Daily Lessons from Life 12 March 2013 - Football: Magical Messi sends Barca into quarter-finals

"Football: Magical Messi sends Barca into quarter-finals - AFP 12 March 2013

BARCELONA: Lionel Messi produced an inspired performance as Barcelona progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday, beating AC Milan 4-0 to overturn a 2-0 first-leg defeat.

Messi's form had been questioned by some after Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Real Madrid and looked demoralised in going down to Milan at the San Siro, but the criticism seemed to spur him on as he tore the Italians apart from the start.

He scored at the beginning and end of the first half, while David Villa hit a special goal for himself 10 minutes in the second period after a long run of bad luck with injury and form.

That put the Catalans ahead in the tie for the first time, before Jordi Alba netted in injury-time to seal a 4-2 aggregate win and a place in Friday's quarter-final draw.

On a personal level, Messi's brace saw him reach yet another landmark in an incredible career.

He now has 58 Champions League goals, two more than Ruud van Nistelrooy, and his target now is Raul's all-time best of 71."

Very happy to learn that Barca and Messi are back in the winning way after a dismay run of 2 defeats recently.

Lessons for me are:

1. a talented footballer with the right head on his young shoulders is a rare gift nowsaday. I truly like this young man and wish him all the best;

2. I am absolutely sure that he is performing at this incredible level due to his humility, his respect for himself, and the knowledge that he can be a lot more than just a footballer making big money. He is an idol of many young footballers around the world. He is different from many wayward so-called football stars!;

3. it is always great to watch a team or a person defying the doomsayers in magical manner. Indeed sports can teach us a lot of good virtues. Working hard and smart. Never give up until the game is officially over. Of course, at the end of the day, knowing that whatever it is, a football game is just a game to be enjoyed - winning or losing!

May Barca and Messi go far in this year Champions League!