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Lionel Messi broke millions of Barcelona hearts when the star player announced he was leaving his beloved club. Undoubtedly one of the greatest in the history of football, Messi has dazzled fans for years and became the heartthrob of Barca fans during his glorious stint there.
Messi signed for PSG at the start of the 2021-22 season and became part of a fearsome attack that already had the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria. However, the Argentine player hasn’t been able to perform to his brilliant standards in Paris till now.
Messi has one goal and six assists in 12 league appearances and has a whoscored.com league rating of 7.36. These ratings are based on a number of factors and take into account the overall performance of a player.
Here we take a look at the five players who have surprisingly performed better than Leo Messi in their leagues this season:
#5 Patrik Schick
Patrik Schick is having the season of his life. The player was quite impressive with the Czech Republic in the Euros, and also won the Goal of the Tournament award for his stunning strike from the halfway line against Scotland. The Bayer Leverkusen forward has flourished in the Bundesliga and ranks amongst the best strikers in the league.
Patrik Schick’s league rating according to whoscored.com is an admirable 7.56. The Czech international player has 18 goals and three assists in just 17 Bundesliga appearances this season. The 26-year-old’s scoring rate has been incredible this season and has contributed nearly half of Bayer Leverkusen’s goals.
Schick’s continued his brilliant run of form even after sustaining an injury in late October. He is the second leading goalscorer in the Bundesliga, only behind Robert Lewandowski, who has 23 goals. Leverkusen have been impressive this season and are third in the league.
#4 Lorenzo Pellegrini
Lorenzo Pellegrini began his footballing journey in the Roma academy and grew up idolizing club legends. Pellegrini is now living the dream as his beloved team’s captain. The midfielder has earned a lot of plaudits from manager Jose Mourinho, who believes the 25-year-old can “do everything”.
Pellegrini’s rating based on league performances is 7.43. The Roma captain has bossed the midfield and has been one of the best performers in the Serie A. The Italian has six goals and four assists in 15 league appearances so far.
Pellegrini has recovered from an injury he sustained while training in January and the player is expected to be back in the squad for Roma’s game against Genoa. Roma are currently sixth in the Serie A and the Champions League places seem to be slipping from their grasp. Jose Mourinho will undoubtedly marshall his troops into giving it their all in the remaining games.
#3 Gerard Moreno
Gerard Moreno joined Villareal in 2018 and has been a consistent performer for The Yellow Submarine as an attacker. The Spaniard netted 30 goals across all competitions in 2021, becoming the first player to do so for Villarreal since Giuseppe Rossi.
The Spaniard had an excellent Europa League campaign last season with Villareal. His contributions were key to them securing their first-ever Europa League title. Moreno scored seven goals in the campaign and was awarded the Golden Boot.
Moreno has a rating of 7.65 based on league performances this season. He has scored eight goals and provided two assists in just 12 La Liga appearances. Injuries have tormented the Spaniard and he has missed a considerable chunk of the season. Villareal are currently seventh in the league and fighting for a spot in next year’s Champions League.
#2 Sofiane Boufal
Sofiane Boufal has been one of Angers’ most influential players this season. The winger joined the French side in 2020 but has found his true form this season. Boufal joined Angers from Southampton, with whom he spent four years. Boufal was sub-par in the Premier League and left the Saints on a free transfer.
Boufal’s league performances have earned him a whoscored rating of 7.40. The Morocco international has five goals and four assists in 18 Ligue 1 appearances so far. Angers are currently 12th in Ligue 1, six points behind Strasbourg, who are in fourth.
Boufal has been impressive with Morocco in the AFCON as well. The winger finished the tournament with three goals, which was the highest for the team. Morocco were eliminated by Egypt in a thrilling quarterfinal in late January.
#1 Nabil Fekir
Nabil Fekir has been outstanding for Real Betis ever since signing for them from Lyon in 2019. The Frenchman is adored by fans for his flair and creativity. Fekir was rumored to be leaving the club, but Betis recently announced that the midfielder has signed a new deal that will keep him until 2026.
Nabil Fekir’s league rating so far is 7.52. The Frenchman has four goals and six assists for Betis in La Liga this season. Fekir has contributed to nearly one-fourth of his side’s goals in the league.
Betis have exceeded all expectations and are currently third in La Liga. Fekir has masterfully controlled the midfield and his contributions have been vital to his side’s impressive position in the league.
