Lionel Messi's 2017/18 Season: A Statistical Deep Dive
Lionel Messi, the Argentine maestro, continued to redefine footballing excellence in the 2017/18 season. Despite an injury-hit campaign, he still managed to leave an indelible mark on the La Liga and Champions League stages. Let's delve into the statistical highlights of his remarkable season.
Goals and Assists: Messi's Scoring Prowess
Messi scored an impressive 34 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona in the 2017/18 season. In La Liga, he found the net 24 times in 26 games, maintaining his incredible goal-scoring form. His Champions League campaign was cut short due to injury, but he still managed to score 5 goals in 5 games, including a crucial brace against Chelsea in the Round of 16.
Messi's assist record was equally impressive. He set up 12 goals for his teammates in La Liga and 3 in the Champions League, bringing his total to 15 assists for the season. His ability to create chances as well as score them makes him a complete footballer and a constant threat on the pitch.
Messi's Goal Involvement: A Breakdown
- Total goals: 34
- Total assists: 15
- Total goal involvement (goals + assists): 49
Messi's Influence on Barcelona's Attack
Messi's impact on Barcelona's attack is reflected in their statistics. In the 2017/18 season, Barcelona scored 92 goals in La Liga, with Messi contributing to 37 of them (24 goals, 13 assists). His goal involvement rate of 39.1% highlights his immense influence on the team's scoring prowess.
Messi's Performance in Key Games
Messi's performances in high-stakes games are often the difference between victory and defeat. In the 2017/18 season, he scored crucial goals in wins against Real Madrid (twice), Valencia, and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. In the Champions League, his brace against Chelsea helped Barcelona overturn a 1-3 first-leg deficit and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Messi's La Liga Goals Against Top Teams
| Opponent | Goals |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 2 |
| Atlético Madrid | 1 |
| Valencia | 1 |
| Athletic Bilbao | 1 |
Messi's Awards and Recognitions
Messi's outstanding performances earned him several individual accolades. He was named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season and the La Liga Team of the Season. He also won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in Russia, further cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Despite missing a significant portion of the season due to injury, Messi still managed to leave his mark on the 2017/18 campaign. His statistics tell a story of a player who, even when not at his physical peak, can still dominate games and inspire those around him. As he continues to defy age and expectation, one thing is certain: Lionel Messi remains a force to be reckoned with on the football pitch.
