Messi...

In Belper yesterday evening, I popped into a pub to watch the second half of Barcelona v Manchester City. Most matches disappoint, especially those that get top billing. Not this match, though: Lionel Messi was mesmerising. He’s not showy; he just seems to have more time on the ball than other players, and finds gaps that only he can see. He scored a hat-trick.

Pele called football “the beautiful game”, and, when Messi’s on the pitch, at least, it really is. Neymar waltzed around a couple of defenders, towards the end of the game, and, having waited a fraction of a second for the goalkeeper to commit himself, slotted the ball into the net. Everyone in the pub broke into immediate and spontaneous applause; that’s how good Barcelona were…

Oundle...