Messi's incomparable talent not enough to dominate in UCL

The conclusion seems obvious: Lionel Messi is not enough in Europe. His incomparable talent is not enough to dominate in the Champions League, as shown in recent years.

In 2013, there was the 7-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich; in 2017, the 3-0 loss over two legs to Juventus; one year later, the embarrassing collapse in Rome as Barcelona went out on away goals after drawing 4-4 on aggregate; and, on Tuesday night, the Blaugrana's 4-0 defeat at Anfield which means Messi will once again watch the Champions League final from his home.

There are too many shipwrecks in the last six seasons for Barcelona to not establish that Barcelona are too dependent on their No.10. Messi is so often the solution, but even he has been unable to camouflage Barcelona's shortcomings as they often exhibit a lack of spirit in the face of adversity. When things are difficult, either Messi appears or nobody does.

Messi is one of football's geniuses, but since Carles Puyol's retirement, Barcelona have struggled to have an individual with the personality to rescue the team. Barcelona either win on the basis of their football or they do not, because they struggle when they get submerged in a dogfight.

The precedent from Rome was in the players' minds before heading to Anfield, yet Liverpool, who were without Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita, showed the weaknesses of Ernesto Valverde. The coach was unable to stop his team from trembling as Jurgen Klopp's side showed an intensity that was missing from Barcelona's game. Only Arturo Vidal was willing to go to war. The rest simply looked to Messi to solve the mess that was enveloping around them.

Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets are two exceptional players, but they are not leaders. Luis Suarez is a lethal striker with an abundance of character, yet his dismal run of not scoring away from home in the Champions League has begun to weigh on him like a ton of bricks. Philippe Coutinho and character, meanwhile, are two contrasting words. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is not always going to save the Blaugrana. In the end, as usual, it is Messi or the abyss.

That abyss is going to become a more regular reality for Barcelona as Messi will turn 32 next month and, although it feels like he will forever be incredible, that is simply not going to be the case. The Camp Nou is showing an increasing frustration at the Catalans' disappointment in Europe, particularly as there is the belief that Barcelona have wasted Messi's prime years in the Champions League.

Beyond the gradual resignation of their famous style of play, Barcelona have shown that they need other superstar players with talent and personality to surround Messi. The undisputed leader in a footballing sense needs to add a spiritual leader. Otherwise, Barcelona are in danger of continuing to repeat nights like Rome and Liverpool.