It was a UEFA Champions League semi-final week and while Ajax continued on creating surprises by defeating Spurs away from home by 1-0, all eyes were on the start studded semi-final clash of Wednesday, 1 May night.
Both the teams share the same number of UCL titles (5) and with both running high on attack minded football, they are favourites so far to lift the trophy on 2 June in Madrid.
With the Liverpool defence being on top featuring the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, the battle was expected to go down the wire. But all of that stood for nothing when it came to Barcelona’s ace of spades, Lionel Messi.
Messi wreathed havoc on the Liverpool back-line to inspire a 3-0 win in the first leg as he scored two goals towards the end of the game.
Though Messi’s first goal was a tap in off Suarez’s attempt that bounced back off the crossbar, his second goal of the night, also being his 600th goal for Barcelona was the one that grabbed everyone’s attention.
Liverpool conceded a free kick in the 82 minute and the Barca skipper took it in style, skillfully placing it in the top right corner, finding space between the few inches of gap between Alison Becker’s gloves and the goal post.
Fans and the whole football fraternity took to twitter to bow down to Messi’s genius.
Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand posted his video alongside former England legend, Gary Linekar from the commentary box at Camp Nou where both were seen celebrating Messi’s 600th goal.
Club President, Josep Maria Bartomeu also took to twitter to praise his captain on the feat.
One fan posted on twitter the amazing fact that 1 May 2005 was the day when Messi scored his first goal for Barca and exactly 14 years later he has completed his 600 goal tally.
Some players also took to Instagram to praise the Argentine skipper.
One Twitter user posted a screenshot of Marseille’s, Mario Balotelli’s Instagram story in which he wrote, “For the love of god, please don’t compare Messi to Juventus number 7 anymore.”
David Beckham also posted a story on Instagram with the caption reading, “Wow @leomessi.” The screenshot was shared by the fans on twitter as well.
Even Liverpool coach couldn’t help but smile, even though Messi’s 600th goal being a setback for his team’s Champions League hopes.
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