As Lionel Messi squared his penalty for Luis Suarez to coolly convert from seven yards on Sunday, social media erupted with reaction. Some were outraged by what they perceived to be an act of showboating and mickey-taking, suggesting that Barcelona were disrespecting their opponents. Others, like me, revelled and applauded the audacity and simplicity of the move. I don’t see how this is any more disrespectful than simply putting the ball on the spot and belting it into the top corner.
Barcelona’s 6-1 crushing of Celta Vigo was another example of the beautiful manner in which they play football. Neymar, a man who has frequently been accused of playing to the gallery and goading opponents with his ability, showed more of his tricks, including one ridiculous rainbow flick over the head of an opponent. In a game which so often frustrates and fails to entertain, surely we should be applauding such instances and delighting in the ability of a team full of geniuses. If passing a penalty is so hideous and disrespectful, then why is it not banned? As Robert Pires and Thierry Henry famously showed, it can quite easily be those taking the penalty who are left red-faced. In converting with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency, Messi and Suarez did not humiliate the goalkeeper, but demonstrated their skill, precision and understanding.
Arsenal face an extremely tough task when they face Barcelona in the last-16 of the Champions League. It would take a brave man to bet against the Catalans retaining the title they won in Berlin last June, especially given the irresistible form of superstars Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Suarez now has 39 goals in 35 games this season, an outrageous run of scoring. He is Europe’s premier centre forward, helped by having world’s best player supplying him with chances aplenty – Messi even giving up the opportunity to score his 300th La Liga goal in passing the penalty to the Uruguayan.
Another key cog in the Barcelona machine is Sergio Busquets, perhaps the finest exponent of the holding midfield role in world football at present. Serially underrated, Busquets’ use of a football is magnificent and his willingness to take the ball in tight areas is unrivalled. He has grown with the added responsibility placed on him since the departure of club legend Xavi. If Arsenal are to get past Barcelona, they must hustle Busquets and stop him from dictating the game – no easy task on a playing surface the size of the Camp Nou (and the Emirates).
The 2009 Barcelona, under Pep Guardiola, was frequently described as the greatest ever football team. I think the current Barca, under Pep’s former team mate Luis Enrique, would more than match that team. They are unbeaten in 30 matches, and don’t look like ending that run any time soon. Instead of complaining that they are disrespectful showboaters, we should marvel at their genius and enjoy the fact we are able to watch such elegance and quality on a football pitch.
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