Messi: Not long ago I was a disaster

Posted Thursday, March 19, 2015 by Goal.com

The Argentine has played down his fine form of late but admits that he is feeling confident heading into Sunday's crunch Liga clash with Real Madrid

Lionel Messi has joked that he has suddenly gone from being a disaster to back to his best after a fine display in Barcelona's Champions League win over Manchester City.

The Argentine set up Ivan Rakitic for the only goal of the game at Camp Nou as the Catalan side beat the Premier League giants in both legs, winning 3-1 on aggregate.

And Messi was full of praise for his side and City goalkeeper Joe Hart, but played down reports that he is now back performing at the peak of his considerable powers - just a couple of months after his attitude and form were being questioned by the press.
"Not along ago, I was a disaster," he told Canal+. "I’m not going to be a disaster and then suddenly in my best moment.

“Hart saved everything. We did everything we could to score more goals, but their goalkeeper had a fantastic game, so we have to congratulate him.

"But we were able to go through and that was the most important thing.

"We played a great game. We are at a very good level and there are important games ahead – Madrid, the quarter-finals… I am feeling good and enjoying myself, but there is a long way to go."

The attacker is looking forward to Sunday's Clasico clash with Real Madrid and feels his side are in good form.

"We started the year in a different way, with our hopes and dreams renewed. We have started well. We have had our ups and downs, but there are a lot of games and the important thing is that we are at a great level and we have to stretch that run.

"We have a lot of respect for Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo. Madrid are even more dangerous like this. We can’t say if they are in good or bad form.

"Individually they have impressive players and they could be even stronger than usual. We will try to play our natural game."