Catalan giants Barcelona were once again treated to the familiar gratifying taste of sweet victory as they finally were able to enjoy a big win at Camp Nou, trouncing Eibar 5-0 with the relative ease and classy signature long associated with the club. At the same time, the victory conclusively dispelled the nagging concern that the club’s megastar and GOAT had perhaps lost his goalscoring magic and touch following his months-long drought as the man himself stepped out of the shadows in his characteristically creative and flamboyant style to hammer in 4 goals in no uncertain manner to once again silence the doubters and naysayers.
Honestly, nobody in their right minds should have any real reason to be really worried about Messi’s goal drought even if it had been his worst since the one he experienced in 2014. After all, he entered Saturday’s match with an impressive six assists in his last three league games and it wasn’t long into the match before the nous and unparalleled scoring touch of the Portuguese maestro began to manifest themselves to delight the legions of global Messi fans. It was as if the Barcelona Terminator himself had finally decided it was time to reintroduce himself to say, “I’m back!”
The first indelible goal arrived after 14 minutes, one definitely worth the long wait for all Messi diehards.The unflappable Barcelona captain nutmegged Anaitz Arbilla and then lobbed the ball over Marko Dmitrovic with a tongue-in-cheek Messi flourish. Two more composed finishes later, the Messi hat-trick was already neatly gift-wrapped for Barcelona with only 40 minutes registered on the clock.
Of course, Messi being the ever incorrigible Messi never known to follow the dictates of conventional thought or behaviour, he proceeded to add a magnificent fourth for good measure in the concluding minutes to rack up his tally for the season to 23 in all competitions. This latest goal-scoring spree now takes him five clear of Karim Benzema in the race for the Pichich despite missing the start of the season.
Undoubtedly the goals have arrived at a most appropriate time for Barcelona, with manager Quique Setien saying after the match that the win was “just what was needed,” adding that he’ll be hoping the GOAT can keep on producing the goods in what may well be a pivotal week for both coach and club. Messi and Barcelona face a crucial week with away games against Napoli in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga yet to come.
Moral of the story?
Never ever have the audacity again to doubt the immortal Lionel Messi!