While the goals may have dried up for Lionel Messi this season, statistically he remains one of the best passers in European football.
Messi has endured a difficult debut campaign at Paris Saint-Germain and has managed just three goals in his 20 appearances in Ligue 1.
But while his goals return may be down on previous years, he is still able to play an important role for PSG - as shown in Saturday’s 6-1 win over Clermont, in which the Argentine provided three assists without getting on the scoresheet.
A new graph, posted to Twitter by user gasipo_opinions, has proved just how effective Messi remains at the age of 34.
The graph, which uses data from statistics website FBref, ranks players from European football’s top five leagues by their progressive passes per 90 minutes and expected assists per 90 minutes.
For players to be included, they must have played a minimum of 13 90-minute matches this season.
The graph shows that Messi is one of the best performing players on both axis and an outlier when the two metrics are combined.
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold also scores highly on the chart, along with Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich and Messi’s teammate at PSG, Neymar.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is also in the same elite group, dubbed the 'Double Threat' passers, along with Lazio’s Luis Alberto and Athletic Bilbao winger Iker Muniain.
While he still has at least one year left on his current deal at PSG, Messi continues to be linked with a return to Barcelona.
His former teammate Dani Alves has urged the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to return “home” when the summer window opens.
“I don’t know what he thinks or wants to do. He could come back for a little year with me for a 'last dance'. Why not? There’s nowhere better than here,” Alves told Sport.
“He cannot be better off than at Barcelona. He left and tried the experience. It’s time to return home if he wants.”
Fihacekry
298
If you think Messi is an attacker, just imagine an attacker with 750+ career goals 6 Golden Boots 7 Ballon d'Ors. If you think he's a winger, just imagine a winger with 400+ assists If you think he's a Midfielder, just imagine a Midfielder with 4 player maker awards 400+ career assists. He sets assist records for Midfielders He sets dribbling records for wingers He sets goal records for Strikers Then he takes them one by one and breaks them by himself. He's not part of the game, he's the game himself He's the Greatest Of All Time 🐐
howklopt
136
Messi is SI unit of football ⚽
KHMMURU07
114
Even at his worst season this man is still rocking up the statics and chart! Insane Goat
Alfredkoiyan
72
Messi the goat 🐐
N0_N0NsENSE
61
He is the professor of the round leather game . He remains the beautiful thing that has ever happened to the football game. let it be said I lived in the era of Leonel Messi...the football 🐐
howklopt
39
Don't judge Messi game by just goal. His influence in game is way above goal. Ronaldo's fans always cry saying no one provide assist or pass ball to Ronaldo but they will criticize Messi for assist and dropping deep to create chances. Mess was born to play football and he is more than a goal scorer. He is the ultimate GOAT of football.
Fofanah10
30
Goat 🐐 for a reason 🤙🏿
DamilolaSamuel
16
Don’t ever say in your life that mbappe is better than Messi when Messi was at mbappe age do you know he has won like 3 balon d or Messi might not score but he influenced the game with his assist just wait till he is settled and see my world best player play his real game come on Messi even in his bad season his still compete with the players having their best season
kudos1981
10
Messi's natural position is as deep as a CDM to CFM, almost like a false 9. his best talent is not goal scoring but setting the pace and creating chances which he still is very effective. non sophisticated futbol fans see one thing, score goals, he managed to be that despite carrying all the other roles. it's really pointless convincing those people they just lack the understanding, they just want the theatrics of a nice goal. i feel bad for them not seeing deeper in this beautiful game really that only the likes of Messi, Ronaldinho, Maradona displayed.
Beautifulboy
9
Please I need help with this. 👇🏼 How will I explain to my child in the future that Ronaldo has got more career goals than Messi, but Messi has got more golden boots than Ronaldo?
douelrsz
8
Messi is so lonely out there