Messi's stats in knockout matches

Continuing with the argument that Messi is a big game player, and with the upcoming Copa America KO matches he'll be playing against Ecuador, it's a good time to look at Messi's stats in all knockout matches in his career.

In total, he has played 202 knockout matches, winning 120, tying 41, and losing 41. He has 131 goals and 65 assists in those games, which is a 0.97 G/A per game ratio, unimaginable for most players considering not only that these are knockout matches but also the sheer amount of these types of games he's played.

Going into more specifics, in 107 games he has the following stats: 488 shots, 207 on target, 563 dribbles, 243 key passes, 63 through-balls, 51 MoTM, and an average rating of 8.35, which further proves the point that Messi not only appears more often than not in these games but that he has a great performance on average. As a side note, he's created 30 big chances in 55 games.

And now I'll go stage for stage:

Round of 64: 1 game (against Gramenet in the 2004/05 Copa del Rey).

Round of 32: 3 games, 3 goals.

Round of 16: 56 games and 51 goals, and 20 assists - In ~29 games: 137 shots, 64 on target, 156 dribbles, 69 key passes, 18 through-balls, 19 MoTM, 8.75 average rating - 10 big chances created in 18 games.

Quarter-finals: 54 games, 25 goals, and 16 assists - In ~30 games: 147 shots, 59 on target, 149 dribbles, 64 key passes, 15 through-balls, 11 MoTM, and an 8.03 average rating - 6 big chances created in 16 games.

Semi-finals: 45 games, 21 goals, and 16 assists - In 28 games: 119 shots, 50 on target, 161 dribbles, 63 key passes, 17 through-balls, 12 MoTM, and 8.31 average rating - 6 big chances created in 11 games.

Finals: 43 games, 31 goals, and 13 assists - In 20 games: 85 shots, 34 on target, 97 dribbles, 47 key passes, 13 through-balls, 9 MoTM, and 8.3 average rating - 8 big chances created in 10 games.

Hopefully, Messi can further strengthen these numbers against Ecuador. That's all for today, so I hope you liked this entry and I'll see you in the next blog.

Barcelona announces Depay as their new signing

Yesterday, Barcelona announced Memphis Depay as their new signing for the club. Rumors were spreading for months about Depay's arrival to Barcelona, with an agreement supposedly made weeks ago, but since Depay was playing at the Euros, they had to send medicals for his examination. After passing it, everything was set for Depay to join Barcelona, which will happen after his contract at Lyon expires. His new contract with Barcelona will run until the end of the 2022-23 season.

In relation to Messi, Depay played twice against him, which were the 1st and 2nd legs of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League R16 between Barcelona and Lyon. In the tie, Messi scored 2 goals and made 2 assists (out of Barcelona's 5 goals). Here are some pictures featuring both of them:

That is all for today, so as always, I hope you liked this entry and I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi's best performance ever

10 years ago, Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 to win the 2010/11 UCL final. In this game, according to some, Messi made his best performance ever. This is what today's entry will be talking about, without further ado, let's get into Messi's performance.

Messi made some good runs in the first half, managing some dribbles as well, but it would be Pedro who opened up the score for Barcelona. Rooney later equalized the game with a good shot (which came from an offside player), and for the last important play of the first half, Messi made a good run and nearly scored after Villa passed him the ball back, but he couldn't reach the ball for the final shot.

For the second half, Messi shot from out the box for an incredible goal to the near post, a powerful shot that Van Der Sar couldn't save. It was 2-1 for Barcelona at Wembley, as Messi passionately celebrated his goal. For the last goal, Messi made a great run to the box, where he later lost the ball, but it got picked up by Pedro, who passed it to Villa and smashed it into the back of the net for the final scoreline of 3-1. Messi couldn't be any happier as he celebrated the goal, smashing his fists into the air while kneeling on the ground.

As the final whistle was heard, Barcelona became champions of Europe. It was their 4th Champions League in their history, and Messi's 3rd. Messi was in the ToTS, won the top scorer award with 12 goals, and made the most dribbles in the competition (71). And for his position, he made the most short passes (739) and passes overall (748).

