Messi's unbelievable scoreless record against Chelsea

Barcelona's dominant lead at the top of La Liga and place in the Copa del Rey final means Lionel Messi seems certain to cement his reputation as one of the all-time greats with yet more silverware this season.

However, on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge, a troubling foe comes into view for the mercurial Argentinian.

Despite facing Chelsea eight times in the Champions League during his stellar career and having 29 shots on target, Messi has never scored against the reigning Premier League champions.

11 December 2017

There is no other opponent he has faced more frequently without finding the net. Here, we look back at how Chelsea have managed to stop the unstoppable force:

2005-06 Champions League round of 16 – Barcelona beat Chelsea 3-2 on aggregate

An 18-year-old Messi was enjoying a breakthrough season in the Barcelona first-team and turned in a dazzling performance in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge, twisting and turning Asier del Horno to frustration and a red-card challenge. He didn't manage to find the back of the net though, and the injury problems that dogged Messi's early years struck in the return leg, with a hamstring injury ensuring the 1-1 draw at Camp Nou was his last appearance of a campaign in which Frank Rijkaard's side marched to European glory.

2006-07 Champions League group stage – Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0; Barcelona 2 Chelsea 2

Didier Drogba scored the only goal in London as Chelsea gained a measure of revenge for the previous season and it was Frank Lampard, not Messi, who produced a moment of Camp Nou magic in the return game. The England midfielder spun to lob Victor Valdes – Chelsea's first equaliser in a 2-2 draw that Drogba secured deep into stoppage time. The 'Blues' topped Group A and Barcelona were eliminated in the first knockout round by eventual runners-up Liverpool.

2008-09 Champions League semi-final – Barcelona progress on away goals

Messi was the jewel in Pep Guardiola's all-conquering treble side and would go on to score in the 2-0 final triumph over Manchester United in Rome. He had no such joy in a cagey, controversial semi-final encounter, where the first leg in Catalonia ended goalless. But Messi was on hand to supply the pass for Andres Iniesta to score his stunning and decisive injury-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, which is some consolation.

2011-12 Champions League semi-final - Chelsea neat Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate

The Premier League outfit took the first leg 1-0 thanks to a goal from Drogba in the dying minutes of the first half, but it would be the second leg which would bring Messi his biggest heartbreak. Sergio Busquets and Iniesta gave Barcelona a 2-0 lead at the Camp Nou before Ramires pegged a goal back for Chelsea just on the stroke of half-time. Then, in the 49th minute, Drogba brought down Cesc Fabregas to give 'Los Cules' an important penalty. Messi stepped up to take it and many thought there would be no trouble for the Argentine. They were wrong... He smacked the crossbar as Fernando Torres would then go on to score an important equaliser in the dying moments of the game to put Chelsea through 3-2 on aggregate. The Argentina international was crushed. 

December 11, 2017