MADRID: Lionel Messi clinched an eighth La Liga title for Barcelona in 11 seasons, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at home to Levante, reported The Manila Times citing a dispatch by Agence France-Presse.
The Argentine star struck his league-leading 34th goal of the campaign after coming off the bench for the second half to help Barca wrap up the title with three games remaining, said the report.
Barca held a nine-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, but the Catalans could not be taken down mainly due to their superior head-to-head record, it added.
It was Barca’s 26th league title and nudges them closer to Real Madrid’s record of 33 in Spain.
“To win the title with a distance and gap is difficult with the rivals we have. We’ve done it two years in a row,” the report quoted Barca coach Ernesto Valverde as telling Movistar.
“We’re happy and to see people enjoying it makes us proud. But we still have challenges ahead.”
Valverde initially left Messi on the bench with the Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool in mind, but he replaced Philippe Coutinho at the break at the Camp Nou. (Photo: givemesport.com)
