Lionel Messi is immune to intense pressing, as Gareth Bale found out in last night's 1-0 El Clasico defeat last night.
When Messi picked up the ball in the middle of the park in the first half, the Welshman relentlessly harried him in a desperate attempt to regain possession.
With Luka Modric also getting in the face of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Bale had a few nibbles but as per usual, Messi's close control was just an absolute joke.
Messi casually evaded the challenges like there was nobody there and then just popped the ball off to Ivan Rakitic in between the lines.
Bale had a night to forget at the Bernabeu as Santiago Solari made the decision to pull the 29-year-old winger from the match on the hour mark.
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The former Spurs man was replaced by Marco Asensio and the Real faithful let their feelings be known by loudly booing their No.11 as he left the field.
Bale can at least feel a bit better about himself knowing that his teammate Dani Carvajal also got ruined in the first half.
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Messi invited the Real Madrid right-back to come in for a challenge but as he aimed a kick on the Barca skipper, he ended up getting sent to the shops following the 31-year old's perfect shielding of the ball.
Probably best off to stay away from Messi and avoid being mugged off, isn't it?
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, El Clasico, Messi, Lionel Messi, Santiago Bernabeu, gareth bale, Spain, Spanish football, La Liga
