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Lionel Messi’s stats without Xavi, Iniesta and Neymar will silence every critic

The Argentine can't just stop scoring
The Argentine can't just stop scoring

What is the story?

Lionel Messi’s goalscoring prowess since Xavi, Iniesta and Neymar's departure from the Camp Nou has been nothing less than astounding.

Messi has already scored 181 goals in just 193 games since the departure of Xavi in 2015.

After Neymar’s big money move to the French giants PSG, the Barcelona ace scored on 82 occasions in just 92 appearances.

Following Iniesta’s shock move to Japan last summer, Lionel Messi has scored a staggering amount of 41 times in just 38 games.

In case you didn’t know….

Messi’s legacy in Barcelona has always been questioned by the critics throughout the last decade or so. His critics have always suggested that the two Spanish legendary midfielders Xavi and Iniesta, are the main reason behind the Argentine’s success and the day these two will retire Messi will struggle to inspire the Catalan giants.

While some of them claimed, Neymar was a key cog behind Messi’s accomplishments in Barcelona. Neymar’s ability to draw the attention of the opponent defenders has helped Messi immensely to dominate the world of football like no one else.

The Barcelona talisman has been in his scintillating best this campaign. The 31-year-old has already scored 41 times and provided as many as 15 assists to his teammates in just 38 appearances this season. Messi helped Barcelona to gain another three points in La Liga against a determined Espanyol after netting a brace which included a beautifully orchestrated Panenka freekick.

The heart of the matter…

Recently released stats from Barca Universal showed Messi’s brutality in front of goal and also his goal-scoring ability without the help of Xavi, Iniesta or Neymar.

There is no shame in admitting the fact that Messi is the main reason behind Barcelona’s success throughout the last decade as he rescued the Catalan giants several times from the jaws of defeat in the past few years. It’s because of Messi, the 5-time UEFA Champions League winners are dreaming of their third potential “treble” in the last decade.

What’s Next?

Barcelona will want an in-form Lionel Messi as their Champions League quarter-final tie is just on the horizon against Manchester United. Messi is expected to start Barcelona’s next game against Villarreal on Tuesday in La Liga.

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