When Messi showed the Bernabeu who's boss

To this day, no one really knows why Messi took his shirt off and showed it to the Bernabeu crowd, with a firm pulse and his head held high. But it is one of the most iconic images of his extensive career, which doesn't lack important goals and moments. It's been three years since that celebration, which then meant so much. The goal, the fight for the title, the fact that it happened during el Clasico... All those factors made Messi's celebration an instant icon. 

Let's rewind and put things into context. Real Madrid was close to winning the title when the Clasico came around, but Barcelona had one last chance to get back in the race. It was a memorable match. Casemiro opened the score, but Leo appeared out of nowhere and drew. Rakitic, 17 minutes from the end, scored and made it 1-2. But James, fresh from the start and with a chance to prove himself, drew the game in 86 and left the title virtually in Zidane's pockets. 

However, in the 93rd minute, just after the hosts had come close to making it 3-2, Sergi Roberto, as heroic as he was against PSG, outwitted Marcelo and mounted a fleeting counter-attack. André Gomes participates, Jordi Alba puts it back... and time stops. 

The Argentinean shot from the front, with a tight shot impossible for Keylor Navas to catch. 2-3.

 

April 23, 2020

It was one of the goals with the most direct positive consequences in his career. From re-connecting the team to the championship (although it was later conquered by Madrid), to scoring the 500th of his career, to the way it came about, as the last action of the match... For the match coming on Sant Jordi's day, a Catalan festivity. and for crowning an outstanding personal performance.

Messi has some iconic photos, from the celebration surrounded by fans after the Paris Saint-Germain win, or his celebration against Liverpool in the first leg of semifinals the Champions the last campaign. But it seems there is no image that matches this one. 

Three years have passed since that unforgettable celebration, and that Messi has rarely been seen since. But, of course, we are talking about Messi, it can never be ruled out that he will do it again or overcome it. But on that day, he showed the Bernabeu is boss.