Lionel Messi on television is a genius; in the flesh, he is divine

Messi on television is a genius; in the flesh, he is divine. Dhruv Munjal catches him in action at Camp Nou and can barely believe his eyes

There’s a roar. Drums beat and flags wave. Now, as he stands over the ball, there’s synchronised clapping of hands. And then, silence. The lull before the storm, the wait for the big bang. He takes one final look, like a contract killer casually scanning his target, before wrapping his left foot around it. It soars over the wall, the keeper leaps, the ball grazes the crossbar, the crowd lets out a cry of disbelief. It’s gone over. And then they all get into it: “Messi, Messi, Messi!” The drums ring out again; the flags flutter with greater fury.

It’s