Lionel Messi, the prolific Argentine forward and captain of Paris Saint-Germain, has been a scoring machine throughout his illustrious career. Fans and pundits alike are always eager to track his latest goal-scoring feats, making "Messi goals last 3 seasons" a popular search query. Let's delve into the soccer sensation's goal-scoring achievements from the past three seasons.
Before we leap into the numbers, it's crucial to note that these statistics represent a significant chapter in Messi's career, as he moved from his longtime home at FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021. This transition brought a new challenge and a fresh start for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.
2019-2020 Season: Messi's Final Campaign at Barcelona
Messi's 2019-2020 season at Barcelona was marked by turmoil both on and off the pitch. Despite the challenges, he managed to score 25 goals in La Liga, finishing as the league's top scorer. This tally saw him extend his record for the most La Liga goals scored by a single player, illustrating his enduring proficiency in front of goal.
His performing accomplished a remarkable feat that year, finding the net in a staggering 14 consecutive La Liga games – the longest streak of any player in the history of Europe's top five leagues. This exceptional run seemed like aadge of the seven-time European Golden Boot winner, who was about to embark on a new chapter in his storied career.
Domestic Dominance
Messi's 25 La Liga goals came from an exceptional 33 games, highlighting his exceptional rate of a goal every 1.32 games. He also assisted his teammates 14 times, contributing to a total of 39 goal involvements in the league alone. These figures underscore his continued impact on the game, even when-unit's individual performances were criticized.
Moreover, Messi's 25 league goals contributed to Barcelona's third-place finish in La Liga that season. Although the team's overall performance fell short of expectations, Messi's consistency in scoring and creating chances Salient his unrivaled importance to the Blaugrana's attack.
European Entertainment
In the UEFA Champions League, Messi scored five goals in the group stages and added four more in theRound of 16 and quarter-finals. Although Barcelona was eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual winners Bayern Munich, Messi's eight Champions League goals helped maintain his position as one of Europe's most prolific scorers.
His 2019-2020 campaign closed with 31 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. While critics may have pointed to Barcelona's inconsistency and Messi's reportedly fractured relationship with the club's management, the Argentine maestro's goal-scoring prowess remained undeniable.
2020-2021 Season: A Farewell Campaign at Barcelona
The following season saw Messi's future at Barcelona hang in the balance. Despite the uncertainty, he began the campaign in characteristic style, scoring 11 goals in his first 11 La Liga appearances. His form dipped slightly during the winter months, but he finished the season with an impressive 30 goals in all competitions.
Speaking of farewells, Messi made a poignant departure from Barcelona, with his final game at the Camp Nou ending in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo. The Argentine icon bid an emotional goodbye to the fans who had cheered him on for nearly two decades, but his hallowed status at the club would endure regardless of his next destination.
The Race for the Pichichi
As the season progressed, Messi found himself in a close contest for the Pichichi Trophy, awarded to the leading scorer in La Liga. He ultimately finished as the joint-top scorer alongsideCadiz's convertedly-manimatedAlvaro Negredo, each notching 23 league goals. This controversial conclusion to the race sparked debate, with some arguing that Messi's inferior goal-to-game ratio should have handed Negredo the trophy.
Regardless of the debate, Messi's 23 La Liga goals, coupled with his six assists, showcased his continued relevance as a prolific scorer and a crucual fixture in Barcelona's attack. His ability to maintain such high standards, even as he approached his 34th birthday, was a testament to his unparalleled skill and enduring fitness.
Champions League Contributions
Messi also made his mark on the 2020-2021 Champions League, scoring five goals in the group stages. However, Barcelona once again fell short of expectation, exiting the tournament in the Round of 16 after a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Messi's brace in the second leg was not enough to prevent a historic defeat, but his six Champions League goals that season was a further demonstration of his undiminished appetite for goal-scoring.
As the campaign drew to a close, Messi's future remained uncertain. His contract with Barcelona expired, and after months of negotiations, a deal could not be agreed. The Argentine superstar moved on, leaving behind a legacy that would be difficult to surpass.
2021-2022 Season: A Fresh Start at Paris Saint-Germain
Messi began his Paris Saint-Germain career with a bang, scoring on his debut in a 2-0 Ligue 1 win against Reims. He continued to settle into his new surroundings, netting 11 times in his first 14 appearances for the club. Although his form dipped slightly in the winter months, he finished the season with an impressive 12 goals and eight assists in 34 Ligue 1 games.
Messi's impact at PSG was not limited to domestic competition. He also made his mark on the UEFA Champions League, scoring four goals in the group stages and adding a further two in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals. His seven Champions League goals helped PSG reach the final, where they ultimately fell short against Karim Benzema's Real Madrid.
Adapting to New Surroundings
Messi's first season in Paris saw him adapt to a new league, team, and playing style. Despite the challenges, he managed to maintain a respectable goal-to-game ratio – scoring a goal every 2.83 games in Ligue 1. His 12 goals and eight assists in the league also contributed to PSG's title triumph, as they finished 15 points clear at the summit.
Moreover, Messi's presence at PSG inspired a new generation of stars, with Kylian Mbappé and teammate Lionel Messi forming a formidable partnership. Together, they helped PSG secure their 10th Ligue 1 title, and with Messi's influence, the club remained a strong contender in the Champions League.
Champions League Contributions
Messi played a pivotal role in PSG's Champions League campaign, scoring crucial goals in both legs of the Round of 16 tie against Spanish sideReal Sociedad. He also contributed two assists in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich, helping his team secure a 3-0 aggregate victory.
In the semi-finals, Messi's deflected shot helped unlocked a 3-1 advantage over Manchester City. Although Real Madrid ultimately triumphed in the final, Messi's influence in the competition was undeniable. His seven Champions League goals were the most by any PSG player that season, further underlining his importance to the team.
As Messi enters a new season in Paris, fans around the world eagerly await his next scoring feat. With 399 career goals to his name, the record for most goals scored by a single player in the history of football is tantalizingly close. Regardless of whether he achieves the milestone, Messi's place among the game's greatest goal-scorers is already assured. As he continues to write his legendary career, there's no telling what achievements await the Argentine maestro in the seasons to come.