Messi treble is perfect order for Martino's last-chance saloon

The majestic attacker was the saviour as his compatriot stared down the barrel of an early exit from the Spanish title race

By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent


When it comes to Clasico football, there has never been anyone like Lionel Messi. And as the world wakes up to the morning after the blockbusting night before, Tata Martino will be celebrating that fact more than anyone.

The Argentine coach admitted that his Barcelona side faced a make-or-break moment in their title assault away to Real Madrid on Sunday night, and for long spells it seemed his worst fears would be realised. But Messi’s mesmerising show kept his compatriot dreaming of a Liga crown and an invite to continue in his job beyond this summer.

"This is the last chance we have. In the final rounds teams don't falter so often"

"This is the last chance we have," admitted Martino in his pre-match press conference. "After this round there are nine games left and cutting the gap to one point is not the same as it remaining four or even stretching to seven. In these final rounds teams don't falter so often."
And he was right. Moreover, a failure to win La Liga would more than likely see him shown the door. As such, Sunday’s game was monumental for Martino. But for as long as he remains in his current role, he will always have the ace up his sleeve that is Lionel Messi.

There can be no denying that things have been a little different at Barcelona this season. They are no longer considered the most fearful outfit in Europe, sit in third place in the Spanish league, and there have even been huge question marks about the club’s ethics in the midst of the Neymar affair. Tactical and technical shortcomings also appear more obvious, more prevalent, than in recent years.

But one thing that remains the same is the genius of Messi. Sure, two of his goals in the 4-3 win at the Bernabeu came from the penalty spot, but he deserved every bit of the magnificent hat-trick which sent him into the record books as the highest goalscorer in the world’s greatest footballing rivalry.

Martino had seemingly made a number of poor decisions, most notably the one which gave Neymar a starting shirt despite his current rut. Alexis Sanchez – the match-winner in the previous Clasico – has been in infinitely better form of late, while Pedro’s guile and skill was also sadly lacking. The Argentine had gone for the big-name option and looked set to pay the price.

With Barca trailing 2-1, Messi made his first great intervention by pouncing on a loose ball in the area and lashing home beyond Diego Lopez. After the break, he would hit two unstoppable penalties to reverse a second one-goal deficit. But it wasn’t just in his goals that he made the difference.

MAGICAL MESSI IN NUMBERS

	374	TOTAL BARCA GOALS
	347	COMPETITIVE BARCA GOALS
	400	TOTAL COMPETITIVE GOALS
	21	GOALS IN CLASICOS
	34	GOALS IN 2013-14

In general play, the No.10 was simply magic at times. It was his vision and pass which opened the space up for Andres Iniesta to give the Blaugrana an early lead. His sensational through-ball to Neymar took out three Madrid players as the Brazilian won a penalty.

Messi was the man making all the right moves in between the lines as the home defence was pulled out of shape. Had Neymar been on his game, the Argentine’s movement alone might have contributed to at least two more goals.

Barcelona’s current position in La Liga is proof enough that this hasn’t been their best campaign in recent memory, and Martino’s position will rightly continue to be questioned right down to the final day of the season. But Sunday night was just the latest reminder that it is Messi – not Martino – who will dictate whether the boss is back for a second stint next term.

The coach's future couldn't be in better hands.