While Lionel Messi may have missed out on the Ballon d’Or (for a change), the Barcelona genius continues to amaze with his world-class performances which mark him out as a freak of nature.
He was absent for three months of the season yet his individual record has no rivals as these stats prove.
Europe’s top five leagues in 2018-19: Most goals – Messi Most assists – Messi Most dribbles – Messi Most chances created – Messi Most free-kicks scored – Messi Most key passes per 90 mins – Messi Most goals from outside the box – Messi
To summarise, that’s 77 direct goal contributions in 54 appearances – a staggering contribution. He has ended the calendar year having scored 51 goals and provided 26 assists in 54 appearances for club and country.
Messi has scored more than 50 goals in eight of the last nine years and has directly contributed to 47.6% of Barcelona’s goals in 2018.
He as failed to score or assist in only three of his 20 appearances for Barcelona this term.
The Argentinian went a record 49 La Liga games without a defeat. He missed Barcelona’s only loss of the 2017-18 season but did appear in the 2-1 defeat at Leganes in the current season.
We can expect more of the same from Messi in 2019 and while he may not be too upset at losing out on the Balon d’Or, if he continues to rack up stats like this, he will surely reclaim his crown in a year’s time.