₦airaland Forum

Three years later. Thought to share this fairly recent piece about Messi's goal in 2015 here. Enjoy

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Messi's most famous goals are the audacious solo goals against Madrid, getafe and bilbao. It takes a highly skilled dribbler to embark from the halfway line, taking on one high profile athlete after the other, until the keeper comes out, only to get slain like his peers. Obviously difficult to pull off

But his second goal against bayern in 2015 is funny in its difference. The move starts out just shy of the penalty box and seems simple to execute. No feint, very delicate touches, no mazy run or change in pace except during the motion's benedictory scene. He baited boateng. In the hasty moments that ensued, the towering German could be seen sprawled prone, lulled fast asleep by the sport's most potent anaesthetic–a medication administered by two very light touches

With his territory breached, prime neuer was Liberated from his nest to neutralise the insurgence. Just then, Leo sprinted toward the oncoming giant, before lobbing the ball with his weaker foot. Another featherlight touch, but with effects so devastating that the ball leaped beyond both the bulky goal tender's flailing arm, and the defender who parkoured in a futile bid to obstruct it from crossing the line

Spontaneous. Dinked just high enough to elude the German fortress. But the payload delivered from that angle, at the right weight, with precise accuracy. They are four touches that don't look strenuous. You can only guage how outrageous they are by their hypnotic effects on their victims. Martin Tyler rightly called it "astonishing". There is a level of proficiency where you do things others can't, perhaps more importantly, with aplomb and apparent ease