Sometimes words spoken or written can come back to haunt you.
In the case of Santiago Solari, he may never have anticipated a 2012 column written for El Pais would resurface at a rather inopportune time.
Ahead of three El Clasicos within a month, words from the Real Madrid boss on a certain Lionel Messi have been dug up.
In it, the Argentine offers a glowing tribute to the Barcelona icon and even suggests his compatriot is on a different level to eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Scoring is intrinsic to Messi in the same way that storms, lightning or hurricane wins are atmospheric phenomena,” he wrote.
“Every time Messi receives the ball the earth shakes, everyone is silent and rival coaches sink their heads between their shoulders and put their hands in their pockets, like someone who has just seen lightning and has no choice but to wait for thunder. The air trembles a few seconds. Then the goal is heard.”
Barcelona or Real Madrid? 🤷♂️
— Goal (@goal) February 6, 2019
The Catalans coach says Lionel Messi won't make a difference. pic.twitter.com/INzqNICKzD
Nice words of course but here’s the kicker…
“Cristiano is the best player in the world because Messi plays another sport. The really incredible thing about him has been his tremendous stability the last four to five years, a thing of not stopping, something practically inhuman.”
Solari will be witnessing first hand the magic of Messi when he takes in his first Clasico clash as head coach. Messi is an injury doubt for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday but should he not make the Camp Nou fixture, he will be back for the return leg and La Liga game in the next few weeks.
