What if: Lionel Messi had signed for Real Madrid?

4. Barcelona would have been less successful; domestically and in Europe

8 La Liga titles, 4 Copa del Rey crowns, 4 Champions League trophies... just how much of those would Barcelona have won without Lionel Messi doing his thing for the blaugrana? Barcelona is the epitome of modern footballing success, and despite them having had a number of superstars in this period, including Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Xavi and the incomparable Andres Iniesta, the spine of that was Leo Messi.

Apart from the first two seasons, when a 17 year old Messi was setling in, he has been crucial for Barca. And the number of goals he has scored in seasons 5 to 12 validate this – 38, 47, 53, 73(!!), 60, 41, 58 and 41. This season it’s already 30 and counting.

On a side note – He really is more machine than man isn’t he? WHAT ARE THOSE NUMBERS!

Barcelona’s success, while driven by the ethos of team-spirit and pass-the-ball-better than anyone else is, has been built on those Messi numbers and this leads to another point that has as much influence on the wider footballing world –

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Edited by Staff Editor