The Champions League is back for what promises to be a highly entertaining one-month run from the round of 16 through to the final.

And while a lot of the world may be in flux, it’s comforting to know that there remains at least one constant: Messi making defenders look absolutely silly en route to scoring goals. Here’s what he did today against Napoli, a goal that put Barcelona up 3-1 on aggregate and likely through to the quarterfinals.

That’s a hell of a goal, with Messi beating five defenders singlehandedly (a few of them more than once) and then somehow, from nearly on the deck, slotting one to the far post. That’s a hell of a goal, and it’s the kind of thing that makes the Champions League such a special tournament. If only it were easier for more Americans to watch.

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About Jay Rigdon

Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.