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#1 Lionel Messi
Who is the best player in the world? How good is he? The best in the world bar none. These statements are just a few from the giant encyclopaedia of Lionel Messi quotes by great commentators and great players. Messi was in terrific touch in his game vs PSV on matchday 1 and he was even better against Tottenham. The English media went completely berserk on witnessing Lionel Messi’s masterclass while the Spanish media and Barcelona fans witness it week in week out.
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Lionel Messi was visiting Wembley, a place where he has been before on the ultimate stage of the Champions League. While it was a young 24-year-old Messi, who put in a masterclass against Manchester United then, it was just a 31-year-old Messi against Tottenham this time. Messi was off and running from minute one of the game, being involved in all aspects of the game, even tackling. The Tottenham defence had no answers to Messi’s through balls.
Messi’s first through ball came with a terrific vision, right into Jordi Alba who pulled back for Coutinho to finish. Messi tried to turn in several passes straight into attacks. He just turned away from the defenders with ease but was tackled down. During the second goal also, Messi put in a crucial lobbed through pass straight to Suarez, who failed to control but eventually, Coutinho assisted to Rakitic. Messi’s ball caught the defence off guard.
In the second half as well, Messi was in his utmost genius mode. With Tottenham pressing high, Messi broke the defence apart along with Suarez. Messi went straight on goal from the wings with three defenders around. He tried to pass it sleekly past Lloris but the ball came back off the post. Messi got another chance, this time there were four defenders around and Messi had to pull the trigger from outside.
His shot, this time with more power, came off the face off the goal and out. With so much luck going against him, Messi the next time decided to trust his best on-pitch partner. Messi provided a brilliant ball to Jordi Alba beating everyone in the midfield and moved into the box. Alba found him with ease and with a sleek touch Messi froze Lloris on spot to get his first goal.
Leo weaved a neat through ball for Luis Suarez but it was hit straight at Lloris. Messi got another chance towards the end of the game, from Alba’s assist and this time he had a much easier finish past Lloris into the bottom right corner.
Messi displayed everything that he could on the day. Pace, dribble, turns, passes, shots, through balls, goals and whatnot. A terrific performance by Messi, which amplifies the degree of toughness for the Ballon D Or jury. Messi proved once again, that despite the award snub by FIFA, he is bigger than the award. The best performer for two consecutive matchdays, against two quality oppositions. Lionel Messi just celebrated a day of footballing genius.
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