His stats from the game were: 1 goal, 3 SoT (5 in total), 4 key passes, 10 dribbles, 1 through-ball, 6 fouls won, 92/100 passes, and 125 touches. This earned him a perfect 10/10 WhoScored rating. This was his heatmap:

And this was his performance on video:

As already stated, this performance won Barcelona the UCL final against Manchester United. And with how good and crucial this game was, it's reasonable to say that it was Messi's best performance ever. I hope you liked this entry, and as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi vs the referees part 6

It's time for part 6 of the series. There is still much more to cover about refereeing errors against Messi, so let's go straight to them.

The first one we'll be seeing is a poorly canceled 1v1 for Messi in the 2017-18 Copa del Rey final. It could have easily been a goal for him but the linesman called a non-existent offside.

The next error we'll be seeing happened in the recent El Clásico loss in April. Nacho made a bad tackle towards Messi inside the box but nothing happened.

And continuing with that game, there was a foul from Lucas Vázquez to Messi previous to Real Madrid's first goal.

Going way back to the 1st leg of the 2005/06 UCL R16, there's this brutal foul from Del Horno to Messi, but no card was given (not even a foul was called). He later received a red card for another attack on Messi.

And to end this part, there's this awful challenge from Pennant to Messi in the 2006/07 UCL season (2nd leg), which should have been punished with a red card.

That's all for the 6th part of this series. I hope you liked this entry, and as always I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi goals that would have been part 3

It's time for part 3 of this series. There are still many great goals that could have been from Messi, so let's get right into them.

The first one has to be his recent attempt against Atlético Madrid in La Liga. He ran from the halfway line to the box, dribbling past some players, but his shot went slightly past the goal unfortunately.

Next up there's his attempt against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the R16 of the 2011/12 UCL season. There, he made a good run into the box and nutmegged a player before chipping the goalkeeper, a shot which went to the post then out.

The 3rd play we'll be seeing was against Atlético Madrid in the 2008/09 La Liga season away. He made an amazing run to the box and made a powerful shot on goal but it struck the crossbar.

This one is perhaps one of his best goals that didn't end in the back of the net. Against Espanyol at home in the 2016/17 La Liga season, he got a ball from Iniesta, he dribbled past 4 players, and with 4 players pressuring him, shot on target. It was saved by the goalkeeper, but Suárez scored on the rebound.

And last but not least, there's this play against Alavés away in the 2019/20 La Liga season. He sidestepped a player and made a powerful shot on goal, but it unfortunately hit the post.

That was all for this part, so as always, I hope you liked this entry and I'll see you in the next blog.

When Messi broke the internet

Exactly six years ago, Barcelona beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of the UCL semifinals. Messi did a fantastic 10/10 performance with 2 goals and an assist, which was crucial. So without further ado, let's look at Messi's performance in detail.

Not much happened in the first half except for a 1v1 between Suárez and Neuer, created by Messi, which Suárez couldn't convert. But the second half was much better, with a great shot from outside the box that entered the near bottom corner of the goal. And that wasn't the end, because a few minutes later, he received a good pass from Rakitic, and after entering the penalty area, he got rid of Boateng, sending him to the ground, and then made a wonderful chip that went over Neuer. This was the goal that broke the internet, as everyone was in awe at how good he was, including footballers like Drogba, Lineker, Podolski, Lukaku, Alex Morgan, Benteke, etc. In the last minute, Messi made a pass to Neymar that he took to the penalty box and converted, ending the game 3-0.

Messi's stats were the following: 2 goals, 1 assist, 2 big chances created, 4 SoT (4 in total), 9 dribbles, 4 key passes, 2 aerial duels won, 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 32 passes out of 40, and 73 touches. This was his performance on video:

Barcelona later got to the final and then won the Champions League, so this performance was crucial in winning this important tournament. I hope you liked this entry, and as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi vs the referees part 5

With no more content regarding goals wrongfully canceled against Messi, I'll expand on this series including cards wrongfully given, penalties not given, penalties that should have been repeated or aggressions against Messi not sanctioned with a red card. So without further ado, let's look at these decisions.

