April 6, 2010. Leo Messi amazed the world by scoring four goals like four suns against Arsenal.
The Same Situation Real Madrid Faces Today
It was the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. The same situation Real Madrid faces today with Arsenal.
The difference is that at Fly Emirates Barça did their homework by drawing two. Even though they let a 0-2 lead slip, with goals from Ibrahimovic. Cesc Fàbregas and Walcott achieved the draw.
In the return leg, there was no need to resort to heroics, although Arsenal took the lead on the scoreboard and also in the tie.
Barcelona vs Arsenal 4-1 Fox Sports (Relato Sebastian Vignolo) UCL 2010
But there was Leo Messi and his best version. One, two, three, and... four goals! to finish off the English team.
That day, April 6, 2010, Leo Messi at 22 years old, amazed the world. He was younger than Mbappé and Vinícius, but he led his team's victory over Arsenal with four great goals.
They Contested the Ballon d'Or That Year
Messi gifted Barça fans many matches like that which catapulted him to the Ballon d'Or. He also won it that year, although the criticism poured in from Madrid for not awarding it to a player from the Spanish national team.
Those were different times. Now they clamor for it to be awarded to a Spaniard and not given to the Brazilian Vinícius.
But who was capable then of rolling up their sleeves and solving a Champions League tie against Arsenal with four goals? Only him.
Today Real Madrid, with eleven players, has the opportunity to match the feat Messi achieved in 2010. Will they know how to do it? Messi showed them then that it's not that difficult.
Messi Showed It's Not That Difficult
Probably, if Madrid hadn't been humiliated in London today it wouldn't be necessary to rely on the fear factor or the favor of a frightened referee.
Barça didn't need it. Without penalties, the four goals came. But some will continue to think that Messi didn't win that match, Negreira did.
It's the consolation of the mediocre when they have no answer for their own miseries. But matches like this, without the need for a comeback, have remained for the history of soccer's greatness.