Messi es la diferencia / Messi is the difference

By Dominic Vieira, writing from Lancaster, England

Messi. The back of the shirt says it all, Messi + 10, that’s FC Barcelona. A world class team, there’s no doubt about that, 8 of the starting players are World Champions and both fullbacks are quality. But the real difference about this side will be that short and shy, highly talented Argentinean walking onto Wembley tomorrow night. All eyes will be staring and admiring him, with or without the ball, Messi possesses the capability to produce a goal out of nowhere. He’s the team’s deadliest weapon, United’s greatest fear and the one who can decide this epic final. London, get ready!

Barcelona is not a one man team, the game does not revolve around Messi, it orbits around the collective where all players are influential pioneers. However Messi is an exception, the club can produce dozens of Xavis, Iniestas or Piques, but little Lionel is a unique product from La Masia. There was only one Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona amongst several other ‘modernisme’ architects. They’re a different team without Messi’s presence and active participation; he’s the game-changer or the catalyst. But what transforms him into an exception is not his priceless feet, the records smashed or near perfection as a player; but his personality. He understands the importance of the team, one of the greatest things he said was “My interest is in the collective success of the team, not individual glory.” Remember, he’s still 23!

This is why it’s impossible to glorify Lionel Messi without commending his colleagues, after all somebody has assisted most of those 52 goals scored this season. Xavi, Iniesta and Dani Alves are the architects behind that incredibly high number. They may have produced the final pass for the ball to be slotted into the net, but dozens of the team’s goals originate from the back, whether it’s a Valdes goal kick or Pique marching forwards with the ball. On that note, the entire team is responsible for Messi’s goals and in a club such as Barcelona, no player is greater than the collective - the team. But if anyone is, it’s Messi, by a mile. 

The ongoing comparisons between Maradona and Messi are fruitless and pointless. They’re two players from distinct generations who have both produced (or producing) sublime history, they’re icons. They're Argentinean, both wear the mythical number 10 jersey and are fabulous footballers. Those are the facts and similarities. Maradona has acknowledged Messi’s potential: “Only at the end of history will we see who was the greatest, Maradona or Messi." Rather than proceed with the constant praises or debate, I’ll leave it to the wise words of the Messiah:

Even if I play for a million years I will never be near to what Maradona was as a footballer, and I don’t want to be near. He is the best player of all time. I don’t compare myself with Maradona, I want to make my own history and do something important with my own care.” - Messi

The principal concern for Manchester United is how they are going to stop Barcelona’s star. There is no direct answer, a player like Messi will shine, who is a natural performer and won’t disappoint his audience on a grand stage like Wembley. Real Madrid were efficient as they placed the aggressive Pepe to block him and tomorrow night Carrick must pay close attention to flamboyant forward. This player wants the ball, he’s hungry for it and the solution is limiting the number of times a successful pass reaches his golden feet. When Messi has possession he can be unstoppable, Ferdinand doesn’t have the pace to keep up and Vidic has been badly beaten on past occasions, e.g. Fernando Torres. But even without the ball there will be an alarming sense of insecurity, remember his goal in 2009? Completely unmarked, all the defence must be focused.

It’s true that Messi has yet to replicate his magnificent majestic performances for his country. The 2010 World Cup is a tournament to forget but there are plenty more opportunities such as this summer’s Copa America. It’s with the Barcelona colours where he’s consistently magical, playing like the best in the world and the best - win. The 23 year old is a champion and one who conquers titles along with the support and work of his team-mates. Messi is stupendously phenomenal and a joy to watch for anyone.

Lionel Messi is the competition’s top scorer for the third time running, equalling Gerd Muller’s record which was set in the 70’s during his glorious Bayern days. The player’s tally currently stands at a personal best of 10 goals and he’ll be seeking to increase that statistic tomorrow night alongside the collective achievements. In the 2009 final he scored an exquisite header against one of the world’s top goalkeepers, he may be on a 4 game goal draught but what will Barcelona’s number 10 do this time?