COMMENT: The Barca star had what was paradoxically his best and worst game of the season, while those complaining about Qatar and Russia should look closer to home
Let’s get the awkward facts out of the way. Lionel Messi surrendered possession in the run-up to Manchester City’s goal at the Etihad which leaves the English champions still in with a chance in their last 16 tie against Barcelona.
Then he missed a penalty when better candidates were on the field and ready to take it. Worse still, he missed the subsequent opportunity to follow up Joe Hart’s save with a lamentable off-target header.
Taken in isolation those were three pretty ordinary moments. And as Messi, along with Gerard Pique, trundled through the media area in Manchester with faces like thunder you can be sure that the Ballon d'Or runner-up was not thinking about his masterful performance in the first half but letting opportunities to quell City's challenge slip through his fingers.
Paradoxically, Messi’s performance against City was easily his best of the season and represents his evolution under Luis Enrique. The goals had been slowing down. There were signs that he was not enjoying his game. There were hints he was no longer enjoying Barcelona. However, Messi has surrendered part of his ego to Luis Enrique for the sake of the collective.
He is probably no longer the best in the world in the position of centre forward but there is no other player on the planet who can do what Messi can a little futher back. In previous days a switch to the right wing was enough of an affront to have Messi clocking in half-hearted displays. Now it has reinvigorated him.
Up front and meekly disinterested for large parts of the game, it was easy to lose sight of the attributes which mark Messi out as one of the best of all time. In a deeper role, his dribbling, his through ball ability, his balance and ease in dictating the pace of play are all again apparent. He has the enthusiasm of his 21-year-old self but the experience and know-how of a veteran.
Barcelona have occasionally failed to fire this season; no surprise seeing as they are engulfed in institutional chaos. Messi, though, unifies the team and with him playing so well they can win every match. There is undoubtedly an improvement in Messi’s attitude and talk of a détente between the No.10 and Luis Enrique would appear to be accurate.
Now Messi must go the whole way. His dictatorial tendencies again surfaced on Tuesday and cost Barcelona. He should not have taken that penalty, not with a record as patchy as his and a technique that is still clearly a work in progress. He should have taken more care in possession with Gael Clichy in attendance. And he'll know that. He'll learn from this and a more ruthless, selfless Messi may be in development.
