
It’s almost as if he knows it’s Ballon d’Or season.
Lionel Messi has now hit a ridiculous nine goals in his last six La Liga games, after coming up trumps for Barcelona once again to see off Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday night.
Lionel Messi’s game by numbers vs. Atlético Madrid:
99 touches
66 passes
23 duels contested
9 take-ons completed
3 shots attempted
2 tackles made
2 shots on target
1 match-winning goalJust Messi things. 路♂️ pic.twitter.com/oEV1sT4Wpe
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 1, 2019
It was far from the best game you’ll see this season, with Atletico getting the better of the first half and Barça edging the second, but there wasn’t much to separate the two as the game entered the dying stages.
Well… there was Messi.
Big win for Barcelona tonight. A good sign for tomorrow, Messi’s 6th Ballon d’or.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) December 1, 2019
️ — Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid): “It’s always difficult to play against Barça, they have the best player in the world.. Leo Messi.”
— Barca Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 1, 2019
The Argentine number ten, seeing the scores still level in the final five minutes, drove forward into the Atleti half, and played a one-two with his partner in crime Luis Suarez.
Receiving the return ball on the edge of the area, the little magician stroked a deft effort beyond the despairing Jan Oblak, sparking scenes of jubilation in the visiting ranks as they returned to the top of the division ahead of Real Madrid – who had beaten Alaves on Saturday.
If Messi goes to Paris for Ballon d’or , it will be disrespect to him.
If France football really cares,then they should come to Camp Nou and award Ballon d’or to Messi . pic.twitter.com/KDTQez3AvR— LaPulga (@leonista19) December 1, 2019
Guillermo Amor (director of institutional and sporting relations): “Messi’s brilliance decided the game.”
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) December 1, 2019
The win was ground-out by Barça, and wasn’t without its controversy. Plenty of on-lookers felt Gerard Pique merited a second booking.
The central defender was earlier booked for a rugby tackle on Joao Felix, and walked the tight-rope throughout the second half, some feeling he was given an easier ride by officials since he was already on a booking.
Lmao if it’s a foul then why it’s not another yellow card for Pique? He already gave yellow cards for less than this lol!! La Liga refs are something else
— OMAR. (@Omaaar96) December 1, 2019
Mateu Lahoz should have sent off Pique and he knows it. So when Vitolo clattered Pique, he dare not send off Vitolo either. One bad mistake cancels out the other.
— Andy West (@andywest01) December 1, 2019
Messi was the goalscorer, but there was another man fans felt were an unsung hero.
Simply the greatest.
Kept us in the game with an astonishing performance so we could go up the other end and win it.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, I love you. pic.twitter.com/1SGiwjcmuV
— totalBarça (@totalBarca) December 1, 2019
Barcelona have an aging, over-the-hill squad, plenty of easily manipulated deficiencies and weaknesses, and a manager who should’ve left 7 months ago.
But as long as they have Lionel Messi and Marc-André Ter Stegen, they’ll always have a shot at La Liga and the Champions League.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 1, 2019
Both Messis won it for Barcelona. The one on goal and the one upfront. Ter Stegen exceptional in two occasions. Messi used well one of the few FCB counterattacks of the game. Atlético deserved more#AtletiBarca
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 1, 2019
No goalkeeper on the planet comes close to ter-Stegen.
— totalBarça (@totalBarca) December 1, 2019
Ultimately, the win sends Barcelona back to the top of La Liga despite a testing start to the season. Not bad for a club in crisis.
Barca is top of the league,
Barca beat Atletico Madrid at their home,
Messi scores his first goal at Wanda Metropolitiano,
Messi now has 30 goals against Atletico Madrid,
Barca fans are sleeping good tonight.
Barcelona FC – More than a club
— Dynamic V – Oyem Victor (@IamDynamicV) December 1, 2019
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