue his ridiculous scoring record, or perhaps put up even better numbers, considering the strength of the league.

However, in his first season in Ligue 1, things didn't turn out the way the seven time Ballon d'Or winner would have expected, as he ended up with just six league goals, his worst return since the 2005/06 season.

Whilst he did show some form in Europe, scoring five goals in just seven appearances, he has really started going for the Parisiens at the start of this campaign.

He's already scored five in the league this season, including a brilliant free kick vs Nice, and has looked like the player we've all come to know and love over the years.

And on Wednesday night he was at it again, as Christophe Galtier's men visited Benfica in the Champions League, and Messi came up with a moment of magic.

The 35-year-old got the ball 10 yards inside the opposition half, played a perfect pass, continued his run and, when he collected the ball back on the edge of the area, curled a beautiful shot past the keeper.

MESSI. 😳

SUBLIME. 🤤#UCL pic.twitter.com/DeSje1WKV6

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 5, 2022

Gary Lineker summed it up pretty succinctly on social media, saying, "The gift from the footballing gods that just keeps on giving. Yet another extraordinary goal from the man and the goat that is Lionel Messi."

"Polite reminder that Messi is still in a league of his own," another fan said.

A third fan said, "No one will ever make football look as easy as Lionel Messi does," perhaps ignoring how easy everything is coming to Erling Haaland right now.

One fan was feeling sorry for those who dislike the former Barcelona star, adding, "I pity for people who actually hate Messi. You are missing out on watching the Greatest footballer there will ever be, you will regret not enjoying him when he retires."

And another put it simply, but it was bang on, saying, "That Messi goal was a work of art."

Every time I watch Messi play: pic.twitter.com/QwWVieqROi

— Ziad is NOT in pain  (@Ziad_EJ) October 5, 2022

The goal actually broke yet another record for the forward, bringing up the 40th opponent he's scored against in the Champions League.

No player before Messi has reached that milestone, maybe it's no wonder that Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to play in the tournament this season.

The goal means that the Argentina star is now just 13 goals behind his rival as the player with the most goals in Europe's number one competition.

The most he's scored in a Champions League campaign is 14 goals, the one vs Benfica being his second of the season already, so if he equals that he would be just one behind Ronaldo.

Messi has been linked with a return to Barcelona next summer, with his deal at the Parc des Princes set to expire, although there is the option for another year.