Lionel Messi delivered a stunning hat-trick to lead Barcelona to a 4-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruña, securing the La Liga title with four matches remaining. It was a night of triumph, but also one tinged with regret. After the final whistle, Messi expressed his disappointment at not being able to bid farewell to Andrés Iniesta with a treble, though he remains hopeful the team can finish the season unbeaten.

“This La Liga season has been very special for us,” Messi said. “We haven’t lost a single game. We’ve been through a lot of challenges, but we overcame all of them. Going undefeated is truly incredible.” The Argentine legend added, “We’re honestly very sad because we couldn’t give Iniesta the Champions League send-off he deserved. A treble would have been the perfect farewell. I’m just grateful I had the chance to play alongside him, and I wish him all the best in the future.”

Barcelona’s latest title marks their seventh La Liga championship in the past ten seasons, cementing their reputation as the dominant force in Spanish football. Only Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have managed to break that run—twice and once, respectively. Historically, Real Madrid still leads the pack with 33 La Liga titles, while Barcelona now stands at 25.

When narrowing the scope to just the 21st century, the numbers shift significantly. Barcelona has claimed the league crown nine times—three more than arch-rivals Real Madrid. It’s a testament to a golden era, led by players like Messi and Iniesta, whose legacies are forever etched in football history.

As fans around the world—including those following BD Cricket Match—celebrate Barça’s triumph, the emotional goodbye to Iniesta serves as a poignant reminder that football, like cricket, is not just about silverware. It’s about loyalty, legacy, and shared memories. Whether it’s the roar of Camp Nou or the thrill of a last-over finish in a BD Cricket Match, the love for sport always runs deep.