Unlike Balotelli, who faced severe criticism in Italy for his lackluster performance in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, Lionel Messi received accolades from the Spanish and English media for his stellar display on Wednesday evening against Manchester City in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League.
Following disappointing outings in previous matches and certain statistical declines compared to his previous years, Messi had a perfect opportunity to silence his critics, especially after reports from the daily Marca, which labeled this season as his worst based on certain figures. Messi seized the moment by not only scoring Barcelona’s first goal but also by delivering a top-notch performance throughout the entire match.
The Argentine superstar’s performance earned praise from the Madrid daily, which described it as “grandiose.” Similarly, English tabloids unanimously lauded Messi’s display, labeling it as “magical.”
It’s worth noting that Messi’s goal against Manchester City was his 67th in the Champions League while wearing the Barcelona jersey, a remarkable feat and a testament to his extraordinary talent.
