Lionel Messi is every journalist's worst nightmare. His consistent brilliance routinely tests the vocabulary of every would-be admirer as they hesitate to cover well-worn ground. A genius. A magician. The greatest in the world. All overused, all true.
Tonight he scored the fastest goal of his career and his 100th Champions League goal. He played the game at his will, driving through the gears whenever it was called for. The game's master who makes fully committed professional athletes look pedestrian. Algebra in a world still learning addition. Tonight Barcelona won 3-0 against Chelsea, 4-1 on aggregate. Across both legs, Messi scored three.
Once again, the footballing world rose to praise his ability.
Messi.
Was ever an uncluttered author of superior precision named so inappropriately?
The perfection of the Pampas.
Makes the heart soar.#BARCHE #ChampionsLeague #Chelsea— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) March 14, 2018
Messi’s 100th Champions League goal clinches it, surely, for @FCBarcelona . He’s ridiculous and the difference tonight.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 14, 2018
Hope he's on this form in the World Cup. He was too young in 2006 and on the back of an injury, under a clown of a manager in 2010, and then unfit in 2014. The World Cup deserves an on-form Messi.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) March 14, 2018
Messi que un club
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) March 14, 2018
Twice he put the ball through Thibaut Courtois after Chelsea's flaying flailing defensive unit failed to get near him. The Argentinian is remarkable in that he looks more comfortable with the ball, seemingly at home leaving a bewildered Victor Moses on his backside as the ball riffled into the net.
Barcelona have already all but wrapped up the La Liga, yet there is some doubt as to whether they have the necessary capability to overcome some of the giants left in the tournament. Those are legitimate concerns, they may not have enough to overcome Europe's superpowers. But Messi does, and with him in the side, Barcelona are a unit fit to rival just about anybody.
