Lionel Messi only started one league game from the bench this season and reportedly clashed with Luis Enrique afterwards - but this could have been a turning point in their season.
Read: Messi, Neymar & Suarez Outscore Chiefs & Wits Combined
It was the first game in 2015 when Messi, along with Neymar, was benched against Real Sociedad.
Enrique reportedly wasn’t happy with his two superstars' unprofessional attitude during the short Christmas break.
Many thought his brave call had backfired after Barcelona lost the game to Sociedad 1-0.
However, if you look back at this season-defining moment, this could have been the day Barcelona’s fortunes changed.
Following the defeat, Barcelona were four points behind Real Madrid, but have since collected eight points more than Los Blancos.
They have won 18 of the following 20 league games, only losing one and drawing another.
Messi’s game has dramatically improved since. He had scored 15 goals and assisted a further nine in 17 games until the Sociedad game, but went on to score 26 and set up a further 12 in just 20 games since.
It almost seems as if Messi felt like he had to prove a point to Enrique since the alleged clash, which was almost kept behind closed doors at Camp Nou - but later confirmed by a few Barcelona players.
Read: Messi 22 Trophies, Ronaldo 16
Whatever happened between the superstar and the coach, Enrique clearly got the best out of Messi since benching him on 4 January.
Do you think the Messi-Enrique clash was the turning point in FC Barcelona’s title campaign? Have your say in the comments section below.
