From elegance to gravity-defying spectacle, football fans often wonder: can Messi do a bicycle kick? The question sounds almost sacrilegious—after all, Lionel Messi has pulled off feats that many consider supernatural. But the bicycle kick (also called an overhead kick or “chilena”) is among the trickiest, most acrobatic moves in football. In this article, AvigGoal will join you as we dig deep: has Messi ever attempted one in earnest? Has he scored one officially? And what does it reveal about his style, athleticism, and legacy?
What Is A Bicycle Kick—and Why It’s So Hard
Before analyzing Messi’s connection to it, let’s break down the bicycle kick itself.
- The move requires the ball to be airborne (usually in front or over the player).
- The player springs backward mid-air, bringing their kicking leg in a scissor or pedaling motion to strike the ball over their head.
- Timing, flexibility, balance, and spatial awareness are all crucial: one misstep and the player crashes into the turf.
- Across football history, the bicycle kick is viewed as a hallmark of acrobatic brilliance—rare, highlight-reel worthy, and often risky.
- Because of its difficulty, even very skilled strikers attempt it only in perfect scenarios.
Given the move’s very nature, only a select few footballers carry it in their repertoire reliably.
So: is Messi among them?
Has Messi Ever Scored A Bicycle Kick? The Official Record
For years, fans debated if Messi can do it—or was simply missing that acrobatic chapter in his vast highlight reel. But the debate shifted in 2022.
Messi’s First Official Bicycle Kick Goal
In August 2022, wearing the Paris Saint-Germain jersey, Messi delivered what many believe was his first official bicycle-kick goal. In PSG’s 5–0 romp over Clermont, he controlled a pass on his chest with his back to goal and then executed a jaw-dropping overhead strike. That goal not only silenced skeptics—it announced that yes, Messi can do a bicycle kick.
He’d scored two in the match, but it was the second, acrobatic finish that made waves.
News outlets described it as “spectacular,” “a sensational bicycle kick,” and lauded the way Messi turned midscreen to deliver it. That moment stands as evidence that Messi has the physical mechanics and audacity required for such a move.
Rare—but existent
To be precise, that PSG goal is widely recognized as Messi’s first in an official match, that finish cemented the answer: yes, Messi can—and did—do a bicycle kick at the highest level.
Why He Didn’t Use It Often: Style, Risk & Role
Scoring one such goal doesn’t mean the move becomes a regular weapon. There are several reasons the bicycle kick doesn’t appear often in Messi’s arsenal.
1. His style isn’t built on acrobatics
Messi’s brilliance lies in close control, dribbling, low center of gravity, delicate finishes, and quick turns. He generally scores with precise left-foot stabs, curling shots, chips, or intelligent positioning. He isn’t the kind of power-forward who trails crosses and lives on aerial chances.
2. Risk vs. reward
Attempting a bicycle kick carries danger: mistimed leaps can injure the player or pose hazards to nearby opponents. In competitive matches, a failed overhead attempt can waste a chance or lead to disaster. Messi—ever methodical—likely reserves such gestures for when conditions are perfect.
3. Positional evolution
Over his career, Messi has gradually dropped deeper, moved into playmaking roles, or even outside midfield zones. That means fewer opportunities to be in the right spot for overhead attempts. He’s less of a pure finisher than earlier in his career, reducing the moments when a bicycle kick would even cross his mind.
4. Selectivity and perfectionism
When a player with Messi’s vision sees a bicycle kick is possible—but only if timing is perfect—he may decide to pass, dribble, or pick another finish. He’s not someone who risks the spectacle if there’s any chance of failure.
So yes, he can, but he uses it sparingly—and when the moment aligns perfectly.
Other Notable Bicycle Kick Moments In Messi’s Career
Messi’s 2022 goal is the clearest example, but there are a few other glimpses:
- In training or football tennis drills, videos and accounts claim Messi has attempted or executed overhead kicks—not in official games, but in practice settings.
- In video compilations labeled “all of Messi’s bicycle kicks,” you see fleeting assists, setups, or almost-attempts, but few that count as classic goals.
- Some fan lore suggests he tried one in youth or lower-tier matches, but no verified records exist.
In short, the overhead kick is not part of his go-to set, but it has hovered on the margins of his career—until that PSG breakthrough.
How Messi’s Bicycle Kick Compares to Other Legends
Let’s see how Messi stacks up in the pantheon of overhead-kick masters.
- Christiano Ronaldo has famously scored several bicycle kicks, including memorable ones in the Champions League. His physique and aerial ability lend to those moments.
- Zlatan Ibrahimović and Marco van Basten often toyed with acrobatics, including overhead volleys and scissor kicks.
- Pelé, Maradona, Hugo Sánchez, and Ronaldinho all have dazzling overhead goals in their highlights.
What’s different about Messi is that his legacy was built largely without relying on such acrobatic flourishes—yet he still crossed that bridge late in his career. That makes his overhead goal both surprising and deeply satisfying for fans who long wondered if he could.
When Might He Try It Again? Predicting Future Attempts
Seeing one doesn’t guarantee many more, but Messi’s 2022 strike opens the possibility. Here’s when we might expect another bicycle kick:
- In matches where PSG’s playstyle or opponent leaves high crosses or cutbacks arriving late.
- In games where Messi is closer to goal, receiving service over defenders.
- In matches where he’s feeling confident, agile, and energetic—less likely when fatigued or older.
- In showcase or friendly events, where risk-taking is more acceptable.
We may not see many, but every time Messi is in the box late with the ball airborne, fans will watch for that classic backflip potential.
Why The Moment Matters: Legacy, Wonder, and Memory
The reason the question “can Messi do a bicycle kick” even persisted matters. Messi built a legend on consistency, intelligence, and sublime control—not wild theatrics. So when he finally delivered an overhead goal, it felt like a missing jewel slotting into place.
- It adds a dramatic highlight to his later years.
- It enriches his legacy: a signature often reserved for legends, now added to his repertoire.
- It gives fans one more moment of astonishment in a career full of them.
For younger generations, they’ll look back and say: “Yes, he could even do that.”
Conclusion
Can Messi do a bicycle kick? Yes—and he proved it in official play when he scored a breathtaking overhead goal for PSG in 2022. But that single moment doesn’t transform his game or style. It’s a rare gem in a career all about balance, positioning, and genius.
If you love diving into football’s wildest moments, keep following AvigGoal. Join our community, browse our player dossiers, or drop us suggestions for the next myth to decode. Messi’s bicycle kick is one chapter—there are many more legends left to explore.
