Lionel Messi completed 13 take-ons against Alaves, a personal best in a Liga match across the past five seasons. Just two away from his all-time Liga record.
Even his pace is decreased, his dribbling is still god like. But there must be something wrong with his shooting, including his set piece (though i think now opponents just think every way to stop Messi's freekick, none in history can bring that much danger.). If he is not back to his finishing pre covid level, this season will be trophyless again.
Dribbling is something where team mates doesn't really matter, so output can remain constant, no matter how bad the team is. Few chance's he's missed lately I wouldn't worry too much. He was probably just surprised to get a good chance for once without creating it himself. Almost scored yesterday from free kick, but defender just about cleared it from the goal line.
I only remember the bad shot against Juventus, but even there the pass was behind him. Then again I didn't watch the game yesterday after Neto brainfart.
In last 2 seasons, he has been accustomed to play in midfield and rarely in situation where he's being setup to score near or inside the box. He used to have Neymar, Xavi, Alves , Iniesta and Suarez who always provide him a close passing option almost everytime. As of Sept 2020, here are players with who provides most assist for Messi... Suarez = 46 Iniesta = 44 Alves = 42 Neymar = 36 Xavi = 35 That's 200+ goals for Messi which directly assisted by those 5 players , not even counting their contributions on build up play that leads to other Messi's goals. Now who Messi has? Young Fati, Pedri, Dembele, Griezzman...
Portugal right back Nelson Semedo is one of only a handful of players to have played alongside both of the world superstars who are globally recognised as the best in the world - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. And the matter of who is better was put to him by ESPN. Semedo has had an impressive season at the Spanish giants, playing 9 of their La Liga matches so far this campaign as well as featuring three times in the Champions League, playing alongside Messi 10 times in the process, while he has also played for Portugal 8 times in his career, playing on the same side as Ronaldo in half of those outings. But who does the 25-year old attacking fullback think is better of the two? When that question was put towards him by ESPN, his answer proved relatively inconclusive, starting off by saying “Messi is from another planet, he’s the difference so far,” before quickly adding “along with Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Still doesn't change how many incredible chances we created. Out frontmen have gone AWOL as far as finishing and that's cost us mightily so far.
I found 14... Fernando Gago (Real Madrid and Argentina) Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United and Argentina) Gerard Pique (Manchester United and Barcelona) Andre Gomes (Barcelona and Portugal) Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid and Argentina) Carlos Tevez (Manchester United and Argentina) Paulo Dybala (Juventus and Argentina) Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus and Argentina) Henrik Larsson (Barcelona and Manchester United) Nelson Semedo (Barcelona and Portugal) Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid and Argentina) Deco (Barcelona and Portugal) Martin Caceres (Barcelona and Juventus) Arthur Melo (Barcelona and Juventus)
Broke Josef Bican's long lasting world record of most goals in a national league. Only three players have scored more than 400 goals in a national league. 447 Lionel Messi in Spain (04-20) 446 Josef Bican in Czechoslovakia (37-55) 410 Jimmy McGrory in Scotland (22-38)
How wrong that would have been to see Messi do that tribute with another club. Had to be with Barca. The world will be crying with sadness when Leo hangs it up. We are privileged.
Encima el gol de Messi es casi igual al único que hizo el Diego en Newells, dejame de joder. pic.twitter.com/ABiRgdlHJi— Matías Colombatti (@maticolombatti) November 29, 2020 🥺 pic.twitter.com/cSVg0i5N6g— Matías Colombatti (@maticolombatti) November 29, 2020
Recreating the Hand of God I would call a fluke, recreating also the Goal of the Century once in a lifetime. But also recreating the only goal for Newell's Old Boys when you're wearing the original shirt underneath... That's some tribute.
Honestly I think Messi's motivation is largely lacking these days and it's sad to see. If there is nothing we can do to change that for the better we should trade him and get some much needed money and sizable payroll savings. It's a win-win really. He deserves better and it would get our club out of the financial hole.
I think Sid Lowe read my post: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ssi-newells-old-boys-shirt-maradona-barcelona
I know he’s a special player BUT It is odd to see every Barca player chasing back towards goal but Messi just standing there ..
He can already sign a contract in Jan. and then leave for free at end of season. We will just offload his wages if he wants.