Barcelona's over-reliance on Lionel Messi in European competition has been brought to light after it emerged that their second highest-goalscorer over the past two seasons in the Champions League is own goals.
Messi trails only Cristiano Ronaldo in the list of the Champions League's all-time leading goalscorers, and he has added to his tally with 18 strikes over the past two seasons - including 12 during their run to the last-four this year.
But despite boasting a squad that includes the likes of Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and £96million-signing Ousmane Dembele, no other Barca player comes anywhere close to matching their Argentine talisman.
Worryingly for coach Ernesto Valverde, the Blaugrana's second highest scorer in European football's elite competition is, in fact, own goals, who have aided the Spanish champions' cause on six occasions.
Dembele is third with four, defender Gerard Pique is tied with Coutinho on three after that while Suarez has only managed two - the same as midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
BARCA'S EUROPEAN TOP GOALSCORERS
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has propelled the Catalans on the continent in recent years and he scored twice in the first leg of their semi-final with Liverpool at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona were subsequently humiliated at Anfield on Tuesday, suffering a stunning 4-0 defeat to forego a 3-0 aggregate advantage.
Messi told Barcelona fans at the beginning of the season that he wanted to mark his first season as captain by lifting the Champions League trophy, but their embarrassing defeat has left the club's dressing room demoralised.
The 31-year-old's miserable night was reportedly compounded after the match when Messi squared up to angry fans who confronted him at John Lennon Airport, according to Mundo Deportivo.
At the airport's security checkpoint, a small group of fans are said to have confronted Messi and the player had to be dragged away to avoid a more serious situation.
It was also reported that a separate group of Barcelona fans applauded their hero, coming to the defence of the player despite an awful evening on the pitch.
TeamMessi10
293
I already said this and I will say it again it’s time for Valverde to leave. He has completely change the style of Barcelona. He is useless right now.
huaknuy
204
I will always repeat saying that Barca needs Neymar back,he has goals assists and a very big threat to opponents, Mesdi can't do it all by himself
loso313
175
I can only imagine what life after Messi would be for Barca 🤔
Fopbenp
142
No team can win UCL when their main striker scores only one goal in whole competition... it's impossible....... Any team can see the weakness in Barca.... stop Messi with 2 or 3 players then they won't score......Barca really need a Striker ... and a strong one with good pace ... and a LW who got the pace of wingers... Coutinho can't play in wing... Anyone can see that...when he moves to midfield his passes are more effective...and barca will get two creative players and two good forwards... then they can score in away goals... If Suarez plays next UCL for Barca it will be over before it starts
Beejayk1
101
Interview of Cristiano Ronaldo (last year at Real Madrid): Journalists: what did you tell mo salah when he was injured? - listen, I cheered him up... I reminded him that I was also injured in the final of the euro and that I was disappointed but after we won the match and we became champion of Europe. So, he had to try to keep hope and even if he didn't win this c1. there would be others and no doubt he was going to win them?
kazekage7
78
The “Messi campaign” continues... nothing will take them back to the UCL, what happened happened Let’s just hope Liverpool doesn’t win both the UCL and EPL because he’ll also lose the ballon d’or to VVD
Tehcdeiktu
74
La Liga referees should be blamed for Barca lost. Awarding untruthful penalties, fouls. Suarez and Busquets diving, pretending & cheating. Now they can't compete outside Spain (Europe). Shame on referees
Costas_Costa
67
Valverde's transfer were proven to be wrong. The newcomers are good players but not good enough for Barca. They also do not compliment each other. Last year's programming was a failure. If Messi was not having a good year, Barca wouldn't have won any title at all.
vibnsy
65
thats why i like teams like liverpool.....they dont rely too much on any of there players the difference goals btw mane and salah is just one in all competitions and firmino is not far from them.....Roberson and arnod have equal number of assits from the flanks 13 each.....thats a very balanced team
FaithEvans
62
Stupidest thing is, haters would still go like; Oh, that's the stats... still, let's blame Leo Messi, he's not a leader, he should take responsibility for the team's performance, he should shout more, he should do this or that... and all they know about Lionel Messi are incorrect assumptions and misinformation derived from God knows where, well, we're sorry Messi don't fit into your ideas of a "noisemaking leader" but he's still very much a leader and a respected professional!
Taoacenrz
52
We all know this but the President and the has a solution as follows pass the ball to Messi even if he is surrounded by 8 defenders even if he is on the ground pass the ball to messi even if he is on the bench pass the ball to messi that is their solution. They see no way out or they dont plan a game and use quick analysis to read how the game is going and make necessary adjustments so just pass the ball to messi
ukwuanikc
9
I already said this and I will say it again it’s time for Valverde to leave. He has completely change the style of Barcelona. He is useless right now.
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It's not his fault bro. the fault goes like this, before it used to be Neymar Jr and Messi taking on 4 defenders or more leaving the likes of Suarez and co to operate. but now it's only Messi and he can't handle they all alone now.