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#2 The overdependence on Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is by far the greatest player in the history of Barcelona. It is undeniable that the 32-year-old has played a major role in the club’s transformation into a super-club in the last 15 years.
With 606 goals and counting, Messi is miles ahead as the club’s record goalscorer. He also leads the way in terms of assists provided (234) and trophies won (34).
Given the Argentine's extraterrestrial talent and ability, it stands to reason that Barcelona depend on him to bail them out of tight spots. And Messi’s unique game-changing ability means that he steps up to the plate more often than not.
However, Messidependencia has reached alarming proportions in recent years, and the club have proven to be woefully inadequate in his absence.
Last season, the Rosario native scored 36 and assisted 13 goals for a total direct goal involvement of 49. When you consider that Barcelona scored 90 goals in the league last season, you realize that their captain was directly involved in 54% of the goals the Catalans scored.
Add in the fact that the Argentine international also recorded a lot of pre-assists and initiated moves that led to goals, and his extreme importance becomes much clearer.
Furthermore, in the Champions League, Messi failed to score a quarterfinal goal between 2013 and 2018. It came as no surprise that the club qualified past this stage just once in this time-frame.
A recurring calf injury delayed Messi’s start to the campaign and without him, Barcelona’s season threatened to descend into chaos. But his return has helped calm the storm at Camp Nou.
Over the course of his career Messi has shown a penchant for not getting injured, and having speedy recoveries on the few occasions when he does get on the treatment table. But for all of his superhuman abilities, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is very much human like the rest of us. And given his advancing age, his physical form is no longer in peak condition.
If Messi is to suffer any major injury scare this season, it is highly likely that Barcelona would struggle in his absence. And that could in turn have a big impact on their ability to go all the way in LaLiga.
