Messi's Maradona moment

Barcelona midfielder Lionel Messi cemented his reputation this season as one of the brightest stars in world football with a goal nothing short of spectacular against Getafe. Comparisons to the Maradona wonder goal from the 1986 World Cup against England are justified as the move started virtually on the same spot on the pitch.

Xavi slipped Messi the ball behind the midway line in a rather awkward position with a defending closing him fast. The Barcelona midfielder jinked the ball right foot inside and slipped the challenge. A second defender challenged Messi immediately and Messi cleverly dribbled behind his legs to open up space.

From that moment it was a horse race. Having failed to clear the defender, Messi still had work to do. In full sprint Messi remained harried down the pitch but showed excellent poise and control to maintain possession.

At this point was what I think was the cleverest bit of the entire goal. In a sprint with the defender Messi chose to drive the chasing defender into the one in front of him and with a slick junk inside evaded the final defender and was thru on goal with only the keeper to beat.



Lesser players would have just smashed at goal figuring their chances were good enough. Not Messi. One final fake right and the keeper was beaten. A defender managed to get back in time and could have spoiled the brilliance but it was Messi’s moment as he struck across the goal from a tight angle to score. Every bit as good as Maradona’s.

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