Lionel Messi helped spark the Barcelona comeback that saw them emerge 2-1 winners against a tenacious Sevilla side. The Argentine also notched up his 500th career goal for the club.
Sevilla had the Blaugrana against the ropes, but the 29-year-old magician made sure that they didn’t leave the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium without all three points. Messi scored the equalizer late in the first half, and then provided the assist for Luis Suarez’s second half winner.
After the game, Messi was hailed from all corners of the globe for his virtuoso performance. An interesting comparison that a few people made was with his former teammate Xavi Hernandez. Messi’s great midfield performance and calming leadership led fans to state that he adopted the role of the Spanish legend against Los Nervionenses.
Spanish commentator on TV: “Today Messi was both Messi & Xavi. I don’t know what the limit of this genius is – or if he has one.”
Well said pic.twitter.com/W0ErKVbYIJ
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) November 6, 2016
Today’s game shows essential how Xavi was,keeping the ball and calming games like this.Thankfully Messi has adapted and now does it too.
— 10 (@Blaugranesque) November 6, 2016
MESSI playing like Xavi and MESSI in the same game?????? how did we deserve this man in our team??
— Dede Bella (@Didi_Bellagh) November 6, 2016
When Messi is so good that you watch the replay of his dribbling on your tablet in the middle of a game ????? pic.twitter.com/v4eEhYuHDA
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) November 6, 2016
Sampaoli: “We should have two Golden Balls every season, one for Messi and one for the rest.”
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) November 6, 2016
“He’s a 10, he’s a 7, he’s a 6, he’s an 8…” Guillem Balague on Sky, describing how Messi now plays pretty much everywhere.
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) November 6, 2016
Lionel Messi’s game by numbers vs. Sevilla:
83% pass accuracy
6 shots
4 take-ons
2 chances created
1 assist
1 goalAnother masterclass. pic.twitter.com/hMkLLcsmCa
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 6, 2016
Even by his standards, that was an absurd performance from Messi in the seconds of.
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) November 6, 2016
What a game #SEVBAR great quality, pressing, intensity from both & the genius of #Messi
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 6, 2016
Messi is joyous.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 6, 2016
Lionel Messi for @FCBarcelona:
Games: 592 ?
Goals: 500 ⚽️
Assists: 268 ?The Greatest of All-Time. ? pic.twitter.com/B8zFAQ3Tve
— SPORF (@Sporf) November 6, 2016
FT Sevilla 1-2 Barca. Sevilla were great for a lot of the game, but when Messi gets in that mood there’s not much anyone else can do.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) November 6, 2016
Messi does things in real life that you can’t do in video games… pic.twitter.com/oqt0x8QYhY
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) November 6, 2016
