Lionel Messi’s recent struggles against Real Madrid continued on Saturday as Barcelona were beaten 3-1 by their La Liga rivals.
Messi hasn’t scored against Real in his past seven games against them. The last time he netted in El Clasico, Cristiano Ronaldo was playing for Los Blancos.
It’s easy to be concerned by Messi’s numbers this season. He’s managed just one goal in the league in five matches, which is a worry.
Messi made it clear in the summer that he had become disillusioned with life at the Camp Nou and wanted out.
His desire to leave next year will only grow if he begins to feel out of sorts in Ronald Koeman’s system.
WhoScored gave the Argentinian their lowest grade of the season so far at just 6.57.
But a new video of his performance has emerged that shows his performance in a different light.
A close-up video focusing on Messi’s display shows that he was responsible for orchestrating Barcelona’s attacks and was their most dangerous attacking threat.
He even helped out defensively.
'What the stats don’t show you’
Real resorted to fouling Messi to keep him quiet and were relieved when Thibaut Courtois kept him out with a fine save.
The video was shared on Twitter with the caption: ‘Lionel Messi vs Real Madrid: What the cameras and ratings apps don’t show you’.
It comes with commentary of Messi’s display.
“In the second half, Messi continued starting all the plays, continued asking for the ball, continuing creating spaces and continued speeding everything up,” the commentator assesses.
Two second-half goals from Real sealed a 3-1 win for the visitors, but the blame shouldn’t fall at Messi’s feet.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been left to save Barcelona for a few years now.
But as he continues to find his feet under Koeman, that won’t always be possible. Especially against talented opposition like Real.
The goals will soon come and we'll be left to laugh at just how many people thought this was the end of Messi as an elite performer.