01.02.2011 11:50
Messi aiming to be top scorer
Jesús Carrillo
Other achievements may have overshadowed this, but Leo Messi is currently the leading goalscorer in the Copa del Rey with seven goals, one more than fellow Argentinian Ulloa (Almeria) and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (Madrid).
When FC Barcelona’s cup title defence was halted by Sevilla last season, Messi had particular
reason to feel upset. After causing such delight at Mestalla by beating Athletic Bilbao, Barça were
thrilled at the prospect of playing another final. It wasn’t to be, but spurred on by no
fewer than seven Messi goals, the team are now on the verge of compensating for last year’s
disappointment.
First against Ceuta
Barça’s cup run began against Division 2B side Ceuta, and the
Argentinian scored FCB’s fifth goal at the Camp Nou, having come on as a substitute in the
second half with the result as good as decided. Guardiola later explained that fielding the best
player in the world was “a little gift for the spectators.” Messi laid on the fourth
goal for Bojan before adding one of his own.
Hat-trick hero
Messi didn’t score against Athletic Bilbao, but excelled against
second division leaders Betis with four goals over the two legs
In the first leg in Barcelona, Messi claimed a hat-trick, his second in the cup after doing
likewise against Atletico Madrid in the 2008/09 season. In the return leg, he scored a decisive
goal after Betis had scored two goals that posed the threat of a shock comeback. Messi ran the
length of the pitch to convert a goal that as good as settled Barcelona’s qualification for
the semi finals.
Brace against Almeria
In the semi final first leg, Barça went 3-0 up in just a quarter of an
hour against Almeria. Leo scored two and Villa got another, while Pedro and Keita later added two
more that look to have done enough to ensure Barcelona are in the final against Madrid or Sevilla
on April 20.
17 cup goals
Messi has scored 17 goals in the cup since joining the first team. Until now, his finest season in
goalscoring terms was 2008/09, when he scored six. This year, he has already broken his record, and
still has at least one game, and quite probably the final, in which to extend it even further.