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The players have set their New Year’s Resolutions; the team have returned to training, but there’s no reason why we can’t cast a fond eye back to 2013 and reminisce about five of the best individual performances of the past calendar year:
5th: Cesc Fàbregas vs Real Mallorca
Barça Blaugranes Community Player Rating: 9.3
For a player who supposedly struggles to perform as a "false nine", Cesc Fàbregas sure put on a show against Real Mallorca. While the Catalan midfielder departed the action after just 65 minutes, Fàbregas ensured it was a memorable hour, as he put the Balearic Islanders to the sword with a sensational hat-trick and assist.
=2nd: Andrés Iniesta vs Getafe
Barça Blaugranes Community Player Rating: 9.4
With just one goal and a single assist, this outstanding performance from Andrés Iniesta required that you look beyond the main statistics and simply enjoyed the intricacies of the display. From perfectly weighted passes to delightful dribbles; Iniesta dazzled the Camp Nou crowd with a masterful 90 minute showcase, culminating in his second goal of the calendar year
=2nd: Victor Valdés vs Rayo Vallecano
Barça Blaugranes Community Player Rating: 9.4
The final scoreline suggested a superlative display from the Barcelona frontline, and indeed it was a great night for Pedro, who claimed his first hat-trick of the season. However, the Spanish winger was outshone by Barça’s goalkeeper, as Victor Valdés stole the headlines with an incredible performance between the sticks. Over the course of the 90 minutes, Valdés made a season-high nine saves – including a penalty stop to deny Roberto Trashorras.
=2nd: Neymar vs Celtic
Barça Blaugranes Community Player Rating: 9.4
The most recent entrant into this list hails from Brazil, as Neymar announced his arrival on the European stage with a quick-fire 13 minute hat-trick against Celtic. In fact, Neymar was so dominant; one couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the visiting Scottish champions who were already out of the competition before their trip to Catalunya. Apparently, mercy isn’t a familiar concept for Brazilians.
1st: Lionel Messi vs AC Milan
Barça Blaugranes Community Player Rating: 9.7
However, while Neymar, Valdés, Iniesta and Fàbregas have all delighted Culés with some superb performances over the calendar year, there could only be one winner. There’s that one display that stands out above 812 other individual performances, and that’s Lionel Messi’s master-class against AC Milan. With the Blaugrana facing certain elimination, the Argentine magician’s inspirational show was the driving force behind one of European football’s greatest comebacks.
