Lionel Messi dominated La Liga last season, as FC Barcelona reclaimed the league crown. As the Argentine star gears up for the FIFA World Cup, we should call attention to this statistical comparison made by the betting company bet365.
Across the top 5 European leagues, only one player besides Messi has led in more than one of the main four statistical categories. Dimitri Payet led Ligue 1, the 5th-best league, in both assists (tied with Memphis Depay) and key passes.
But here’s the kicker, while only Payet led in two categories, and everyone else only one, Messi reigned supreme in all four categories:
Most goals, assists, key passes and dribbles this season:
Premier League:
Salah
De Bruyne
Özil
Hazard
Bundesliga:
Lewandowski
Müller
James
Coman
Ligue 1:
Cavani
Payet/Depay
Payet
Neymar
Serie A:
Immobile
Luis Alberto
Gómez
Anderson
La Liga:
Messi
Messi
Messi
Messi
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Barcelona ace led the way in dribbles and key passes and was second in goals. How will he do this time around?