The head-to-head encounters between Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller have formed one of the most thrilling and painful individual rivalries in modern football. Although both are stars of the game and have won the World Cup, with the Argentine star generally having the upper hand, the balance has heavily tipped in favor of Müller in their direct confrontations.

It is not just about the number of victories but how they were achieved; the teams Müller played for caused some of the biggest footballing disasters in Messi’s illustrious career, making Müller a personal 'nemesis' for the Argentine star.

The first and most shocking blow came in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, when Müller led his country, Germany, to thrash Argentina 4-0. Müller not only scored but was part of a German machine that crushed Messi’s early World Cup ambitions.

The painful scene was repeated in 2013 during the UEFA Champions League semifinals, when Bayern Munich demolished Barcelona both home and away with an aggregate score of 7-0. Müller was the main architect of that epic, scoring three goals, confirming his overwhelming superiority over Messi’s team and denying him another chance at the continental title.

The peak of the pain came in 2014 when Messi and Müller faced each other in the most important match of their careers: the World Cup final at the historic Maracanã Stadium. Germany stood as an obstacle to Messi’s dream of lifting the trophy at that time. Although Müller did not score in the final, his team snatched victory in extra time, causing one of the saddest moments in the history of Argentine football. This defeat was a deep stab to the heart of the Argentine star.

The series continued in 2020 when the world witnessed the harshest defeat in Messi’s career in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, as Bayern Munich, led by Müller, crushed Barcelona with a historic 8-2 scoreline. Müller scored two goals in that match, which became synonymous with Barcelona’s total collapse and marked a turning point that later forced Messi to leave his boyhood club.

With the highly anticipated 2025 MLS Cup final between Inter Miami and Vancouver approaching, Messi is finally seeking redemption, while Müller aims to deepen Messi’s wounds once again.