After Messi slotted the ball into the corner with his left foot in Sunday’s el Clásico, he went off to the edge of the pitch to celebrate in front of baying Real Madrid fans. Barcelona’s title chances were reignited.

That’s what went through my head in the 92nd minute of Sunday’s Clásico. Not after the great man guided home the winner in a pulsating 3-2 win for his team. But beforehand, as he ambled around the edge of the penalty area and Jordi Alba raided down the left flank. You could preempt it.

That’s the joy of Messi. Having followed his stellar career closely since bursting onto the scene as teenager, you get familiarized with his magnificent movements and his mannerisms. In a peculiar way, at times he’s predictable. Still unstoppable, though.

The style in which he finished that chance was predictable too. A firm strike on his favorite foot, low to ground, nestled in the corner. Then the celebration—top off, in the air, holding it up to the Madridistas to read; as if the Santiago Bernabeu didn’t know?

It’s not hyperbolic to suggest the Barcelona man’s display on Sunday night was one of the all-time greats in one of the all-time great Clásico matches.

Let’s not forget, Messi had a mouth stuffed full of blood and tissue in the early stages after a tangle with Marcelo, while his side fell behind after the concession of a sloppy goal.

With no Neymar in the XI and four away losses in their last six games, shoulders slumped for those in red and blue. Messi, meanwhile grew in stature.

His first goal was a devastating turn of feet and finish, leaving Dani Carvajal kicking at thin air. And then, with the match on a tightrope heading into the dying embers, that third. The finish, the unbridled joy and the regal sight of Messi brandishing his shirt to Los Blancos supporters. The king in his enemy’s castle.

Regardless of what follows in the La Liga title race, Barcelona supporters will always have that moment to reflect on. But with the Blaugrana sat atop the standings on head-to-head record from their great rivals—who have the advantage of a game in hand—there is a title race. “Hay Liga!” as they would say in Spain.

The reason we have a fight to the finish is because of Messi. Not only for his imperious display on Sunday in the biggest game of Barcelona’s season, but for the myriad times he’s pulled this team through matches in 2016-17.

In away wins over Valencia and Sevilla, Messi was a force of nature. In a 2-1 victory at the Vicente Calderon he netted a crucial winner. At Villarreal he slammed home a free-kick in the final minute to earn his team a point.

And there have been many more. Even as recently as the last couple of months, Messi’s magnificence has helped Barcelona beat Valencia, Sevilla and Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou, the former and latter of which were otherwise even games.

Then, of course, you have Sunday and the style of the victory. Had Barcelona earned a routine 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, you’d have backed Madrid to dust themselves down, come again and still win La Liga. But suffering defeat in this manner will have a big impact on them.

It’ll have a big impact on Barcelona too, albeit an invigorating one. While the title still may not be in their hands, there’ll be belief in the camp, the kind of belief that can only be cultivated by winning in the last minute at the home of your fiercest rivals. There’s nothing quite like it in all of football.

SEE MORE: Schedule of Barcelona games on US TV and streaming

We have been here with Barcelona before, of course. After the comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, it was anticipated they’d kick on. Yet systemic flaws have emerged, culminating in their exit from the aforementioned competition with a whimper against Juventus and away losses at Deportivo and Malaga.

It makes Messi’s efforts all the more spectacular. Because this is not a great Barcelona side by their own impeccable standards. Compare the depth at the disposal of Zinedine Zidane at Madrid to the players Luis Enrique can call upon, and the capital club should have romped away with this title.

At the Camp Nou the axis of Xavi and Andres Iniesta is no longer in place, the midfield balance is subsequently skewed and the defensive structure changes week by week. Speculation over Enrique’s position and the rumors about his replacement have also been a big distraction.

But Barcelona are there, clinging on. A gripping end to the campaign will follow. Thank Messi for that.