Barcelona on Saturday clinched their 26th Laliga title against Levante as Lionel Messi’s strike was enough to give the home side a deserved 1-0 win over Moses Simon’s club Levante.
Messi’s lone goal in the 62nd minute set a new Laliga record as he becomes the player with the highest number of goals as a substitute in the 21st century.
Barcelona went in pursuit of being crowned LaLiga Santander champions without Leo Messi in the starting line-up, as Ernesto Valverde had opted to bench the star player and Sergio Busquets against Levante, in a game that they needed three points.
With Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final coming up on Wednesday, the Barcelona coach was eager to keep the Argentine fresh.
The first 45 minutes ended goalless as Levante failed to threaten the Barcelona defence all through the half.
In the second half, Messi showed that he was still the star man in the Barcelona team as he came on to score the all important goal that gave the title to the Catalans.
The Argentine came on in the 46th minute for Brazil international, Philippe Coutinho and got on the score sheet in the 62nd minute after a wonderful play from Ousmane Dembele before being assisted by Arturo Vidal.
Dembele opened up the Levante defence with a run into the middle, but he and Suarez were unable to forge a way through to goal.
Vidal ensured that the visitors did not break out and he forced the ball towards Messi who took one touch to control before placing his strike into the bottom corner of the net, beating the hand of Aitor.
The visitors piled on the pressure and kept Barca pinned on the edge of their own box.
Bardhi launched an effort towards the target that struck the inside of the post before bouncing safely into the hands of Trer Stegen
The game saw a lot of chances but the solitary strike from Messi was enough to give the Blaugrana the deserved victory at the Camp Nou.
Focus would now be on Liverpool’s game on Wednesday as they hope to keep the treble hopes alive.
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