La Liga 18-19: Barcelona 2-0 Atletico Madrid - 5 taking points 

#1 Lionel Messi continues to impress

FC Barcelona v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga

Despite turning 32 in a couple of months, Lionel Messi continues to wow and perform at an unbelievable level.

The Argentine icon is the leading goalscorer in the Champions League, La Liga as well as leading the way in terms of assists in Europe, and with the monstrous form he is in, it was expected that he would be the spearhead if Barcelona were to get anything from the clash.

As it happened, Barcelona's record goalscorer did not disappoint, as he sent his statement of intent early in the match, playing in Jordi Alba through with a delightfully weighted trademark lob which the left-back could only smash against the post.

Seeing Atletico's incredible resilience, Lionel Messi took matters into his own hands, dropping deep to influence proceedings and could have grabbed a couple of assists but for erratic finishing from his teammates.

The five time Ballon d'Or winner was a constant menace to the Atleti backline, wriggling his way around but was denied by some inspired goalkeeping by Jan Oblak.

Messi was however not to be denied, as he showed some nimble footwork to wrong foot Oblak and take him to 33 goals in the league and 43 in all competitions.

With this form, Messi it is going to take something special to stop him and you can be sure that this would be at the forefront of Champions League opponents Manchester United, whose manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in the stands.