The going gets tougher for Messi

Sparkplug Lionel Messi (right) is a huge reason Barcelona has scored 54 goals in 18 Spanish league games so far this season. Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images Gregory Sica's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Gregory Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

After a couple of years with nothing to show, FC Barcelona has finally been transformed into the most feared club in Europe. The Catalan giants have been nothing short of extraordinary this season, and if their magnificent form continues, they could be on track for a rare triple.

Despite the overwhelming depth in its star-studded squad, Barça's standout performer this season once again has been Argentine sensation Lionel Messi. The 21-year-old winger has been at his best, and is a major reason why the club has torn apart all opposition this season.

Many expected Barcelona to struggle with the departure of superstars Ronaldinho (to AC Milan) and Deco (to Chelsea), but it's been completely the opposite. Barça hasn't looked this strong in years, and many consider its success to be due to a solid group effort. Captain Carles Puyol has been a juggernaut on defense; both Andrés Iniesta and Xavi have been incredibly efficient in the midfield; while Samuel Eto'o has rediscovered his touch, and leads the scoring charts with 16 goals (Barça has scored a staggering 54 goals in 18 league games this season).

But Messi has been the biggest difference. With the promotion of Pep Guardiola to manager, La Pulga has been provided with all the necessary freedom to work his magic on the field, and he has used this to take complete responsibility of the side, to the extent that Roni and Deco have been completely forgotten at the Camp Nou, even if not too long ago, they were key players of the squad.

Some consolation for finishing second-best to Cristiano Ronaldo for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, Messi has been Barça's main inspiration this season. Not only has he impressed with his incredible high-speed runs and assists, but he has also found the back of the net on a regular basis, with 20 goals in all competitions. This has helped his team to a massive 12-point advantage over archrival Real Madrid atop the table. In the highly anticipated clash between the teams in December, Messi scored a classy goal in a hard-fought 2-0 victory in front of nearly 100,000 at the Camp Nou.

Messi has the opportunity to increase his goal tally during the return leg of the round of 16 stage of the Copa del Rey against Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. He scored a superb hat-trick in Barça's impressive 3-1 win in Madrid last week. Such a performance led to ongoing praise from the Spanish press, which even went so far as to call him an "extraterrestrial."

At this rate, it would be no surprise if Messi guides Barcelona to three titles this season (a rare feat for even a club of Barça's stature). As we reach the halfway stage of the Spanish league season, Barça is in a commanding position and is looking equally strong in both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. There's no question that the Blaugrana's main objective is Europe's ultimate prize. Having won the tournament in '06, they will be hoping to make the most of that valuable experience in order to claim the trophy for the third time in May at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

When the knockout rounds begin in late February, Barcelona will be up against an extremely difficult Lyon side. The French outfit has won the Ligue 1 title for the past seven consecutive years, and is likely to give Barça a run for its money. It will perhaps be Barça's biggest test of the season.

But with Messi on the field, Barcelona should prove too strong as it closes in on a quarterfinal appearance. From there, the opponent could be any of several high-quality teams, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, Inter Milan or Real Madrid. Yet based on current form, Barça is clearly the main contender for the title.

With so much at stake, Messi's influence will be vital for the success of the side. If he continues to make such a contribution, he could have an incredible year. Not only will he be expected to turn on the style with Barcelona, but also with the Argentine national team, which will be hoping to return to its winning ways when South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup resumes in March, with Diego Maradona as the new Argentina coach.

On Monday Maradona, arguably the greatest player in history, declared: "I would love it if Messi would become, not the new Maradona, but instead of this, better than Maradona."

In order to achieve such an accomplishment, Messi not only will have to perform at an extraordinary level for Barcelona, but he will have to lead Argentina to international glory -- essentially to a World Cup title in South Africa. (Maradona starred as Argentina lifted the World Cup for the second time in 1986.)

But the possibility to replicate what Maradona managed more than two decades ago is still far away. For now, Messi will have to concentrate on achieving as much success as possible with Barça. As the second half of the season approaches, Messi will be expected to establish himself as the best player in Europe. In order to do that, he'll have to continue to dazzle. With arguably the strongest Barcelona team in years at his side, he has few excuses.