THE La Liga title race is set to go right down to the wire with four teams battling for the top spot and according to former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta and ex-Sevilla striker Fredrick Kanoute, a motivated and in-form Lionel Messi will give the Catalan giants the upper hand going into the final stretch of the season.
 
Messi has been the key to Barcelona’s title charge. The Argentine has been in top form this season, scoring 28 goals in 32 La Liga games.
 
“Definitely, with the kind of form Messi is in and how motivated he looks, he is vital for Barcelona’s performance especially going forward. It is also kind of contagious when the players see their captain and leader motivated. And yes, in the second half of the tournament, he has been in unbelievable form,” said Mendieta—a La Liga ambassador—during a virtual interaction earlier this week.       
 
Kanoute too felt that with Messi in top shape, Barcelona might have a chance of winning the league this season. 
 
“Barcelona have come back strongly and Messi is in top shape again. Even [striker Antoine] Griezmann is starting to get into good shape, they might have a chance,” said Kanoute, a La Liga ambassador.

Former Sevilla striker Fredrick Kanoute (left) and former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta