MESSI HELPS BARCA THRASH REAL MADRID
Argentine scores off a penalty as the tourists score a convincing 3-0 win and also take a giant step in winning the La Liga title.
Barcelona have taken a giant step towards the La Liga title with a 3-0 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in Real Madrid The visitors were at their best and with this win, Barca have shown that they have take a giant stride towards winning the La Liga title.
And the performances of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could not have been more contrasting.
Ronaldo started the game the brighter of the two players but, by the end, Messi’s class prevailed.
The Barcelona man lashed home a second-half penalty to help inflict more misery on Zinedine Zidane›s Los Blancos side.
And it was he, rather than Ronaldo, who looked worthier of being crowned the world›s best player.
Ronaldo had the chance to fire Madrid in front early on but the 32-year-old kicked at thin air.
1 of 11Barcelona then made him pay with Suarez and Messi putting them to the sword.
Ronaldo today was frustrated. He tried everything to haul his team back into the game, shooting at every opportunity.
Messi, contrastingly, was calmer. He played with the air of a man who knows he will not be criticised for focusing on others rather than himself.
It is, unfortunately, a sign of the times.
The duo’s rivalry has spanned over a decade but all signs point to a final chapter being written in the foreseeable future.
Ronaldo no longer looks the Real deal. The Portugal international was slower, less intelligent and more erratic than his Argentine rival.
Reports have claimed the former Manchester United star wants to leave Real unless he is given a huge, £500,000 a week contract.
But on the basis of this display, it would be wrong. Messi, over at Barcelona, warrants his paycheque. e now has 14 league goals for the season. Ronaldo, contrastingly, have four.
Barcelona bettered Real today and Messi bettered Ronaldo. The two players’ careers are on different paths and their El Clasico rivalry may be coming to an end.
Earlier, Barcelona were getting ready for arguably their toughest test of the season when they come up against their bitter rivals in 24 hours time.
They currently lead Real by 11 points in La Liga, however Zinedine Zidane’s side have played a game less and could build some momentum with a win at the Bernabeu.
The Catalan club have looked at their best so far this season, dropping just six points through 16 games. AGENCIES