Lionel Messi fittingly scored the goal which ensured Barcelona retained their LaLiga title.The Argentina international was rested for the first half of Saturday’s clash with Levante as coach Ernesto Valverde had one eye on next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool.But he was introduced at the start of the second half and went on to net the winner – his 34th league goal of another outstanding season.
![Lionel Messi celebrates with the Liga trophy](https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/GettyImages-1139685726.jpg?strip=all&w=960&quality=100)
![Barcelona players celebrate with the Liga trophy](https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/GettyImages-1145508131.jpg?strip=all&w=960&quality=100)
When you win your 10th La Liga title and get to celebrate it with the ones you love most. #WeColorLaLiga pic.twitter.com/XUFhW9rzUl— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2019However, it was far from straightforward against opponents who belied their position just three points clear of the relegation zone with a bold display which could, and probably should, have earned them a point.Philippe Coutinho looked to be giving that little bit extra with a visit from his former club on the horizon and he could have had a first-half hat-trick as Barca’s best chances fell to him.The best by far was a 25th-minute free header eight yards out which he directed straight at Aitor Fernandez, having seconds earlier failed to properly test the goalkeeper when finding space on the left of the penalty area.Coutinho also hit the crossbar with a free-kick having taken responsibility off another ex-Red Luis Suarez, who was first to test Fernandez with a shot on the run he took early to catch out his opponent only to see his effort turned behind.Messi replaced Coutinho for the start of the second half and was soon into his stride, although a run and low shot was comfortable for Fernandez, while Ivan Rakitic bent a shot just wide.There was, however, only one man who was going to score the goal which retained the title and in the 62nd minute Messi struck, controlling Arturo Vidal’s header with one touch back onto his left foot before placing a shot beyond Fernandez and inside the far post.
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