Lionel Messi’s season has ended in disappointment.The Argentinian was on the losing side in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, Valencia beating Barcelona 2-1.It wasn’t that long ago that Barcelona harboured dreams of winning the treble.But they were beaten by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final and were stunned by Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.A hugely sorry way for their season to end, then.
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Yet, from an individual perspective, Messi has enjoyed yet another incredible campaign.
Despite failing in their attempts to win the treble, Messi is still the favourite to win the 2019 Ballon d’Or award.
Messi's final 18-19 stats
He won the European Golden Shoe for the sixth time in his career, scoring 36 goals in La Liga.
In all competitions, the 31-year-old scored 51 goals in in 49 matches, and also contributed 19 assists.
Contributing to 70 goals in one season is just ridiculous.
Not only was Messi Barcelona’s chief goalscorer this season but he was also their primary playmaker, creating 46 chances.
The lasting memory in many people’s eyes will be the defeats against Liverpool and Valencia, but Barcelona’s failures shouldn’t count against Messi.
He was certainly not to blame.
Having failed in their attempts to win the Champions League, the Copa del Rey provided an opportunity for Barcelona to redeem themselves.
But they produced a hugely disappointing performance in the final on Saturday evening.
Goals in the first half by Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo gave Valencia a 2-0 lead but Messi set up a tense finish when he scored from close range in the 73rd minute.
But Valencia managed to keep Barcelona out for the remainder of the match, securing their eighth Copa del Rey trophy in history.
It’s crucially important that Barcelona strengthen in the summer.
They have also secured the signing of Frenkie de Jong, and Antoine Griezmann and Matthijs de Ligt could soon follow.