In this editorial, Xoel Càrdenas pays tribute to Lionel Messi, as Leo is the new goal-scoring king in the history of La Liga.
FC Barcelona returned from the international break with an outstanding 5-1 win against Sevilla at the Camp Nou on Saturday night: a night that belonged to Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi reached history in the 21st minute, as a free kick by the Argentina was beautifully over the Sevilla wall and past a reaching Beto for the golazo and the 1-0 lead. With the goal, Messi tied Telmo Zarra's record for most goals in the history of La Liga with 251 goals. Grande D10S!
Lionel Messi is now tied with Telmo Zarra atop La Liga's all-time scoring charts (251 goals). Here's how he did it: https://t.co/5ZAnNyowQt
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 22, 2014
In the second half, Sevilla equalized thanks to a sloppy defensive play by Barcelona, which lead to a Jordi Alba own goal. It was a complete defensive breakdown to make it 1-1. Just two minutes later, Neymar gave Barça the lead as his header via a free kick gave the home side the lead once again. It was Neymar's first ever Liga goal via the header. Ivan Rakitic made it 3-1 in the 65th minute as a lovely lob pass by Luis Suarez found the head of Rakitic. Respect to Ivan as well for not celebrating the goal against his former team.
In the 72nd minute, history was made...
Lionel Messi scored his 252nd goal in La Liga. Neymar with the assist. Leo's teammates grabbed him and lifted him up in celebration. History at the Camp Nou, as Lionel Messi writes another chapter in his glorious career.
Messi becomes the all time top scorer of La Liga and he is 27. Legend http://t.co/rBtsWNXyG3
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) November 22, 2014
To complete the night, Messi grabbed his hat trick in the 78th minute to make it 5-1. What a night!
Messi is class https://t.co/T7UDY2jsZX
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) November 22, 2014
Xoel's thoughts on Lionel Messi's historic moment
We, as a sports society and culture in today's social media-driven world, tend to only remember moments, and forget the every day things that makes our sports lives special. While YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social media has brought us videos, images, and tweets that keep memories alive forever, it also has led us to only remember those particular good and/or bad moments, and don't put things in perspective. For example, how many times have you heard people say "____ is the greatest _____ ever" and you cringe because that person is either too young or too ignorant to recognize that not everything that has occurred recently or over the past 10-15 years is not the definitive span of history. It's annoying, dumb, and it is an example of what is wrong with today's society's idea of what history is.
#D10S RT @espnstatsinfo: Look at how young Leo #Messi is compared to other prominent record-setters in sports history pic.twitter.com/xBK6dqBwi3
— Xoel Càrdenas (@XoelCardenas) November 22, 2014
I'm 31 years of age, so I wasn't alive when Pelé was a footballer. Diego Maradona was past his prime when I was a child, remembering the few games I was able to see him play in the early 1990s.
For me to say "Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time" is easy because A.) I love Leo and FC Barcelona, and B.) I never saw the two other players that are considered the greatest play in their prime, only relying on word of mouth, highlights, and history books. But with all the records Lionel Messi has broken at his young age, with all the trophies he has won, with everything he has had to overcome in his life, and with all of the football historians and ex-football greats stating the same and not to mention the role model and humble person Lionel Messi is, I can say with confidence that Lionel Andres Messi is the greatest footballer the world has ever seen and maybe will ever see. I feel so blessed that I am alive to witness this era, and I hope you feel the same way.
Congratulations, Messi! as he becomes all-time La Liga scoring leader. http://t.co/JoEDdzLuqZ http://t.co/xptIZQck9j pic.twitter.com/tRty26IH2k
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 22, 2014
Lionel Messi will always live through our memories and on video, but it's not just because of the goals and the highlights that will make him the greatest of all time—it's also the every game things.
The fact that he is a great teammate.
The fact that he is not selfish and will look for his teammates.
The fact that he does not complain nor try to embarrass a teammate by getting angry on the pitch for the world to see.
