Needing to dart in-field towards a packed defence on a sodden playing surface, before receiving a bouncing return pass 20 yards from goal, with one of the world’s best goalkeepers between the posts. Those would not represent favourable circumstances for any other player. But when Messi drew back his left boot to caress a side-footed finish, Atletico Madrid number one Jan Oblak knew what was coming. So did the 64,226 fans inside the Wanda Metropolitano and they had about as much chance of averting a 1-0 defeat. The arc of the ball, low into the left corner, mimicked his last-gasp Clasico winner at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2017. Another showreel moment in a career bursting with them. As usual, with Barcelona nudging back ahead of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga on the eve of the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Messi’s timing was impeccable. “I don’t follow these awards galas because they are too long,” said Barca boss Ernesto Valverde afterwards, luxuriating in his embattled door-to-door salesman demeanour. “But if you have to give it to the best, let’s just give it to Messi and the problem is solved.” Messi = problem solved. It’s been the story of…