Another scintillating performance by Leo Messi saw Barcelona dismantle Brazil’s Santos 4-0 to claim the FIFA Club World Cup Championship.

Barca enter the record books as the only club to ever win the tournament twice, giving Pep Guardiola his 13th trophy since taking over at the helm in 2008.

The Catalans took the field sporting “Mucha Fuerza Guaje” t-shirts, in honor of teammate David Villa, who broke his leg in the semifinal match against Al-Sadd.

With his season ending injury fresh on their minds, Barca promised commitment and ruthless efficiency for the injured striker, hoping to ease his loss with another trophy for the showcase.

For the third consecutive game Guardiola’s decision to play Leo Messi as a midfielder worked wonders, as the Argentine put in a man-of-the-match performance, scoring two goals in the process.

Time and again Messi received the ball in a deep position, dragging the Santos defense horribly out of shape in their pursuit of his slalom runs. His combination play with Fabregas in their false-nine/false-ten partnership opened the field for Thiago, Alves and Iniesta to take advantage of the voided spaces and bombard the opposing net with strikes.

The positive result should give Guardiola even more encouragement in his never-ending pursuit of fielding a team composed entirely of midfielders.

The Champions League winners looked unstoppable throughout and it was Messi who put them up for good in the 17th minute of play. A brilliant through ball from Xavi allowed Leo to beat the off-sides trap and plant himself one on one with Rafael Cabral, controlling the pass with his right before switching to his left and chipping the keeper from eight yards out.

Xavi would double the lead just seven minutes later after Dani Alves’s surging run down the right split open the Santos defense, allowing the Catalan captain to creep into the area, collect the Brazilian’s pass, avoid the tackle and beat Cabral down the middle with a half-volley strike.

After Fabregas saw an effort rattle off the post just minutes later, Santos manager Muricy Ramalho opted to drop midfielder Elano for an additional defender in Leo, hoping to release some of the pressure being heaped on his backline.

It wouldn’t matter, as Cesc Fabregas nabbed a poacher’s goal at the 45 minute mark to make it 3-0 at the half. After changing positions with Thiago out wide on the left, Messi made a darting run into the area, connecting onto the end of Dani Alves’s cross, riding through the tackle and sending a no-look, back-heel pass back to the Brazilian. Alves’s cross from the touchline was deflected by Cabral, falling to Thiago, who saw his snap-header momentarily saved before Fabregas was able to slot home the rebound from six yards out, holding up the number seven with his fingers in honor of David Villa.

It was a half of champagne football and attacking brilliance from the best team in the world, highlighting the driving force behind Guardiola’s side: this Barca goes beyond success, they go for glory.

The South American Champions came out with a better game plan for the second half, attacking with greater sense of purpose and retaining nominal possession for stretches. Neymar nearly had a consolation goal in the 57th minute after breaking free and finding himself in the open with only Valdes to beat, but the Catalan keeper did well to close down the angle and smother the shot, preserving the clean sheet.

Dani Alves would see another strike clang off the post before assisting Messi in Barcelona’s fourth goal. The Brazilian did well to steal the ball in midfield, out-jumping the Santos defense for a loose ball and starting the break. His generous pass to Messi saw the Argentine make a razor cut around the onrushing Cabral before slotting home calmly into an open net, completing the route.

There would be no tears this time for Guardiola, but clearly, it meant a lot to him. He was effusive in his praise for the team, the players and the moment itself.

“The quality of these players is what makes this moment so special. They are simply the best.”

Santos, for all their credit, played an extremely clean and open game, determined to loose pretty, rather than win ugly. They never sought to destroy and demonstrated tremendous sportsmanship throughout, always helping Barcelona players to their feet after the whistle.

The match was hyped to be a showdown between Messi and 19-year old starlet Neymar, but ended with one distinct winner.

Messi collected a winner’s medal, the golden ball for the tournament’s most valuable player, an oversized and tacky Toyota golden key award, as well as the Club World Cup Championship trophy, solidifying Barca’s claim as world’s best.

“I’m excited about winning this title because we wanted to become the best in the world,” summarized Messi.

The Argentine has scored 29 goals already this season and 55 in 2011. The win takes Barca’s record to a historic 20-1-6, having outscored opponents 86-16 in the process.

He joins Pedro as the only other player ever to score in all six competitions in the same year, standing alone as the only person ever to both score and assist in the six tournaments.

As for Neymar, touted as the next great wonder from Brazil, while unable to demonstrate any of the spectacular skill he surely possesses, the kid did nothing to embarrass himself.

Barcelona’s style of possession football simply robbed him of his touches, forcing him to come deeper for the ball and never establish a rhythm. He was blanketed well by Carles Puyol and Barca did well to harass him with additional markers when he attempted to cut the ball back inside or drive to the touchline.

The friendly spirit of the Barcelona players towards the kid, one of respect and good-natured competitiveness, was on full display. President Sandro Rosell and best-friend Dani Alves charmed him, while the Barcelona players humbled him with their playing style.

“Barcelona deserved to win,” stated Neymar after the match. “Tonight, the best team in the world taught us a lesson in how to play football.”

Whether or not Guardiola decides to take a chance on the kid from Santos, Neymar was clearly impressed by what he saw on the pitch. Based on the way he carried himself in awe next to Messi, it certainly appears that Barcelona hold the upper hand in the battle to sign the youngster.

Either way Neymar was shown a glimpse of his potential future as either teammate or rival of the Catalans. The decision is his as to which side he chooses.

Meanwhile, Barcelona return from Japan victorious, undoubtedly listening to Queen’s “We are the champions” on loop over the airplane P.A. system.

I’ll be singing it here at home, too.

 

Article written by Barcaloco contributor Anson Woodring.  Follow Anson on Twitter at @ansonwoodring.

Full match highlights:

Santos VS Barcelona 0-4 Highlights HD 18.12.2011 by iNfRaS0NiC