Dial 999: Gavi’s killing careers and has stolen Messi’s killer instinct

When most footballers step out onto the pitch, they have at least some modicum of respect for the opposition players, their careers and their livelihoods.

However, a Roy Keane or a Raul Garcia occasionally comes along with leg-breaking challenges and non-stop sh*thousery, attacking their opponents with the same gusto that a lion might use to attack a gazelle, but crunching tackles aren’t the only way to commit murder.

For years, Lionel Messi would kill the promising careers of most defenders he faced, dribbling past them with such speed and skill that they would trip over their own feet, falling to the ground humiliated.

In Barcelona’s first post-Messi campaign, it is the youngsters who have stepped up to fill the void of departed legends.

Pedri and Frenkie De Jong are replicating the extreme technical superiority Xavi and Andres Iniesta brought to the Camp Nou, whilst a 17-year-old wearing the No.30 shirt is giving the Blaugrana faithful a strong sense of deja-vu.

In Barcelona’s 3-2 comeback win away at Levante, it was young midfielder Gavi who took it upon himself to inspire the team to victory, whilst ending the careers of a few defenders on the way.

In the second half, with the team trailing, Gavi appeared as a substitute, and Levante didn’t know what hit them. Receiving the ball in the middle of the park, within minutes of his introduction Gavi knocked the ball past Pepelu with a touch so sublime that the Levante midfielder collapsed to the ground, desperate for the game to end.

Man took a nap pic.twitter.com/wr0lv9TYWT

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