On Saturday, Lionel Messi aptly wrapped Barcelona’s 26th La Liga title by coming off the bench to score the goal in a 1-0 win over Levante. Barcelona is now the LaLiga champion for the eighth time in total of 11 seasons after finishing a 1-0 victory over Levante in front of a jubilant Nou Camp crowd and there can be no uncertainty who has been its star man.
Lionel Messi has yet again headed the way, scoring 34 times – comprising the decisive strike from off the bench on Saturday as well as setting up an additional 13 in 32 arrivals, on the other hand also making the difference with many late goals.
At the age of 31, the Argentina megastar’s role has reformed a little and Ernesto Valverde has done his best to afford him rests where probable.
That definitely seems to have assisted Messi’s efficiency. He is therefore far averaging a goal each 73.1 minutes, and if that figure were to keep on, it would be the second most active full campaign of his career.
Barca’s captain decided the game and the title in the 61st minute as he got a pass from Arturo Vidal, smoothly releasing himself from two defenders with his right foot in advance of using his left to plant the ball into the far lowest corner.
He had beign on the bench beside with Sergio Busquets as Ernesto Valverde had one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Liverpool.
Valverde told the reporters “Messi was always ready to come on and I always knew he was going to play but we also have a game on Wednesday. He has to stay active and he scores goals everywhere he goes and he has won us this title.”
He further added, “It is very difficult to win this title, without the amount of teams we are competing with, especially with this margin. We have done it two years in a row and it’s fantastic to see the fans celebrate the title like this at home. Now we want to go and celebrate it.”
Messi, has come to be the first player to win 10 La Liga crowns with Barca as well the only third player from any club to do so. After winning, Messi lifted the trophy into the sky before joining his team members and their children on a lap of honour.
“They turned us upside down and I think that was down to nerves. They had a few chances but it was incredible when they hit the post. We couldn’t kill the game off and they started to believe while we get more nervous but luckily we were able to see out the win.” Valverde added.
Midfielder Busquets also said, “Eight out of 11 titles will be very difficult to repeat because La Liga is so difficult, it has the best teams, the ones that are always fighting for European trophies so what we have done is historic,”
“The players and the fans should enjoy this night without going over the top,” added Ivan Rakitic.
