BEVERLY HILLS, January 07, (THEWILL) – Many fans of La Liga will agree that by the extremely high standards by which Argentine superstar Lionel Messi operates, this has been one of his least productive seasons since he burst to the scene as a young La Masia Academy graduate in the colours of Barcelona. His 10 goal involvements in the past 10 games in all competitions, where he netted eight and assisted two, still fall below Messi-level stats.
By extension, because of how the team is structured to orbit around his axis, it has been quite a struggle to get points from games that they previously would have comfortably put to bed without stress. Injury woes have added to a laboured side while change of coaches and preparations for the election of a new president all paint a picture of a club in transition from internal turmoil to stability.
However, there has been a gradual move towards balance. Part of this has been related to Messi getting some of his magic back. Obviously, the youthfulness and speed of his younger years have been taken over by the experience and art of an older player. His free kicks may no longer scare goalkeepers but the incisiveness and exactness of his passing remains a threat to any defense.
With every game, the improvements have notched higher. The upheaval caused by his dramatically faxed decision to leave the club in the summer behind him, there has been an uptick to his performance. Coupled with the newfound level of understanding with fresh teammates like Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, Danish Martin Braithwaite and Spaniard Pedri, the results themselves reflect the improvements. But, it has not been smooth-sailing.
In his absence, from an extended holiday he was granted by the coaching staff, Barca struggled to a draw against 12th-placed Eibar. The display apparently needed the injection of Messi’s brilliance but that was not to be as his absence meant they still cannot click for victory when he is not on the pitch. And that the team was still well off the pace in the 2020/2021 campaign.
Messi returned for the game against Huesca and was instrumental as his man-of-the-match performance let them win by a slim 1-0 margin. It was not a prime La Blaugrana display but the win was welcomed and the three points were fully embraced. However, on Wednesday, against 9th-placed Athletic Club Bilbao, Messi and Barca may have arrived at a turning point in their season.
Bilbao hosted Barca and in no time went ahead. A third-minute stunner by pointsman Inaki Williams gave the hosts a quick lead and put them on the front foot. But, Messi turned up the extra burners to inspire his side to a 3-2 victory.
The victory at Estadio San Mamés was glorious for the Cules for different reasons but most of all, for the quality Messi produced. He scored twice with a world-class performance that almost single-handedly gave Barca the game.
Bilbao’s new manager Marcelino Garcia admitted, in his comments after the game, that he hoped Messi was not going to be at his best on his first match back as Bilbao manager after stints at Villarreal and Valencia. It was not going to be a jolly first game for the Spaniard as Messi turned up.
“Before the game it crossed my mind that I wish Messi was not at his highest level on the day I had to go back to management.
“But that’s the way it was. In some situations we were able to do something else to avoid it, but he was the most successful player and determining factor of the match.”
Messi’s manager Ronald Koeman believes the mercurial Argentine is slowly getting back to his best after the quality of his entire game against Bilbao.
“Since the first day that I arrived at the club I think Lionel Messi has given everything.
“I haven’t been surprised by his quality because he’s obviously been showing how good he is for years. It’s possibly true that he’s been less effective than normal which is why there could have been doubts but he’s doing a lot better now, he feels comfortable at the moment and he feels up for the challenge.
“That’s how I feel. But I think Messi is the one who can answer that best.”
With the bounce back in his springy steps and the display and performance improving with the rash of games ahead, it is possible that Messi will once again lift the team and no one who knows what they can do on their good day will bet against their challenging for the title.
They are up to third on the log behind the pair of Madrid teams: defending champions Real Madrid and La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid. There is a lot more football to be played and Messi appears ready for the challenge. With him in this form, Barca can dream of trophies.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
