Victory was the only outcome for Barca, says Messi

Lionel Messi believes Barcelona gave Santos no chance in Sunday’s Club World Cup final in Japan.

Messi scored twice as the Catalans cruised to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over the Brazilians in the Sunday showpiece, with Xavi and Cesc Fabregas also on target.

Messi was the star of the show, however, with the first and fourth goals as Barca claimed their second Club World Cup success and the Argentine, who was named the best player of the tournament, said a victory was the only outcome in Yokohama.

“We gave them no option,” he said after the game.

“We are happy for the victory. The important thing is to show that when the team plays, we play very well. And we got the victory.”

Whoever the rival, Messi says Barca just set out to play their usual possession game, which has seen them win 13 titles out of a possible 16 under Pep Guardiola.

“Our idea is always the same: to try to keep the ball, to control the game, to try to get as much ball possession as possible and today we got that,” he said.

Barca lost the 2006 Club World Cup final in Japan, but the Catalans were successful in Abu Dhabi three years later and Messi hopes the side can return some time in the near future.

“The last time we came to Japan, we were treated very well,” he said.

“We are grateful for that. Hopefully we can return some time.”

The 24-year-old was chosen ahead of team-mate Xavi and Neymar, who finished second and third respectively, to receive the tournament’s best player award after the final whistle.

Xavi was recognised for setting up Messi for the opening goal, as well as for scoring the second for Barcelona midway through the first half.

Neymar, meanwhile, was a key figure in Santos’ semi-final victory over Kashiwa Reysol, where the Brazilians ran out 3-1 winners to set up a final clash with Barca.

Messi and Xavi’s performances helped to secure a fifth title of the year for the club. Barcelona had already lifted the Champions League, La Liga, European Super Copa and Supercopa trophies over 2011, while Neymar missed out on his own personal quadruple having won the Paulista and Copa Libertadores with Santos, and the South American Under-20 Championship with Brazil.