First off is his red card against Chile in the 2019 Copa América 3rd place playoff spot. In his confrontation with Medel he did nothing wrong, just stood his ground as Medel bumped his chest into him, but the referee still gave him the red card alongside Medel.

Next up is a clear aggression from Pulido to Messi that could have easily been sanctioned with a red card, when Barça faced Huesca at home this season. The referee, however, didn't even signal a foul.

Once again, Medel and Messi meet up in this entry, this time for the 2015 Copa América final. There, Medel kicked Messi in the stomach with no intention of going to the ball, which should have been a red card.

Going forward to 2017, Messi faced Uruguay for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Giménez made a tough tackle at Messi which should have been a red card, but the referee only gave a yellow card.

And last but not least, Messi's penalty miss against PSG should have been retaken due to an invasion from a PSG player. He later benefitted from it too, another reason why it should have been retaken.

That's the end of part 5. I hope you liked this entry, and as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi goals that would have been part 2

It's time to make part 2 of this series, showing even more amazing goals that were almost scored by Messi. There's a plethora of these plays so it will probably be very long, so without further ado, let's get into some more would-have-been goals.

The first one we'll be seeing in this entry happened against Levante in the 2010-11 La Liga season. He made a great solo effort, dribbling past some players and getting into the box, but his shot unfortunately hit the post.

Not long after, in September of 2011, he played against Nigeria in a friendly. In that game, he stole a ball from a rival in the halfway line and ran to the box, dribbling past some players in between, and shot on target, which the keeper saved, but Di María scored in the rebound.

Next up is a game against Las Palmas at home in the 2016-17 La Liga season. Once again, Messi came close to scoring an Olympic goal, but it was saved by the keeper near the goal-line.

In 2012, Messi played a qualifier game for the 2014 World Cup against Uruguay at home. He made a great run, getting past some players and shooting the ball over the keeper, but it hit the crossbar and went out.

And last but not least, in a game against Viktoria Plzen at home in the 2010-11 Champions League season, he made a run to the box dribbling past a player and going past 2 players on the floor. He finished the play with a chip shot which unfortunately hit the post and went to a goal kick.

That's all for the 2nd part. I hope you liked this entry, and as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

When Messi destroyed Real Madrid in the Champions League

April 27th, 2011. Real Madrid and Barça faced each other in the 2010/11 UCL semifinal. Barcelona wanted revenge from the recent Copa del Rey final loss against them, and all eyes were on Messi to deliver.

The rest, as they say, is history. Messi scored one of the greatest goals of all times at the Bernabéu dribbling past half of Real Madrid's team starting a little over the halfway line, as well as scoring with his right foot. Diarra, Ramos, Arbeloa, Marcelo and Casillas were no match for Messi's brilliant play that consolidated Barcelona's win 2-0. The previous goal came from himself after he tapped in a good cross from Afellay.

His stats from the game were the following: 2 goals, 3 key passes, 2 SoT (4 in total), 9 dribbles out of 12, 2 fouls won, 2 shots blocked, 2 through-balls, 53 passes out of 58, and 87 touches. A 10/10 performance from the GOAT. This was his performance on video:

This ended up being crucial since they tied 1-1 in the second leg at the Camp Nou, qualifying them for the final. And on the final itself... everyone knows what happened. This remains one of Messi's best games ever, with one of the best goals ever, and perhaps the best UCL goal ever, being scored coincidentally by the best player ever. I hoped you liked this entry and as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi vs the referees part 4

It's now time for the 4th installment of this series. There's not much else to say so I will proceed to show even more refereeing decisions made against Messi.

First up, we'll be starting with a game from the 2011/12 season. This was against Getafe away. A goal from Messi is canceled due to an offside from Keita, but the reality is that Míchel (a Getafe player) gave the ball to Keita, which cancels the offside and makes the goal valid.

