This was supposed to be about Thierry Henry making his emotional
return to Arsenal.
But instead the 22-year-old who has been called the best player
ever will take centre stage tonight.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta made the outrageous claim
about Lionel Messi, the precocious Argentinian forward and former
classmate of Cesc Fabregas.
Messi and Fabregas played in the same youth team at Barcelona
before, at 16, the Spaniard left his boyhood heroes to join Arsenal
where he has gone on to become captain and star player.
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But Messi has blossomed at Barcelona and this season has hit new
heights, being crowned World Player of the Year.
His brilliant recent performances have brought him eight goals
in his last three starts.
That is why Henry will get a hero’s reception on his homecoming
tonight, but all eyes will be on the player expected to be the big
star of this summer’s World Cup and held up to be a name as big as
Pele, Maradona and Cruyff in the future.
The only problem for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is he
believes Laporta’s claim has come too soon.
Guardiola said last night: “He is only 22, and handles the
pressure well.
“But it was wrong to say that at this stage. He is too young to
describe him as the best player ever. Over time, he can get even
better and prove that.
“I’m sure that when he finishes his career he will be one of the
best players in the world. Absolutely.”
Messi’s Barcelona team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic added: “Leo is a
fantastic player. Everyone who loves football or even those who
don’t understand football will think he’s a great player.
“He has already won everything and can get better.
“The biggest threat to him is the motivation and whether he can
keep going and improving at the highest level.”
Messi will have even more pressure on his shoulders as Barcelona
will be without key midfielder Andres Iniesta whose hamstring
injury may also rule him out of the return leg next week.
However, even the absence of Iniesta will not guarantee former
Arsenal captain Henry a starting place for Barcelona.
In fact, Spain under-21 star Pedro is expected to start with
Henry left on the bench. Guardiola hinted as much, adding: “He is
a player who still has Arsenal in his heart but we’ll have to see
who plays. It’s more important we do a good job for the club.
“He’s returning home but winning is the most important
thing.
“Titi has a lot of experience, he’s an exceptional player. He’s
used to playing in big games. He is the best player to have played
at Arsenal, scored more than 100 goals and he’s a special
player.”
But while Guardiola was rich in his praise for Henry, that was
nothing compared to his admiration for Arsene Wenger.
Ex-Spain and Barca midfielder Guardiola spent time at Arsenal’s
training ground, learning from Wenger earlier in his career.
Guardiola insisted he was one of the best coaches in the world –
but warned that Barcelona will leave emotion behind and says they
are going on all-out attack.
Guardiola said: “Mr Wenger is one of the best coaches in the
world, and has won many, many titles.
“He’s changed the mentality of this club and is the reason why
people around the world respect and admire him and Arsenal. They
are a phenomenal team.
“We all know that scoring an away goal is very important for the
away leg so we will have attacking intentions. We will also defend
well, but we will try to score – that’s our main idea.”
Cesc Fabregas is the big concern for with Wenger naming a 19-man
squad with youngster Craig Eastmond on standby for the bench.
Samir Nasri will step in for Fabregas if he does not make it
with Tomas Rosicky ready to, slot in on the right.
