As Barcelona prepare for their Copa del Rey Final against Sevilla, the folks at FC Barcelona’s official YouTube channel have released a timely reminder for Sevillistas of their tormentor in chief, Lionel Messi.
Messi has scored 25 goals against Sevilla — 20 in La Liga, three in the Spanish Super Cup and two in the European Super Cup. However, Messi’s most domineering performance against the side from Andalusia came at the youth level.
On May 15, 2004, Messi and his Barca teammates played against Sevilla in the round of 16 of the U-19 Copa del Rey tournament. It took Messi all of 25 minutes to score four goals and send Barcelona to the quarter-finals at the expense of a club that’s been cursing his name ever since.
U-19 Lionel Messi vs. Sevilla in the Copa del Rey
Messi’s first goal is an absolutely sensational volley, one that he’d be delighted to score on Sunday. The other three goals are crisp finishes following Barcelona moves that dissect Sevilla’s team.
It’s brilliant play from Messi and a warning to Sevilla: when the Argentine maestro is on top of his game, he’s simply unplayable.
The 2016 Copa del Rey Final will be the 114th edition of Spain’s primary domestic cup competition. The final will be played on Sunday, May 22 at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.
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