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#2 Messi's Brilliance
Messi produced yet another man of the match display in helping his boyhood club get off to a winning start in LaLiga. The new captain showed that he still has the drive and hunger to win trophies at the Nou Camp and if he continues in this form for the rest of the season will surely collect a host of personal accolades throughout the year.
Barcelona had all the play but failed to breakthrough a well-disciplined Alaves defense for over an hour. By the time the clock had ticked past the 60-minute mark, there was a growing feeling that it would take a moment of magic to break the deadlock.
Messi had almost produced an opening goal in the first half when he slipped a ball over the Alaves defense for Suarez to run on to, but a lack of ball control from the Uruguayan spurned the opportunity.
A freekick from the Argentinian towards the end of the first half hit the woodwork and Messi could have been forgiven for thinking it might not be his day. However, in the 64th minute, 31-year-old stepped up for another free-kick a little closer to goal and slipped the ball under the wall to give Barca the lead.
Messi added to his tally in injury time, after playing the role of chief creator in setting up Coutinho a few minutes previously only for Alaves goalkeeper, Pacheco to produce a fine save.
His first LaLiga game as official captain of Barcelona was simply outstanding and Messi clearly remains the most important player La Blaugrana's squad for the new season.
