Lionel Messi lit up the 2009 UEFA Super Cup in more ways than one, as he luckily avoided a sending off to inspire Barcelona to an extra-time victory in Monaco.

The match between the Champions League winners and the last ever UEFA Cup winners Shakthar Donestk was one which started very slowly on a less than perfect playing surface in Monaco. Chances were few and far between as both sides looked to remain solid in defense.

It was in second half stoppage time when newly crowned UEFA Club Forward of the Season, Lionel Messi went on a surging run through the Ukranian midfield and defense before finally seeing the ball poked out for a corner. However, in the aftermath of this incident, an altercation occurred between Leo and a group of Donestk players, culminating in Messi being shown by cameras to direct a headbutting motion towards Shakthar captain Dario Srna. Luckily for Barcelona, Messi was only yellow carded for the subsequent scuffle. it would appear that the headbutt went unoticed. If this should be the case, it remains to be seen if UEFA will take any further action upon the player.

The extra-time period continued in a similarly scruffy manner, but Shakthar Donestk substitute Agahowa was able to break into a one-on-one with Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes, but tamely stroked his shot too close to the Catalan shot stopper. Then came the game-changing moment, a flash of brilliance. In the second half of extra-time, with the game seemingly destined for penalties, Barcelona substitue Pedro Rodriguez picked up possesion on the left wing, passing into the feet of Lionel Messi. Then, the hot favourite for the 2009 Ballon D’or skipped between two Shakthar defenders and slipped a return pass through for youngster Pedro, who slotted the ball in to the goal to give Barcelona, and Leo Messi, yet another trophy to add to their ever-growing list.
 

Barcelona and Argentina Striker Lionel Messi, has been awarded UEFA Player of the Season and Club Forward of the season.

Lionel has been in tremendous form since he joined the Catalans club and looks set continue this after his two goals in the Final at the weekend. In the 2008/09 season, Leo scored 38 goals and played an invaluable part in the Champions League Final, scoring the winning goal.

The awards will add to his impressive collection and will more than likely add more too his name with years to come.

Rival Cristiano Ronaldo, will now have to earn his title back, which will provide some exciting battles ahead this season.

Barcelona faced Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening, with the winners receiving the Supercopa de Espana.

The result ended up a phenomenal 5-1 in aggregate in favour of Barcelona. With the first game wrapping up 2-1 to the Catalans side, there was a real buzz around the side with the chance to win the trophy back again, after not winning it since 2006.

In the second leg, a second half Brace from Leo Messi, saw the aggregate score go to 4-1 and Bojan Krkic sealed the victory in the 72 minute. Messi goals will be featured shortly in the videos section with one of his finishes being an absolute screamer.

A great start to the season for Barcelona, they are so far on track to beating last seasons wonderful success.

Chelsea and England Star, Frank Lampard highlighted Manchester Uniteds weakness after the sale of Ronaldo to Madrid, Frank believes that there is only one player in world football at this present time who could replace Ronaldo and that is Leo Messi.

With United losing 1 – 0 to Premiership newcomers Burnley in midweek, a creative spark is needed in the midfield to break lose and Frank was quoted as saying “You don’t replace him [Cristiano Ronaldo], apart from with Messi – he is probably the only player you could do it with,” to Sky Sports.

This is not the first time that Lampard has had complimentary words about the Argentine. Prior to Barclelona’s many clashes with Chelsea, Frank has labelled Messi as “One of the best players in the world”, and “The stand out dangerman”.

In an unexpected announcement, both Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were announced to have recovered from their respective injuries and played 45 minutes in a friendly against Manchester City, a match for pre-season trophy, the Gamper Cup.

Messi has said to have recovered from an injury to his left leg that had kept him out of a 2-1 Spanish Supercup first leg victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and an Argentina friendly last week. It remains unclear if he will still miss Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon. Ibrahimovic, is also now ready to make his debut with the kings of Europe after recovering from surgery on a broken bone in his left hand.

Barcelona lost this game 0-1, through a first half strike by Martin Petrov. Lionel Messi showed his class in the 45 minutes he was given in the second half, and was undoubtedly the stand-out player on the pitch. His best moment came in stoppage time, when he skipped round Stephen Ireland before shooting against the post from 20 yards.