Leo Messi has never played such defining role for his team at Barcelona. Goal's Ben Heyward explains why it's so.
It goes without saying that Messi is Barca's most important player. But he has never before been this influential for the club as this season. Even the hard-fought Barcelona victory against Deportivo that sealed the title for Barca wouldn't be possible without Messi.
Back in August when after Neymar left the club and Barca lost the Supercopa to Real Madrid 31 and 2-0, it seemed not possible at all. It all comes down to the change of formation after the Brazilian left Barcelona for PSG. From 4-3-3 with Neymar on the left, Messi on the right and Suarez in the middle, Ernesto Valverde switched to 4-4-2.
"The change to 4-4-2 made Barca more narrow, while the signing of Paulinhogave the team a player adept at timing his runs into the box, but one who offered little to the construction of attacks in midfield.
"So, in many ways, Messi was left all alone. This season, the Argentine has been Barca's main scorer and also the chief creator. His hat-trick on Sunday means he now has 32 for the Blaugrana in La Liga this term and also 12 assists," writes Ben Hayward.
"When Barca have needed goals, he has provided them. When the team have cried out for creativity, he has produced it. When rival defences have stood strong, he has found a way through. In the title test against Atletico in early April, again it was Messi who made the difference as he netted the only goalin a 1-0 win with a fantastic free-kick, one of six he has scored in La Liga this season."
His performance against Sevilla, when he came off the bench and turned the game in two minutes to save Barcelona from 2-0 defeat probably epitomises the season. So, when Barcelona claimed the title at Deportivo there was no doubt who won it. Messi might have scored more goals in the other seasons, but he never was this influential.
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