WINTER CHAMPIONS
Por Jaime
Leo Messi's Barcelona ended the first half of the La Liga campaign top of the pile following their 2-2 stalemate against Espanyol, the Azulgranas' captain's first outing of the calendar year, to be crowned as the division's winter champions. The Barça goals were scored by Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal.
In the wake of this result, which sees Barcelona retain their place at the summit for yet another matchday, Messi now goes in search of his first silverware of the season in the Spanish Super Cup, with Barça set to do battle with Atlético Madrid on Thursday for a place in the final.