It's pretty safe to say that a week can make a big difference in the world of football. Just ask Lionel Messi.
Seven days ago, the Argentine was being expertly marshalled and stifled by Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci as Juventus nullified Barcelona at the Camp Nou, dumping the La Liga champions out of the Champions League.
Fast forward a week, however, and Messi has won an El Clasico at the Bernabeu in the most dramatic fashion possible, scoring his 500th Barcelona goal in the process and has tonight added 501 and 502 to his tally, against Osasuna.
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And goal number 502 arrived in a typically ferocious manner.
Another one: The Argentinean Genius celebrates scoring his 502nd Barcelona goal. Images: PA
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With bottom of the league Osasuna coming out all guns blazing at the beginning of the second half at Camp Nou, pulling a goal back to reduce the deficit to 2-1, the La Liga leaders were briefly looking vulnerable. However, an Andre Gomes effort soon calmed Catalan nerves, before Messi set about his business.
Having scored in the first half, the five time Ballon d'Or doubled his haul for the evening by slaloming across Osasuna's defence and propelling an Exocet of a shot past a helpless goalkeeper.
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Barcelona's Carlton Banks sized genius has made a habit of scoring against Osasuna, as the Catalan giants exhibited with this goal filled compilation video:
Can Barca's number 10 inspire them to yet another La Liga title?
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: FC Barcelona, Football, Lionel Messi