Like i say he most probably is. Just not a striker for me like people were insinuating earlier. Though I don't think Ronaldo is as far behind him as people are saying.

Messi and Mourinho in the same match?

I hope the tissue-makers can cope with the demand from the UK TV commentators.

I agree with Robbie he is just "Messi"

Might be alone in thinking this but i don't think Barca have been particularly impressive tonight. Thought they were better in the 1st leg. They have taken their chances very well but Arsenal gave it to them on a plate in the 1st half

Warming up for Saturday?

Messi was brilliant, Barcelona just did what they needed to do.

Wenger cost Arsenal any chance of winning the tie by risking three of his best players in the first game, a fit Gallas, Arshavin and Fabregas in the team tonight and it might have been a different story. As it was Arsenal handed the initiative to Barcelona in the first match carrying too many passengers (look how they improved when the injured players limped off and players who could actually move came on) and the result of them aggravating their injuries was a thrashing tonight, and any chance of winning the PL going.

Wenger didn't cost Arsenal the game. They would have been hammered whatever their personnel.

If you watch La Liga, exactly *how good* Messi is will come as no shock. He's with Maradona and Zidane a level ahead of everyone else in memory. But it will also be no surprise how good Xavi is, head and shoulders above any midfielder in the world (except Iniesta, who was on Barcelona's bench tonight, who may be even better than him). Far better than Fabregas (who I rate, and may get to that level), and he makes Gerrard and Lampard look like Geoff Thomas and Carlton Palmer. Arsenal couldn't get the ball off him with ten midfielders, and when he can pass it to Messi, so much the better. To have three of the top five players in the world in tandem is pretty special, and it's only the Little-Englander mentality that gave such a flawed team as Arsenal even a puncher's chance. Inter might have a puncher's chance, because they're punchers. Arsenal aren't.

Merseyside Police have refused to comment on rumours that Rafa Benitez and Sammy Lee attempted to smuggle a corpse on board a flight to Europe at Liverpools John Lennon Airport.
The dead man was allegedly in a wheelchair and wearing sunglasses.
Liverpool FC quickly issued a statement rubbishing the rumour and claim that Alberto Aquilani was definitely alive when they signed him in the summer.

Not true. The campaign for Rooney to be regarded as teh best player in the world, has been orchestrated by the English media. Previously it was Ronaldo, and before that it was Henry.

Don't let that stop you spouting your usual tripe though

I'd go with this from the start:-

VDS
Rafael, Vidic, Rio, Evra
Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Nani
Berba

If it is not working by HT then stick another striker off and take off one the midfield three.