The tremendous Lionel Messi effect on team-mates and rivals
On comes Messi off the bench and suddenly everything changes
It’s sensational, worthy of study, how the mere presence of a player on the pitch can change not just results but the attitude of their team-mates and opponents. But this footballer is not just anyone, it’s the best player in the world - it’s Lionel Messi. We saw how important he was at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday night.
He just has to warm up and suddenly you can feel the change in atmosphere. Betis players started to look towards the touchline more than usual, Barcelona players too. Betis were hoping it was later, rather than sooner, that Messi came on.
When he did the effect was immediate and devastating. He gave some small instructions to his team-mates and two minutes later he scored. The first to arrive to celebrate with him was Pedri. Jordi Alba grabbed his face, as if to say “do you realise what you’ve done with only two minutes on the pitch?”.
Messi continued his fine performance and Manuel Pellegrini began to hurt. “What do we do?” he wondered, asking his assistants. Their luck was running out. Ronald Koeman breathed easier. Even more so when Messi helped Griezmann for the second goal, put into his own net by Victor Ruiz.
After Trincao’s winner he yelled with delight but then told his team-mates to focus for the final minutes. And at full time, he was hugged by all who were near him. They knew it was he who made this victory possible.
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