The next error is his wrongfully disallowed goal against Roma (home) in the 2015/16 Champions League season. The linesman said that Neymar was offside, but as it can be seen in this picture, he wasn't. He then assisted Messi's goal before the play was invalidated.

For the 3rd error, we're going back to the 2014/15 season against Celta away. Messi made a great run and dribbled past the goalkeeper to score, but the play was canceled due to an offside. But as it can be seen in the picture, he's not offside.

Next up is his disallowed goal against Getafe away in the 2008/09 season. Messi scores after a rebound form the goalkeeper but it's called off due to an offside. In the video, it can be seen that he's level with the Getafe defender, so it was wrongfully dissallowed.

And for last, in an international friendly in 2013 against Sweden he made a good touch and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, who cleared the ball with a bicycle kick, but as it can be seen in the video, the ball went in.

That's all I have for this part, and as a side note, since I don't have any more disallowed goals, for the next parts I'll count aggressions on Messi not sanctioned or penalties not given due to fouls on Messi. I hope you liked this entry, and as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

The European Super League is suspended

After all the fuss in the previous days about the European Super League, it appears it has now been suspended after the Big 6 from England, Atlético Madrid, and soon enough AC Milan and Inter Milan have left the competition. Barcelona hasn't made a decision yet and will leave it up for a socio vote. So although Messi technically is still in the competition since Barça hasn't left it, the competition is suspended so it most likely won't be played in the next season. Real Madrid and Juventus haven't left yet either, remaining as the only 3 clubs left standing in the competition.

All will continue as usual in the next season then, with Messi playing in the competitions he's always played including the UCL.

There is not much else to report, since Messi hasn't said anything about the competition yet, only a Gatorade ad, an announcement of his new Adidas Nemeziz boots, and an OrCam ad. With nothing else, to say, as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi against European Super League teams

As I promised yesterday, today I will do an entry detailing Messi's statistics against the founding members of the European Super League, minus Barcelona of course. I will divide this into sections to make it more simple.

The first section are the Spanish clubs, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. I have already detailed Messi's paternity over Real Madrid, with 26 goals and 14 assists in 45 games. Against Atlético Madrid, he's scored 32 goals and made 5 assists in 42 games against them. It makes for a total of 58 goals and 19 assists in 87 games.

Now onto English clubs. I already made a detailed entry about Messi's stats against the Big 6, which can be found here. In total, he has scored 26 goals and gave 6 assists in only 34 games. Another section where Messi has no problem.

And for last, there's the Italian teams: Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. I did a detailed entry about Messi's stats against all Italian teams he's faced,w which can be found here. Against AC Milan, he has 8 goals and 2 assists in only 8 games, then Juventus, who he has 3 goals and 1 assist against in 7 games, and finally Inter Milan, with 0 goals and 1 assist in 4 games.

In total, he has scored 95 goals and given 29 assists in only 140 to European Super League teams, more than Ronaldo, his closest competitor. So if the tournament is confirmed, we already have a "Mr. European Super League". But until then, I'll see you in the next blog.

When Messi does solo goals

Doing a solo goal is no easy task. It usually requires good dribbling abilities, which I previously detailed in Messi's case (in my "The best dribbler in history" entry and continuation), and also a relatively good speed and deacceleration to get close to the goal. But for Messi, there are many cases of him doing this, which I will detail below.

Some of his most popular solo goals are of course his run against Getafe in the 2006/07 Copa del Rey semi-finals, emulating Maradona, his solo goal against Athletic Bilbao in the 2014/15 Copa del Rey final, which I will expand on in a later entry, and his goal against Real Madrid in the 2010/11 UCL semi-finals.

But those are not his only solo goals by any means. A great video by Messi Magic™ shows 20 solo goals from Messi, an insane amount from any other footballer, but normal for the Argentine.

I hope you liked this entry, and as always, I'll see you in the next blog.

