Athletic Bilbao 0-4 Barcelona: Player ratings as superb Lionel Messi display helps Barcelona clinch Copa Del Rey title

Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi were in fine form for Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi were in fine form for Barcelona

Barcelona player ratings


Athletic Club v FC Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final
Athletic Club v FC Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - 6/10

The Barcelona goalkeeper had nothing to do all game as the toothless hosts only managed one shot on target.


Oscar Mingueza - 6.5/10

A solid outing from the Barcelona academy graduate. Playing on the right side of the pitch, Mingueza linked up well with his frontmen and was diligent at the defensive end of the pitch.


Gerard Pique - 7/10

A vintage display from the veteran defender. He orchestrated the Barcelona backline and was on hand to kill any attack the hosts mounted high up the pitch. Pique did well to limit Inaki Williams' influence before the striker was hooked off in the second half.


Clement Lenglet - 7/10

An assured display from the French centre-back. Playing on the left side of Barcelona’s three-man defense, Lenglet stood his ground against the opposition, who aimed to start their counterattacks with aerial balls. He was superb in the air, winning all his six attempted aerial duels, alongside two clearances and two ground duels.


Sergino Dest - 6.5/10

Playing in the right wing-back role, the USA international showed his ability to attack and defend exquisitely. He was denied a brilliant assist after Antoine Griezmann failed to convert his low cross into the box. Defensively, he was solid against the vibrant Mikel Balenziaga but later faded as the game wore on.


Frenkie de Jong - 8.5/10

A world-class performance from the 23-year-old. He covered virtually every inch of the pitch, winning tackles and kick-starting attacks for the visitors. He finished the game with two assists, and also got on the scoresheet himself.


Sergio Busquets - 7/10

The veteran Spaniard was solid at the center of the park as he kept play ticking all game. He was neat and tidy with his passes, and this helped win the midfield battle. However, he missed a chance to open the scoring shortly after the break, failing to find the target from point-blank range.


Jordi Alba - 7.5/10

Barcelona finally saw that Alba-Messi connection they’ve sorely missed. He was simply superb down the left flank and would finish the game registering assists for De Jong and Lionel Messi’s goals.


Pedri - 6/10

An uncharacteristically quiet night from the Barcelona youngster. However, he kept his play simple and did the needful to help Ronald Koeman’s men secure the win. He made one tackle in the game before he was replaced by Ilaix Moriba in the 81st minute.


Antoine Griezmann - 7/10

After a first half plagued by clear-cut misses, Antoine Griezmann broke the deadlock on the hour mark after tucking home Frenk De Se Jong’s cross. He thought he grabbed his second of the game to make the score 5-0, but it was ruled out for offside by the VAR.


Lionel Messi - 9.5/10

A nearly perfect outing from the Barcelona captain. He was a menace to Athletic Bilbao's defense as he constantly slalomed into their box with ease. Messi grabbed Barcelona’s final two goals of the game and was crowned the competition's most valuable player.


Player ratings for Barcelona substitutes

Sergi Roberto - 5.5/10

He was quiet after coming on in the second half, but played his part to see out the victory.


Ilaix Moriba - 5.5/10

The midfielder replaced Pedri with nine minutes on the clock but did not make a telling contribution.


Ronald Araujo - 5/10

He came on for Gerard Pique for the final eight minutes of the game but was sloppy on the ball. The defender was lucky not to make a costly mistake as Barcelona held on for a clean sheet.


Ousmane Dembele - N/A

The Frenchman came on in the 87th minute and made no impact in the game.


Martin Braithwaite - N/A

The striker was brought on as a substitute in the 87th minute.


Also read: Twitter explodes as Lionel Messi inspires Barcelona to 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in Copa del Rey final

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