Record for Messi as Barcelona cling on to fading title hopes
Lionel Messi made it 20 assists for the season in Barcelona’s stodgy 1-0 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday, even as his team’s La Liga challenge appears almost over.
Messi teed up Arturo Vidal’s winner at Jose Zorilla to become the first player to provide 20 assists in Spain’s top flight since Xavi Hernandez in 2009.
Victory for Barca means Real Madrid cannot clinch the title today by beating Granada, but only an incredible collapse will prevent them putting their name on the trophy later in the week.
If they beat Granada, Madrid will win La Liga by prevailing at home to Villarreal on Thursday, regardless of Barcelona’s results.
Madrid need only five points from their remaining three matches to secure their third La Liga title in eight years.
“To win La Liga, I don’t know, because our rival is winning everything,” Barca coach Quique Setien said.
Yet even as Barca’s turbulent campaign draws to a close, Messi continues to shine.
His pass for Vidal in the 15th minute triggered more remarkable milestones.
Besides matching the best La Liga total for assists by one player in the last 11 years, Messi extends his own careerbest number of assists in a single league season.
He also becomes only the second player in the 21st century from the five major European leagues to hit 20 goals and 20 assists in the same campaign, after Thierry Henry in 2002/2003.
Messi has halted negotiations to extend his contract, which expires next year.
And Setien’s position is under scrutiny, despite only taking over in January.
Third-placed Atletico Madrid made sure of their place in the Champions League next season with a 1-0 win over Real Betis.
Earlier, Celta Vigo surrendered a valuable point in the relegation battle by conceding to Osasuna, Jose Arnaiz sealing a 2-1 win. — AFP