Lionel Messi demonstrated why Barcelona are so desperate to retain his services with a stunning showing as the Catalans defeated Atletico Madrid 3-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday night.
Neymar and Luis Suarez had both scored to give the home side a two goal lead at the break, but a penalty from Mario Mandzukic pulled the visitors back into the game.
But with Fernando Torres thrown on and Atletico seeking a leveller, Messi poked home to ensure the points stayed with Barca, keeping them within one point of league leaders Real Madrid and moving them three clear of Diego Simeone's side.
The result was in stark contrast to what had gone before it.
Barca's players could have binged on food and alcohol over Christmas and they would have come into this match in better shape.
Since last Sunday they've lost to David Moyes's Real Sociedad; seen Luis Enrique and Messi's relationship edge towards divorce; sacked Andoni Zubizarreta from his role as sporting director; and president Josep Maria Bartomeu has called early elections to "lower the tension around the club".
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