Impressively, after playing the first UEFA Champions League match with Munich's "Bayern" and scoring two goals, Lionel Messi, the leader of "Barcelona," received a flood of huge compliments.
In three minutes, the Argentine twice outwitted Manuel Neuer. The forward opened the score with a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, and soon after, with a masterful solo run, "broke both legs" of the awkward Jerome Boateng, laid him on the ground, and passed the ball past the goalkeeper.
In the race for the most prolific player in Champions League history, L. Messi surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo, who had just become the leader a day before. The Portuguese scored in the semifinal match against "Juventus," his 76th accurate shot. The Argentinian from "Barca," after two shots on the "Bayern" goal, now has 77 goals to his name.
"I won't say what I think about Lionel Messi. The result 3:0 hurts. Congratulations to "Barca." It is a great team with many capable players," - said former "Barcelona" player and now Munich's "Bayern" coach Josep Guardiola at a press conference held after the match.
By the way, just before these matches, the Catalan emphasized that "no defense can stop Lionel Messi." These words from the strategist proved prophetic and were fulfilled at the "Camp Nou" stadium.
"Bayern" goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who missed two Argentine goals, also acknowledged the genius talent of the Catalonia superclub: "Sometimes you just can't do anything when players like Lionel Messi attack you."
"Bayern" defender Mehdi Benatia, whose defensive error led to L. Messi's goal and a successful pass by Dani Alves, did not lose optimism before the second leg of the semifinal match in Munich, but still admitted that it "will be very, very difficult" for his team to make a comeback.
"Our opponents have a genius named Lionel Messi. He came and immediately turned everything upside down," said the German team's legionnaire.
"Barcelona" defender Gerard Pique praised his team's defensive work - "Bayern" players never managed to shoot at Catalonia's goal during the entire match.
"J. Guardiola knows L. Messi's abilities very well. He also knows that Leo is unstoppable when in good shape. His two goals are a football feast," said the Catalan.
Sergio Busquets openly referred to L. Messi as a "guarantor of victory": "He not only scores goals but also provides assists to his teammates. That's a huge work. He is simply the best in the world."
"We have Lionel, and that's our advantage. The match was not easy, and we put a lot of effort into it, but then Messi came and said his word. All the work was confirmed with two excellent goals," - echoed his teammate Javier Mascherano.
"Barcelona's" head coach Luis Enrique reiterated the phrase said about the Argentine player: "Lionel is a player from another planet. But let's not forget that the whole team played amazingly. We gained an advantage by putting together a solid team, but I don't think we already have a ticket to the Champions League final in Berlin."
Also, NBA star Kobe Bryant, currently playing players Didier Drogba, Romelu Lukaku, Lukas Podolski, Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley, Christian Benteke, football legends Gary Lineker, Thierry Henry, Franco Baresi, and many others admired the leader of the Catalonia team on social media.
fcbarcelona.lt
