Some players are just destined for greatness from the moment they step on the pitch, their debuts so magnificent the entire stadium recognizes the kid on display is special. Like a 17-year-old Alan Shearer netting a hat trick against Arsenal in his debut, some introductions are seminal events that will never be forgotten.
Jesús Vallejo did not have such a debut for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.
Ever wanted to know what a locker room looks like after your favorite stars are done with it? Well, it’s a bit like learning how the sausage is made — probably something you’d rather not see. The Barcelona locker room was left a nauseating mess after the team’s 3-0 win over host Murcia in the Copa del Rey fourth-round match on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi turned in a Midas-like performance in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final — everything he touched turned into gold. He opened the scoring for Barca in the 30th minute with an unstoppable effort from 18 yards out, he was heavily involved with a “hockey assist” in Neymar’s goal and then he settled the match before halftime with a sublime feed for Paco Alcacer and Barcelona’s third.
Outside of these pivotal moments, Messi was unplayable. He registered 101 touches in the game, including four key passes, four shots and a staggering nine successful dribbles.
After Barcelona battled with 10 men for all but 36 minutes, two moments of brilliance from Lionel Messi led to two goals. The second coming from a through ball from Messi that Neymar calmly slotted into the opposite side netting to seal the deal at Vincente Calderon Stadium.
Neymar celebrating his goal which afterwards he said: "Se acabo!" (It's over!) #fcblive [efe] pic.twitter.com/IAsMqJ2mDH
Is there anything he can't do?! No. Is this his best goal ever? WE DON'T KNOW. This Lionel Messi goal in The Copa Del Rey final just might win the award for the greatest La Pulga goal ever. But what about his goal vs Getafe? Or when he ended Jerome Boateng? And dozens of others that we simply just can't mention because then this post would get way too long. Here's the deal. Messi is the greatest player of the generation. I don't think most players would even try to do what he did in this goal, let alone actually pull it off.