Football is owned by Messi
Another historical night, another work of art which we will not forget. Football is owned by Messi and on Sunday he once again explained that to the planet with one of the most memorable performances in a Clasico. Leo fired his final, lethal bullet in the final second of the game, corresponding with his legendary status at Barça and in the sport. Everything good Barça did in the game was to do with this little giant, who once again kept the team alive when they were on the brink of the abyss.
Leo’s involvement devastated Madrid, who should have ended the first half with two players less: the referee let Marcelo off for an elbow on Messi and didn’t show Casemiro a second yellow card for his persistent fouls on the Argentina when he was beaten by him time and again. Messi was able to infiltrate Madrid from the get go and his position allowed him to do so much damage to a Madrid side that once again demonstrated they’re a worse side when the line up with the BBC in attack. Once again Zinedine Zidane put diplomacy over meritocracy, picking Gareth Bale when he was clearly not fit. The Welshman was taken off with a calf injury in the first half. What’s true is that Barcelona went out convinced in their plan and, with the exception of some turbulent early minutes, got on top of Madrid. They would have deserved to be in the lead at the break.
Madrid gave the sensation of danger, but the play was always Blaugrana. Despite that domination, Barça weren’t able to kill the game once they went 2-1 ahead and then, with a man more, they disconnected and conceded an equaliser. Against 10 men and with the game won, Luis Enrique’s side suddenly resembled the same team that succumbed to heavy defeats in Paris and Turin. Everything seemed lost, except for Messi, who read Sergi Roberto’s bestial run in the final seconds when time was almost up. The thrilling finale will serve as a reminder to the absentminded that it’s the players brought up at the club who produce the results.
Messi’s stellar performance, like a meteorite, left a trail of messages. The first, to the club, who must close the contract renewal that all of Barcelonismo is screaming out for. Another one was for Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he undressed once again and reminded that, no matter how many Ballon d’Ors they both win, he can never even aspire to live in his shadow. And finally he told everyone that, above all, he’s Barça: the impressive photograph of him with the Blaugrana shirt looking at the Madrid supporters is already a piece of Barça history. Football can be marketed to unbearable extremes, but Leo still feels strongly about the shirt that he sweats and even -- as was the case in Madrid -- bleeds in. Messi is Barça. Barça is Messi.
