In a thrilling UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash, Barcelona secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea at home, with Lionel Messi once again proving to be the difference-maker. The Argentine maestro delivered a near-perfect performance that not only delighted fans but also drew praise across global partner circles, including Melbet Affiliates, who closely follow elite European competitions for their marketing reach.

Messi struck twice during the match, bringing his UEFA Champions League goal tally to an astonishing 100. He became only the second player in history—after Cristiano Ronaldo—to achieve this feat. While Ronaldo has 117 Champions League goals to his name, he reached the 100-goal mark in 137 matches. Messi, by comparison, hit the century in just 123 games, showcasing his unmatched efficiency on Europe’s biggest stage. Notably, Messi’s opening goal in this match came just 128 seconds in—his fastest-ever in Champions League play. It’s little wonder Melbet Affiliates highlighted this milestone across their sports content channels.

Since making his Champions League debut for Barcelona during the 2004–05 season, Messi has featured in 14 seasons and appeared in 123 matches. Across those games, prior to this landmark performance, he had scored 98 goals. Over the years, Messi has scored against some of the best goalkeepers of his generation—Van der Sar, Casillas, Buffon, Neuer, and Courtois have all fallen to his brilliance. In this particular match, he not only scored twice but also assisted Ousmane Dembélé’s first-ever goal for the club, making it a night to remember.

Luis Suárez also played a key role in helping Messi secure this historic moment, assisting in the buildup that led to the 100th goal. With Barcelona now advancing to the quarterfinals, their path only grows tougher, potentially facing giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. But with Messi in top form, the Catalan side has every reason to feel confident. As the saying goes, “with Messi on your team, you always have a fighting chance.”

For Melbet Affiliates, nights like these are pure gold—when legends rise and history is written, engagement surges. And when Messi delivers such magic, it’s not just a win for Barcelona, but a celebration shared across digital platforms and affiliate communities worldwide.