It was going to take something absolutely extraordinary to uproot Lionel Messi from the forefront of the international football community’s mind. He has been dazzling us for months and notably of late, dancing circles around the competition in a beautiful and powerful display of technique, ability, and precision. Arsenal? No problem, here’s 4 goals. Real Madrid? Nice try. Could anything top this man’s 2010 party? Many, myself included, though it likely to be nothing short of the World Cup final itself. But if you can believe it, all that dominance has been snubbed by an upstart 19-year-old from North London’s OTHER club, Tottenham.
Struggling to stay in the race for the final Champions League qualification spot in England, Spurs entered the always fiery North London derby with Arsenal depleted and battered. Harry Redknapp was forced to make 5 changes on the back of FA Cup elimination to lowly administration-ridden Portsmouth. Krancjar, Corluka: injured. Palacios: suspended. Ledley King back and out of fitness. Enter a number of necessity-driven changes, perhaps most inauspiciously the young winger Danny Rose making his Premier League debut. Arsenal had its injury problems too, but still fielded a powerful squad chasing to stay in the league title race.
Then this happened…
Yes, that was direct off the volley. Yes, it was from 25 yards out. Yes, he has only played in the Premier League for nine and a half minutes prior to blasting this wonder strike. Did I mention Danny Rose is 19 years old? Instantly, the goal of the year trophy flashed before every discerning football fan’s eyes. What it also did was something that seemed impossible 9 days ago when Messi blasted in four, or even as recently 5 days ago when the Argentine international led Barca’s classy destruction of La Liga rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico: It back-burnered Messi’s international dominance and stardom, even if only until the next Barcelona match.
So, perhaps the best question after all this is. . .What will Messi do next to steal his spotlight back?
Written By Michael
DiAmore
(23 Posts) |
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