The fact that Messi is not afraid of getting in an opponent's face to defend himself, yet he won't do that just to be tough. He'd only do it if the right situation came.
The fact that Leo is a trash-talker and backs it up on the pitch. Just ask Pepe.
#D10S is KING RT @geniusfootball: #Messi is the king. pic.twitter.com/d0o5HBGUcV
— Xoel Càrdenas (@XoelCardenas) November 22, 2014
Messi and his highlights will always be on YouTube, but don't let those things be the reason you cherish Leo. Cherish him for the every day things he does. For the great role model that he his, the great family man he is, for being so humble, etc. Even enjoy the training sessions he's in. We won't see a player like Lionel Messi ever again, so savor every thing he does and every moment he is in a football kit.
Para Thiago! RT @Argentina: [SELECCIONADOS] Lionel #Messi y la dedicatoria de su récord. http://t.co/bfMv4m78u0
— Xoel Càrdenas (@XoelCardenas) November 22, 2014
Lionel Messi continues to do the amazing: to continue to amaze the world when the world thinks it has seen everything from him. At 27, Leo has many years of football left; yet, it feels like Messi has accomplished things only a rare exceptional player in his late 30s/early 40s could only reach. There are still many more records for Leo to break, and more trophies to win. Messi will continue to inspire us, and it is our responsibility—we, true fans—to put his accomplishments in the right perspective. We are living in the Messi era, and we will be the ones that will give justice to Messi's greatness as we all get older to tell new generations about Lionel Messi's legacy. It is on us to not let Messi's legacy rely on his highlights, as great of highlights as they are. Messi's legacy is more than highlights and stats. Messi's legacy is everything he has done, the present, and what he will do to inspire us in the future both on and off the pitch. Lionel Messi is a legacy.
Tweets via @barcastuff:
Tw Rafinha: "Congrats to the greatest player in history... Leo Messi" pic.twitter.com/zLuTtXCOCe
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 22, 2014
Tw Suarez: "Great game and 3 very important points!!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Leo, keep on making history!!" pic.twitter.com/K8MXfACk3K
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 22, 2014
Ig Neymar: "Congrats for tonight, this was football history!! A honour to play by your side... CRACK and IDOL!!!" pic.twitter.com/ztdV0tiLnm
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 22, 2014
Lionel Messi overcame great odds, illness, moving to a new country and new continent, being away from his family, competing with others at La Masia, and so many other things to become the greatest ever. Leo has truly been blessed, and by his blessing, we have all been blessed to witness the rise of a legend.
Messi is now the leading all-time scorer in La Liga...at the age of 27. Proving the impossible is indeed possible.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 22, 2014
There will always be people that will say Lionel Messi still needs to win the World Cup to truly be the greatest ever. Yes, a World Cup win would solidify the argument of Leo being the greatest ever. But for me and for most of the footballing world, the verdict is in: Lionel Messi is King of Football Kings. 253 goals and counting in La Liga.
We love you, Leo.
Thank you for bringing us so many great moments and for the everyday moments some of us may take for granted.
Thank you, Leo, for being a great role model who inspires us that anything is possible.
Thank you, Leo, for the future happiness you'll bring us as well.
Most of all: Thank you, Lionel Andres Messi, for simply being you.
Eres el mejor de todos los tiempos.
You are the greatest of all time.
#SiempreMessi
Messi Top scorer of La Liga ✓ Top scorer of UCL ✓ Top scorer of Clasico ✓ Top scorer of Barcelona ✓ What a legend http://t.co/1LgLmGqDe8
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) November 22, 2014
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Poll
How do you rank your list of the top three footballers of all time?
Pelé, Maradona, Messi
Pelé, Messi, Maradona
Maradona, Messi, Pelé
Maradona, Pelé, Messi
Messi, Pelé, Maradona
Messi, Maradona, Pelé
Other
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