Lionel Messi shows his priority is another Champions League trophy for Barcelona

The Argentine told the Camp Nou crowd in August that he hoped to bring back the famous trophy, and was instrumental in the Catalans’ 4-0 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven
EPA
Ben Hayward18 September 2018

Lionel Messi is staying true to his word. The brilliant Barcelona forward knows he has extra responsibilities this season, in his role as club captain, and his biggest aim is to lead his team to European glory once again. Going by his performance on Tuesday, he clearly means business.

The Argentine attacker told the Camp Nou crowd back in August that last season’s Champions League loss to Roma still hurt and vowed to do everything in his power to bring back the famous trophy at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

“Even though last year was very good because we won the Copa [del Rey] and La Liga,” he said, “it’s also true that we were all left with a thorn in our side in the Champions League and because of how we were eliminated. So we promise we will do everything possible in order for that cup, so special and so desired by everyone, returns to the Camp Nou.”

Messi and Barca have not won the Champions League since 2014-15 and since then, they have seen fierce rivals Real Madrid claim the trophy three seasons in a row.

That prompted former club captain Carles Puyol to question Barca’s priorities in May and on Tuesday, it was clear just where the Champions League ranks in Messi’s order of objectives this season. At the very top.

In Pictures | Barcelona vs PSV | 18/09/2018

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An early kick-off at Camp Nou meant many fans were not even inside the stadium for much of the first half and even up until the second, although more than 71,000 attended in the end to see yet another Messi masterclass.

PSV Eindhoven’s well-drilled defence made life difficult for Barca and there were few spaces for Ernesto Valverde’s side. Messi still found them, though, and one exquisite pass for Luis Suarez split the visitors’ back line in two, only for Luis Suarez to blast into the side netting.

When the breakthrough came, however, it was inevitably the five-time Ballon d’Or winner who provided it.

Messi hit a free-kick with his left foot which was still curling away from Jeroen Zoet when it pierced the top left-hand corner of the PSV goalkeeper’s net.

It was a thing of beauty and, of course, unstoppable. Like Leo at his best.

REUTERS

That was just after the half-hour mark and with 15 minutes of the match left, PSV were still in it, looking dangerous on the break and defending diligently in a performance which must have made former midfielder Mark van Bommel – who represented both of these clubs – very proud indeed.

However, football can be cruel and as PSV tired, Barca stormed to a comprehensive win late on. The bright Ousmane Dembele continued his fantastic form with yet another goal (his fifth in six games this term) as he rifled in a stunning drive from the edge of the box and after that, there was more Messi.

AFP/Getty Images

The Argentine latched onto a clever pass over the top from Ivan Rakitic to slot in his second and Barca’s third after Suarez had stepped out of the way and added another with a fine finish three minutes from time after an excellent ball from he Uruguayan.

EPA

PSV will wonder how they lost 4-0, but Messi’s eighth Champions League hat-trick made it a memorable night for the Catalan club and after a somewhat subdued showing by his special standards in the 2-1 win away to Real Sociedad on Saturday, this was very much a statement of intent from the 31-year-old. It is quite clear where his priorities lie this season.

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