This weekend, on Saturday, all Spanish football for this season will wrap up when the final for the Copa del Rey is played and the champions crowned.
The game, which will be held at Camp Nou, will see the cup’s two most successful sides lock horns for the 2014-15 title; Barcelona, with 26 wins, and Athletic Bilbao, with 23.
Having won La Liga, and with a Champions League final date with Juventus fast approaching, the Blaugrana will hope they overcome Ernesto Valverde’s side in order to achieve the glorious treble.
The Catalan giants will welcome back Luis Suarez to the squad having recovered from injury in time for the tie, however, the club’s most vital player for Saturday’s encounter was already fit and ready to be unleashed: Lionel Messi.
The Argentine has long been Athletic Bilbao’s worst nightmare, hunting them down and punishing the club from Basque country in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
In fine form this season, and this year, Athletic Bilbao is one of La Pulga’s favorite opponents. In 21 encounters with the four-time Ballon d’Or winner, Athletic have managed no wins, registering only 4 draws and conceding 15 goals at the Argentine’s hands.
Athletic Bilbao, one of Messi's favorite opponents
Teams against which Messi scored in most games: 14 | ATLETICO 13 | Real Madrid 13 | Athletic 13 | Sevilla 12 | Getafe
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) May 17, 2015
The Argentine is in fine form this season...
Leo Messi this season: 55 games - 56 goals - 30 assists pic.twitter.com/P9u0XEu9C2
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) May 24, 2015
and this year
Messi has scored 28 league goals in the year 2015, more than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues #fcblive [via sq]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) May 27, 2015
In 16 games in Liga BBVA, Leo has scored 11 goals, and recorded 10 wins at home, a stat that should boost Barcelona’s confidence for the final given it will be played in their very own ground. Messi also boasts an impressive goalscoring tally at home in the Copa del Rey.
Messi in Copa del Rey games at the Camp Nou: - 24 appearances - 19 goals - 7 assists - W18 D4 L2
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) May 27, 2015
In the tournament, the 27-year-old Albiceleste skipper scored in two separate finals against Los Leones, back in 2008-2009 and 2011-2012, whilst also netting a brace past Athletic in the 2009 Spanish Super Cup encounter.
And lastly, Athletic will clash with Luis Enrique’s crew on a day Messi loves the score.
Messi loves scoring on Saturdays
150 ― Messi has now scored 150 of his 410 goals for Barelona on a Saturday (in 173 appearances)
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) May 24, 2015
All this points to one thing, Athletic Bilbao should be afraid, very afraid of Lionel Messi.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
