This is one of the biggest fixtures in world club football, drawing in huge televised crowds from around the world and this particular match I was fortunate to watch in my local bar full of Catalans and a ginormous television screen that was nearly bigger than the wall in the bar. With Messi and Ronaldo leading their teams towards title glory it was a make or break game for Barcelona. Lose or draw and the title would most certainly go to Madrid, win and Barca were back in with a shouting chance with four games of the season left.

With 5 minutes to go the game stood at 2-1 to Barcelona and Real down to 10 men. Poor defending and it was 2-2 and the Catalans in the bar went very quiet, sensing their season was to be finished by the men in white. Then, deep into injury time and with 8 seconds of the game left, the little magician, Lionel Messi struck the ball sweetly beyond the despairing Madrid keeper deep into the corner of the net. My beer went up in the air along with Gabriel’s as we jumped joyously and I guess in unison with everyone in the bar and the Catalan roar I could hear from the streets told me that the season continues just a little longer thanks to this thrilling match.

Nothing like watching a good game of football with the locals.