It says everything about the power of Lionel Messi to transfix that pictures of Barcelona’s Argentinian talisman picked up two of the top three awards in the football category at the 2021 World Sports Photography Awards. Here Jan Kruger of Getty Images describes his bronze-winning shot taken during Liverpool’s astonishing semi-final comeback against the Catalan club in the 2018/19 Champions League.
“This picture was taken during the second half after Gini Wijnaldum had scored to bring Liverpool level 3-3 on aggregate. Barcelona were desperate for an away goal and Messi received the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove at the Liverpool defence. He has changed the outcome of so many matches, so you always anticipate something special will happen.
“Messi was my focus, but this picture switches your attention to the determination and passion of Liverpool that evening. I like this image because it could be interpreted differently depending on the outcome of the match: ‘Messi takes on the world’ or ‘No way through for Messi.’ And it just proves why Virgil van Dijk is so valuable to Liverpool. He is in total control directing the defence while Messi is on the attack!
It says everything about the power of Lionel Messi to transfix that pictures of Barcelona’s Argentinian talisman picked up two of the top three awards in the football category at the 2021 World Sports Photography Awards. Here Jan Kruger of Getty Images describes his bronze-winning shot taken during Liverpool’s astonishing semi-final comeback against the Catalan club in the 2018/19 Champions League.
“This picture was taken during the second half after Gini Wijnaldum had scored to bring Liverpool level 3-3 on aggregate. Barcelona were desperate for an away goal and Messi received the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove at the Liverpool defence. He has changed the outcome of so many matches, so you always anticipate something special will happen.
“Messi was my focus, but this picture switches your attention to the determination and passion of Liverpool that evening. I like this image because it could be interpreted differently depending on the outcome of the match: ‘Messi takes on the world’ or ‘No way through for Messi.’ And it just proves why Virgil van Dijk is so valuable to Liverpool. He is in total control directing the defence while Messi is on the attack!
“If you have the chance to get something a little different from a match you should take it. Having a bit more freedom to roam as the UEFA photographer gave me that opportunity. Messi was in town, and I hoped to get something different on him. This picture was taken six floors up in the stands and I ran like a madman to get up there after photographing the teams in the tunnel before kick-off.
“A great picture can be captured of any subject but photographing a legend, a hero to millions, in a recognised setting has a deeper impact visually. I love the winning image of Messi at the 2012 World Cup final because it tells the whole story. It may be a coincidence that in both these shots Messi was on the losing team, but photographing a player of his stature in that setting makes him appear vulnerable and more relatable to fans.”
It says everything about the power of Lionel Messi to transfix that pictures of Barcelona’s Argentinian talisman picked up two of the top three awards in the football category at the 2021 World Sports Photography Awards. Here Jan Kruger of Getty Images describes his bronze-winning shot taken during Liverpool’s astonishing semi-final comeback against the Catalan club in the 2018/19 Champions League.
“This picture was taken during the second half after Gini Wijnaldum had scored to bring Liverpool level 3-3 on aggregate. Barcelona were desperate for an away goal and Messi received the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove at the Liverpool defence. He has changed the outcome of so many matches, so you always anticipate something special will happen.
“Messi was my focus, but this picture switches your attention to the determination and passion of Liverpool that evening. I like this image because it could be interpreted differently depending on the outcome of the match: ‘Messi takes on the world’ or ‘No way through for Messi.’ And it just proves why Virgil van Dijk is so valuable to Liverpool. He is in total control directing the defence while Messi is on the attack!
It says everything about the power of Lionel Messi to transfix that pictures of Barcelona’s Argentinian talisman picked up two of the top three awards in the football category at the 2021 World Sports Photography Awards. Here Jan Kruger of Getty Images describes his bronze-winning shot taken during Liverpool’s astonishing semi-final comeback against the Catalan club in the 2018/19 Champions League.
“This picture was taken during the second half after Gini Wijnaldum had scored to bring Liverpool level 3-3 on aggregate. Barcelona were desperate for an away goal and Messi received the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove at the Liverpool defence. He has changed the outcome of so many matches, so you always anticipate something special will happen.
“Messi was my focus, but this picture switches your attention to the determination and passion of Liverpool that evening. I like this image because it could be interpreted differently depending on the outcome of the match: ‘Messi takes on the world’ or ‘No way through for Messi.’ And it just proves why Virgil van Dijk is so valuable to Liverpool. He is in total control directing the defence while Messi is on the attack!
It says everything about the power of Lionel Messi to transfix that pictures of Barcelona’s Argentinian talisman picked up two of the top three awards in the football category at the 2021 World Sports Photography Awards. Here Jan Kruger of Getty Images describes his bronze-winning shot taken during Liverpool’s astonishing semi-final comeback against the Catalan club in the 2018/19 Champions League.
“This picture was taken during the second half after Gini Wijnaldum had scored to bring Liverpool level 3-3 on aggregate. Barcelona were desperate for an away goal and Messi received the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove at the Liverpool defence. He has changed the outcome of so many matches, so you always anticipate something special will happen.
“Messi was my focus, but this picture switches your attention to the determination and passion of Liverpool that evening. I like this image because it could be interpreted differently depending on the outcome of the match: ‘Messi takes on the world’ or ‘No way through for Messi.’ And it just proves why Virgil van Dijk is so valuable to Liverpool. He is in total control directing the defence while Messi is on the attack!
“If you have the chance to get something a little different from a match you should take it. Having a bit more freedom to roam as the UEFA photographer gave me that opportunity. Messi was in town, and I hoped to get something different on him. This picture was taken six floors up in the stands and I ran like a madman to get up there after photographing the teams in the tunnel before kick-off.
“A great picture can be captured of any subject but photographing a legend, a hero to millions, in a recognised setting has a deeper impact visually. I love the winning image of Messi at the 2012 World Cup final because it tells the whole story. It may be a coincidence that in both these shots Messi was on the losing team, but photographing a player of his stature in that setting makes him appear vulnerable and more relatable to fans.”
It says everything about the power of Lionel Messi to transfix that pictures of Barcelona’s Argentinian talisman picked up two of the top three awards in the football category at the 2021 World Sports Photography Awards. Here Jan Kruger of Getty Images describes his bronze-winning shot taken during Liverpool’s astonishing semi-final comeback against the Catalan club in the 2018/19 Champions League.
“This picture was taken during the second half after Gini Wijnaldum had scored to bring Liverpool level 3-3 on aggregate. Barcelona were desperate for an away goal and Messi received the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove at the Liverpool defence. He has changed the outcome of so many matches, so you always anticipate something special will happen.
“Messi was my focus, but this picture switches your attention to the determination and passion of Liverpool that evening. I like this image because it could be interpreted differently depending on the outcome of the match: ‘Messi takes on the world’ or ‘No way through for Messi.’ And it just proves why Virgil van Dijk is so valuable to Liverpool. He is in total control directing the defence while Messi is on the attack!
