Messi out to make history against Juventus

At 27, Lionel Messi is already a three-time winner of Europe's most coveted prize. Having amassed an impressive collection of trophies and records, the Argentinian international is now targeting a fourth continental success with FC Barcelona, and an individual landmark in the decider on 6 June.

Should the Barça No10 register against Juventus in Berlin, he will become the first player to score in three UEFA Champions League finals, having netted against Manchester United FC in 2009 and 2011. By finding the target against the Bianconeri, Messi would eclipse the likes of Raúl González, former Blaugrana team-mate Samuel Eto'o and the joint-top scorer this term, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona 2009, 2011)
In his previous final appearances, in Rome and at Wembley, the forward made a telling contribution, scoring once in each game – a third in as many deciders would make UEFA Champions League history. In 2009, Messi notched the crucial second for Josep Guardiola's charges in his first showpiece. An accurate looping header at the far past, following a pinpoint right-wing cross from Xavi Hernández, beat United custodian Edwin van der Sar to give Barcelona a 2-0 triumph.

Messi also struck in 2011 as his man-of-the-match display inspired the Spanish champions past Sir Alex Ferguson's men in London. His early second-half effort – a powerful left-footed drive from 20 metres – put Barça back in front before David Villa ended United's challenge to seal a 3-1 victory.

With ten goals, Messi is level at the top of this season's goal charts with Ronaldo. An unprecedented 78th strike in the competition would see him crowned as leading marksman for a record fifth time, and achieve the remarkable feat of scoring in all three of his final appearances.

Raúl finds the net in 2002©Getty Images

Raúl (Real Madrid CF 2000, 2002)
Once the all-time UEFA Champions League record goalscorer, Raúl tasted glory in this tournament three times with the Whites. The former Spanish international plundered 71 in 144 outings in Europe's premier competition, making a notably telling contribution during the triumphs in Paris and Glasgow.

The marksman registered 15 minutes from time against Valencia CF in 2000, rounding Los Che goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares after racing clear, as Vicente del Bosque's team landed an eighth continental crown with a 3-0 win. In 2002, in Madrid's centenary year, Raúl become the first player to score in two UEFA Champions League finals. He grabbed the opener in the 2-1 victory against Bayer 04 Leverkusen – sliding the ball beyond Werkself custodian Hans-Jörg Butt before Zinédine Zidane grabbed the headlines.

Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona 2006, 2009)
"I'm not an expert at winning competitions," claimed the Cameroon international after he lifted 'Ol' Big Ears' for a third time – with FC Internazionale Milano in 2010. Yet his input into Barça and Inter's European conquests was hardly insignificant.

With his side a goal down in 2006, the forward led the Catalans' recovery in his first European decider, slotting a late equaliser against ten-man Arsenal FC before Frank Rijkaard's men clinched the Blaugrana's second title.

Three years later, the striker – who has netted 33 times in the tournament – was at it again, against Manchester United. Only ten minutes had elapsed when Eto'o broke the deadlock, evading Nemanja Vidić before hitting the target. The next term he was part of the Nerazzurri team that ended their 45-year quest for the trophy, completing a unique second successive treble success for Eto'o in the process.

Cristiano Ronaldo savours victory last term©Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC 2008, Real Madrid CF 2014)
The Portugal phenomenon was awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or for a second consecutive year after a record-breaking 2013/14 in Europe. His 17th goal of that campaign – via a spot kick in the Lisbon showpiece – made Ronaldo the fourth player to score in two UEFA Champions League finals. Victorious in 2008 with United and a runner-up 12 months later, Ronaldo could eventually savour his third final experience: the Merengues' 4-1 defeat of neighbours Club Atlético de Madrid which ended a 12-year wait for 'La Décima'.

The 30-year-old had also found the net in his first decider, a shoot-out KO of Chelsea FC in 2008. Ronaldo nodded the Red Devils ahead before the Londoners levelled. Despite missing United's third kick, Ronaldo was still able to celebrate a dramatic success at the Luzhniki Stadion.

Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)
An icon at the ten-time champions, the Argentina-born attacker was an essential part of the legendary Madrid side of the late 1950s and early 60s. The 'Blond Arrow' is also the holder of a remarkable goalscoring record in European Cup finals: Di Stéfano played and scored in five European Champion Clubs' Cup showpieces in a row, firing the Whites to victory in the opening editions. He shares a competition-record tally of seven final strikes with old team-mate Ferenc Puskás.