We’re ten years into the era when Lionel Messi does things like this, and they just never, ever age.
Poor Celta defender Jonny Gomes was hung out to dry, put in a spin cycle, or any other laundry phrase you’re inclined to turn. That’s also Ray Hudson bwaaaaaaaahh’ing his approval when the reigning La Liga Player of the Month freezes the poor guy, dangles the cheese, and then takes it away.That led to this, the ensuing penalty, where Messi . . . passed?
Luis Suarez got the goal, his third of the second half of Barcelona’s 5-1 win. Messi passed on a penalty, and you incredulously ask, “what? why?” Here’s your answer:
Rather than disrespectful, suspect the Messi-Suarez Cruyff penalty was really the opposite - a celebration of Cruyff this w/e given his news
— sportingintelligence (@sportingintel) February 14, 2016
Former Barcelona player and manager Johan Cruyff took and sometimes scored a few penalties like that for teams during his career — like this one for Ajax in a game where they already led 5-0.
Cruyff is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer, and recently said he felt “2-0 up” against the disease. Cruyff is a legend on the Spanish coast, having scored 48 goals in 143 appearances for Barca in five years. So, more than showboatery, Messi and Suarez paid homage to one of the all-time greats. With Messi involved, you wouldn’t expect much less.
Grant Burkhardt is on Twitter @grantburkhardt and you can email him about the footie at burkhardt@the18.com
