Lionel Messi Will End Manchester City's Champions League Campaign

When Barcelona drew Manchester City out of the proverbial hat for the next phase of the Champions League, there would have been audible sighs coming from the direction of the Camp Nou.

Indeed, this is the English champions who struggled to get out of their group, only qualifying on Matchday 6 as they beat Roma away from home. But despite all of this, City are one of the most dangerous opponents in Europe. 

The Sky Blues are a team still yet to fully arrive in the Champions League after their first journey into the competition in 2011, but as the years roll by, City become stronger in terms of depth and experience, and it is only a matter of time before they win the biggest prize in club football.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Barcelona themselves have had a contrasting few months—losing three from seven games in all competitions from the end of September through November, leading to the expected disapproval of new manager Luis Enrique.

But the coach has steadied the ship, and Barca are back to winning ways, being victorious for eight games on the trot before their recent goalless draw with Getafe.

Barcelona have also started to find their shooting boots, with Lionel Messi and Neymar both into double figures for the campaign.

Messi now has 13 goals from his 15 La Liga matches, with Neymar scoring 11 times from 13 league appearances.

However, when you look at Messi's Champions League statistics you really see why he is one of the best two players on the planet.

The Argentinian captain has eight goals and two assists from Barca's six European competition games, conclusively proving there is nothing wrong with the player's form and powers. 

Simon Rice of The Independent has highlighted Messi and his Catalan brethren's mercurial form, which is somewhat going under the radar as Ronaldo slams in hat-tricks at Madrid, and he says Manchester City know they will face an incredible task to make it past Enrique's team [sic]:

"

Manuel Pellegrini's side did remarkable well to escape the group stage having picked up just two points from the first four games. Victories over Bayern Munich and then Roma ensured they were in today's draw but the result was about as bad as it could get.

Among those Manchester City could have been drawn against were AS Monaco and FC Porto but it was the giants from Catalonia that came out of one of the many bowls in Nyon.

"

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Indeed, City drawing Barcelona is not ideal for the Etihad team. They have been given tough routes to progression in the past and have failed to live up to the hype. 

Messi is in a no-nonsense mood at present, and you can see the focus has returned to him that maybe slightly diminished in the past two seasons.

And as good as City are—and Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany should be fit by February—you just get the feeling they have drawn the short straw once again.

Barca respect Manuel Pellegrini, a manager who previously plied his trade in La Liga, and they will know he will relish the challenge to face them.

Catalan director Andoni Zubizarreta recognised this after the draw, which replicated the pair's Champions League clash from last season, while speaking to Eurosport, per ITV.com:

"

It is the same draw we had a year ago, it was a very difficult game and we are going to look forward to it. Manchester City have an outstanding squad with a very good coach, a very good team and are very competitive.

We know all about them. They have been playing at a very high level and it is going to be difficult. Two great teams with incredible players and anything can happen.

"

Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press

This tie will be about catalysts: It is Messi v Aguero.

Kun has proved himself to be one of the very best strikers on the planet, but he needs to be fed in order to be fully effective. This is where Messi has the edge. Barca's little magician can drop into any attacking area of the pitch and become a threat. 

And now, his goal tally once again matches the extraordinary ability we all know he possesses. Even last season, Messi scored 28 times in 29 La Liga starts, but it felt like he was not the same player of previous incarnations.

But signs for Messi and Barca are now looking brighter. City are travelling well in the Premier League but do not look like a team capable of winning the European Cup on this occasion. Messi will relish the challenge of playing one of the real neo-superclubs of world football when the sides meet in February.

It will be the little wizard who once again reigns supreme as City exit the tournament for another season.

Stats via WhoScored.com unless otherwise noted.