Lionel Messi Names Fraser Forster’s Performance as the Best Goalkeeping Display He’s Ever Witnessed
Football icon Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, once singled out an unexpected name when asked about the most impressive goalkeeping performance he had ever faced during his illustrious career.
The Argentine maestro has competed against countless world-class goalkeepers throughout his career spanning Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and now Inter Miami. With an astonishing record of 752 goals in 928 appearances across all competitions at the club level, plus another 128 goals in 213 caps for Argentina, Messi has tested the skills of virtually every elite goalkeeper of his generation.
Despite facing legendary names like Iker Casillas, Gianluigi Buffon, and Alisson Becker, it was England international Fraser Forster who earned Messi’s highest praise for a remarkable performance in 2012.
“The performances of Fraser Forster against us were talked about for a long time,” Messi revealed. “There was one game in Scotland where he was not human, it is the best goalkeeping performance I have seen.”
The match in question was Celtic’s famous 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League group stage in November 2012. Forster, who was nicknamed “The Great Wall of Glasgow” after that performance, made seven crucial saves to deny Messi and his Barcelona teammates for most of the match.
From Celtic Hero to Premier League Professional
Forster’s superhuman display clearly left a lasting impression on the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Messi even admitted that Forster was discussed as a potential replacement when Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes announced his departure.
“When Victor Valdes said he was leaving we even talked about him playing here,” Messi confessed. “I was sure he would end up at Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.”
Forster’s career path after his Celtic heroics included:
- Transfer to Southampton in 2014 after impressing in Scotland
- Making 162 appearances for the Saints over multiple seasons
- A loan return to Celtic for the 2019/20 campaign
- Joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2022
- Earning 6 international caps with England
Now 36 years old, Forster remains at Tottenham after signing a contract extension in December 2023 that keeps him at the North London club until summer 2025. He has made 34 appearances for Spurs across all competitions.
While Messi did eventually score a consolation goal in the 90th minute of that memorable Celtic-Barcelona encounter, Forster’s performance that night in Glasgow secured his place in the Argentine superstar’s memory as the most exceptional goalkeeping display he had witnessed in his career.
The story serves as a reminder that even in the world of football’s elite, sometimes it’s a single exceptional performance rather than consistent excellence that creates the most lasting impression on the game’s greatest players.
Are you a goalkeeper looking to improve your skills? Study the techniques of professionals like Fraser Forster and transform your game! Check out our specialized training programs designed to help you reach your full potential between the posts.