Messi swapping shirts

It's not often that we see Messi swapping shirts with other players, but it's clear that a lot of people would want a shirt from him so it does happen from time to time.

The first recorded instance was in June 24th, 2006, against Mexico in the 2006 World Cup R16. He swapped shirts with Rafael Márquez (team-mate of his in Barcelona at the time).

The next instance was in February 20th 2008, in the UCL R16 first leg against Celtic. Here, he swapped shirts with Celtic's captain Stephen Mcmanus after the final whistle, and both handshaked afterward.

In 2012, after the first leg 3-1 win against Bayer Leverkusen away in the 2011/12 UCL R16, Messi was seen swapping shirts with Czech defender Michal Kadlec, who had previously fought with his team-mate Friedrich over who would get the shirt. Coincidentally, both featured a year later on the Czech version of FIFA 14's cover.

He once again swapped shirts only 2 rounds later in the same UCL, when he swapped shirts with John Terry after the 2011/12 UCL semi-final first leg against Chelsea. He had previously faced the English defender multiple times in the Champions League.

Later on in the same year, he swapped shirts with his idol Pablo Aimar, after beating Benfica 2-0 with 2 assists from him.

In the same UCL season, after the end of the second leg between Barcelona and PSG, Messi and his compatriot Lavezzi exchanged shirts.

In September 2013, after winning 4-0 against Rayo Vallecano, he swapped shirts with Argentine striker Joaquín Larrivey.

In January 2014, he swapped shirts with Arda Turan after Barcelona and Atlético Madrid tied 0-0 in La Liga. He later joined Barcelona 1 ½ years later.

Next up is Argentina against Jamaica in the 2015 Copa América, which ended 1-0 for Argentina. At the end of the game, he swapped shirts with Jobi McAnuff, Jamaica's Nº 10.

Not long after, in August of that same year, he swapped shirts with Roma legend Totti to auction for Roma Cares & Fundación Barça.

The same year, in November, and involving Roma again, Messi exchanged shirts with Lucas Digne, defender of the Italian team.

In April 2017, after Barcelona got kicked out of the UCL on a 3-0 aggregate against Juventus, Chiellini and Bonucci fought over who would get Messi's jersey, which Bonucci ultimately won.

Then, in August, he swapped shirts with Alan Ruschel, one of the few survivors of Chapecoense's plane crash back in November 2016.

After the first-leg draw between Barcelona and Chelsea in the UCL R16, Messi and ex-team-mate Fabregas swapped shirts with eachother.

After the 2018 World Cup clash between Iceland and Argentina, Messi swapped shirts with Birkir Bjarnason.

In January 2019, after winning 2-1 against Getafe with a goal from Messi, he exchanged shirts with Getafe's goalkeeper Jaime Mata.

In March 2019, despite the known rivalry between Barcelona and Espanyol, young left-back Adria Pedrosa asked for Messi's shirt after the end of the game (which was won 2-0 thanks to Messi's brace). It shows that even fierce rivals admit his greatness.

In the Copa América of the same year, he exchanged shirts with Junior Moreno after Argentina won 2-0 against Venezuela.

In October, after beating Inter Milan 2-1 with an assist from him, he swapped shirts with his compatriot Lautaro Martínez.

In the same UCL season, in the first leg R16 game against Napoli, he swapped shirts with Lorenzo Insigne.

In October of the same year, he swapped shirts with Carlos Grueso from Ecuador, after Argentina won 1-0 with a goal from Messi.

Then, in December, he exchanged shirts with Italian legend Buffon after Barcelona lost 3-0 to Juventus.

In February of 2021, after beating Elche 3-0 with 2 goals from him, he exchanged shirts with Elche's goalkeeper, Edgar Badia, in a heartwarming scene.

And finally, the last one I found was when he swapped shirts with his countryman Icardi after PSG kicked Barça out of the UCL.

This has been my longest entry yet, and I worked very hard to find all of these, so I hoped you liked it and I'll see you in the next blog.