Statistical Analysis: Why Messi's Omission from FIFA's Best is an Absolute Mockery of Football

#3 Passing

Messi dominates the passing charts as well

For the passing numbers, the key passes per game are plotted against the total passes per game. A key pass is a pass which results in a teammate having a shot. Thus, assists are a subset of key passes and the latter is a better indicator of creativity as it removes the dependency on the teammate's accuracy.

Modric expectedly tops the passing charts with 60.8 passes per game but Messi has a surprisingly high tally with 51.6. This is due to his modified role with Barcelona, where he drops deep to initiate play and create chances. Ronaldo and Salah are not that involved in the buildup, as both complete less than 30 passes per game.

In key passes, Messi is at the top with 2.3, followed by Salah at 1.9 and Modric and Ronaldo at 1.5 and 1.3 respectively. And most of those 2.3 make you go weak at the knees.