Another stat for you via OptaJean: Lionel Messi has scored more goals (29) and delivered more assists (17) than any other player in the top 5 leagues this season. Decent.
I love the fact that he didn't talk for 24 hours. Winner as Charlie Sheen would probably say. Messi is such a child when it comes to football. And that's a compliment.
In the 16 official games he played in 2011, Messi at least scored 1 goal or gave 1 assist every game (via barcastuff)
And I don't think he's even been as brilliant in 2011 as he was in the first half of the season.
When CR9 won it in 2008 (or should it be in 2009? Anyway...) for his 42-goal season in 07/08, he had a nothing Euro 2008 and not a very good start for his 08/09 season. Yet he still won it because of the douple with United. So if Barcelona win something, I think it's quite plausible that Messi...
Decent in the first half, nice assist for Villa's goal. But I don't understand for the life of me what they were trying to do in the second half. Sit on a 1-0 lead? That's not really the Barca-way, is it?
It's quite ridiculous to think, after hearing some of the transfer fees going around in England, that Messi barely cost anything to Barcelona. The same with Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol, Valdes, Pedro etc.
All-time Barcelona goalscorers > Cesar 235 - Kubala 196 - Samitier 178 - Escola 164 - Messi 162 (messistats)
Quite incredible to think that if he scores 30 more goals this season, he will be second. At the age of 23. And if he continues from here, he will be the all time highest goalscorer in...