Lionel Messi is set to face Porto once again—the side against whom he first donned the Barcelona shirt. Alongside that iconic debut lies a lesser-known memory - it remains the only European final in which the Argentine both scored and assisted.
Mention Porto, and Messi is transported back to 2003. A fresh-faced youngster, pimples on his skin, wearing a baggy grey shirt with the number 14 on his back.
It was his debut for Barcelona at the Dragao Stadium. A mere friendly, but for Messi, it was the beginning of a dream. What few may realise is that Porto also feature in a unique chapter of his career - the only European final in which he combined goal and assist.
Across 22 European finals, Messi has tallied 14 goals and six assists. But never did those two qualities align—except in the 2011 UEFA Super Cup, where Barcelona's 2-0 triumph bore his signature twice.
First, he capitalised on a poor backpass from Fredy Guarin six minutes before the break, feinting to wrong-foot Helton and finishing into an empty net.
Then, in the dying moments, he glanced over his shoulder to spot Cesc Fabregas and threaded a perfectly weighted pass—one reminiscent of the assists young Lamine Yamal now delivers with ease.
Of course, topping Messi's personal highlights will always be his brace in the Qatar World Cup final, helping Argentina finally lift the one trophy that had eluded him. He also provided two assists in the Finalissima against Italy.
Now, 13 seasons on, and preparing for only his third encounter against the Portuguese club—his second in an official fixture—the Inter Miami forward will once again cross paths with a team from his past.
"When they told me to warm up, I got nervous. I just wanted to get on and try to score," a wide-eyed Messi said back in 2003. Today, he will look to pass on the composure and experience his young teammates will need if they are to continue dreaming of a Club World Cup knockout stage.