Last night's El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Bernabeu will go down in history as one of the greatest ever duel's between Spain's top two clubs.
There will be arguments made about which one of the endless highlights was the best part of the match; Was it Ivan Rakitic's screamer that fired Barca into a 2-1 lead? Sergio Ramos' moment of madness that saw him sent off? Maybe Ronaldo's abysmal attempt at a bicycle kick, Messi's magic equaliser, or, of course, the last-gasp winner scored by the diminutive Argentine.
Incidentally, Ronaldo has this reaction to Messi's moment of magic...
Credit: Twitter
The definitive answer as to what was the most enjoyable part of the contest was, of course, Messi shithousing the Bernabeu faithful by holding his shirt aloft in front of them when he secured victory for Barca with the last kick of the game.
You don't elbow him and expect to walk away unscathed..! #Messi #elclasico https://t.co/i8GowrK9q3 pic.twitter.com/eycUR6oi7j
- Jaideep Pal (@Jaideep_JP) April 24, 2017
Now, this is not being said from a biased point of view, but there is a lot to be said for any player taking great joy in deliberately rubbing the noses of the opposition fans in it after seeing them off in the final seconds of a match.
Messi's goal, his 500th in a Barcelona shirt, sends Luis Enrique's men back to La Liga's summit, albeit having played a game more than the club from the Spanish capital. More importantly, it also spawned a series of memes, which are in fact better than the goal itself.
Proof that Bernabeu is Messi's home. #ElClasico #Messi pic.twitter.com/KHaLgKTGVg
- Nothing But Goal :soccer: (@NothingButGoal) April 24, 2017
pic.twitter.com/wz803rySfe
- El Paquito (@padiru48) April 23, 2017
Who did this :joy::joy::joy::joy: #Messi #ElClassicoNight pic.twitter.com/ZcDgi1Oh5G
- Naija Boy (@OsasCruz) April 23, 2017
Lo voy pillando... pic.twitter.com/HAkuTgZ8vM
- El Paquito (@padiru48) April 23, 2017
Detallazo. pic.twitter.com/yR1m6iVaYz
- JustetJustet (@JustetJustet) April 23, 2017
La camiseta se mantiene sola! pic.twitter.com/kgJdXodhgA
- gazpacho (@gazpachoblog) April 23, 2017
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner really did make the Bernabeu his house last night. Not for the first time in his career, either.
The result now means that Barcelona have moved back to the top of La Liga, but for how long? Real Madrid are second, level on points and have a game in hand.
Real Madrid could play two more games than their biggest rivals, with the club still in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Barca's only game outside the Spanish top flight is a Copa Del Rey final against Alaves.
To the wire it goes.
Words: Joe Baiamonte
Featured Image Credit: Twitter
Topics: Barcelona, Messi, Lionel Messi, Real Madrid