Lionel Messi added another record to his incredible career on Saturday as he became the first player in the history of La Liga to score 20 and assist 20 goals or more in the same season.
The club's all-time top scorer set up Arturo Vidal to ease Barca nerves as the reigning champions scored a 15th-minute opener to secure victory at Real Valladolid.
Former teammate Thierry Henry is the only other player to have reached the landmark in Europe's top five leagues in the 21st century, scoring 24 and assisting 20 for Arsenal in the 2002/03 Premier League season.
The last player to provide 20 assists in La Liga also played for Barcelona, as former midfielder Xavi proved his creative brilliance during the 2008/09 campaign.
Xavi has been linked with a return to the club as manager recently during an unconvincing run of results under Quique Setien, who was only appointed in January.
Messi has questioned whether Barca can win the Champions League under Setien's tactics and has been in relatively poor goalscoring form under the beleaguered coach.
Despite scoring his 700th goal in a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid last month, the Argentina forward has only found the net twice in eight matches - and both came from the penalty spot.
The 33-year-old is now hoping that Real Madrid, who are a point ahead of their arch rivals with a game in hand, slip up when the league leaders travel to Granada tomorrow.
25220691(deleted)
260
and this is supposed to be one of his worst seasons...
dc6shibun
38
when you play fifa get bored and play ametur level game just to score ton of goals and assists and then suddenly it reminds you that Messi is doing this sh*t in real life
TETRANINJA
20
Lewandowski looks likely to get it. Bayern are heavy favorites for the UCL. Already won the League and the Cup and a foot in the quarter-finals.
Bayern are not huge favorites but one of the favorites,let’s be honest.name one Liverpool level team Bayern have faced this season? None They faced a usual Dortmund Weak Chelsea side Bad Tottenham Apart from that they’ve not faced a team that has really tested them like man city,Barcelona or Real Madrid so I can’t say they’re favorites until I see how they do against those teams
Liberties85ok
14
MESSI THE KING 🤴 ronaldo the prince... No comparison
Respect_Football
13
like which player
Lewandowski is doing better. But Ronaldo and Messi should land in top 3 to be honest. UCL will play an important role in who will win Balandor. But Messi needs a trophy. Without a trophy chances of winning individual trophy is very tough.
danny7_ida
10
and this is supposed to be one of his worst seasons...
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Nobody said it is one of his worst seasons. This is actually one of his best I have seen but yet other players have performed better this season
Respect_Football
9
Lewandowski looks likely to get it. Bayern are heavy favorites for the UCL. Already won the League and the Cup and a foot in the quarter-finals.
Yes but there path is also tough. They will face Barca mostly. If Barca can eliminate them early then there could be very high reason he might not win it. Plus his golden shoe is also not guarantee yet. So UCL is a big thing.
SINGAM23
9
There's a new Wonderkid on the block 👍☑️
ultra_instinctLM10
8
Bayern are not huge favorites but one of the favorites,let’s be honest.name one Liverpool level team Bayern have faced this season? None They faced a usual Dortmund Weak Chelsea side Bad Tottenham Apart from that they’ve not faced a team that has really tested them like man city,Barcelona or Real Madrid so I can’t say they’re favorites until I see how they do against those teams
this actually makes sense