Leo Messi won the Ballon d’or in 2019 and yet we are calling him Underrated? Today, we’re diving into a topic that might ruffle some feathers but trust me, it’s worth it.
We’re talking about the GOAT himself, Lionel Messi, and a season that doesn’t get enough love. Buckle up, because we’re about to explore Leo Messi’s most underrated version: the 2018-19 season.
Why Was Leo Messi the most underrated player in 2018-19?
The Legend of Leo
Before we jump in, let’s recap why Messi is such a big deal:
- 8x Ballon d’Or winner (that’s insane!)
- 4x UEFA Champions League titles
- 10x La Liga crowns
- 2x Copa America champ
- 1x FIFA World Cup winner (finally!)
- 800+ career goals (and counting)
Messi’s been crushing it for years, but there’s one season that stands out as criminally underrated. Yep, you guessed it – 2018-19.
Why 2018-19?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “What about 2012 when he scored 91 goals?” or “2015 when Barca won the treble?” Sure, those were insane too. But hear me out.
In 2018-19, Messi reached a new level of ridiculous. And he did it without the superstar supporting cast of his earlier years.
The Perfect Storm (of Talent)
From 2009-2012, Messi had it made:
- Pep Guardiola as coach (tactical genius alert!)
- Prime Xavi and Iniesta in midfield (passing wizards)
- Busquets holding it down (Mr. Reliable)
- Puyol leading the defense (Captain Fantastic)
It was like the Avengers of football. Messi was the star, but he had a killer squad backing him up.
Fast forward to 2018-19, and things looked… different.
Flying Solo
In 2018-19, Messi was practically a one-man show:
- No more Xavi or Iniesta (😢)
- An aging squad
- A coach (Valverde) who was… let’s say “not Pep”
- Only one teammate (Ter Stegen) even made the Ballon d’Or shortlist
Messi had to do it all. And boy, did he deliver.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Brace yourselves, because these stats are wild:
La Liga Domination
- 36 goals (Golden Shoe winner)
- 13 assists
- 92 chances created
- 6 free-kicks scored
- 7 braces
- 3 hat-tricks
He was involved in 54.5% of Barca’s league goals. That’s bonkers!
Champions League Heroics
- Top scorer with 12 goals in 10 games
All Competitions
- 51 goals in 49 games
- 19 assists
- Scored or assisted in 75.5% of his appearances
Breaking It Down
Let’s get even more specific:
- 44 left-foot goals (magic foot alert!)
- 7 right-foot goals (he’s not just one-footed!)
- 5 penalties
- 8 free-kicks (double any other player in top leagues)
- 14 goals from outside the box (sniper mode activated)
Magical Moments
Some goals are so good, they deserve their own spotlight:
- The Chip vs. Real Betis Picture this: Messi’s third goal of the game, a delicate chip that left the keeper frozen. It was so beautiful, even the Betis fans applauded. That’s respect.
- The Volley vs. Sevilla A stunning volley that should’ve won goal of the year. The technique was out of this world.
- That Freekick vs Liverpool in the Champions League Semi Final, even though Barcelona bottled the lead in the second leg, that is one of the most eye pleasing freekick ever.
Big Game Player
Messi didn’t just stat-pad against weak teams. He showed up when it mattered:
- Tottenham at Wembley: 2 goals, 2 posts, and involved in 2 more. A complete masterclass.
- Liverpool in Champions League semis: Dominated both legs, including a 600th Barca goal free-kick stunner.
Even in the infamous 4-0 loss at Anfield, Messi created three one-on-ones for teammates. Not his fault they couldn’t finish.
Carrying the Team
Messi’s supporting cast in 2018-19 was… not great:
- Coutinho struggling to fit in
- Dembele still raw
- Midfield lacking creativity
- Suarez past his prime
Messi had to be the playmaker, goalscorer, and creator all in one. It was like playing FIFA on Ultimate mode.
The Complete Package
What made 2018-19 Messi so special? He was the ultimate hybrid:
- Goalscorer ✅
- Playmaker ✅
- Dribbler ✅
- Free-kick specialist ✅
He was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers.
Here’s a mind-blowing stat: Messi played 48 successful through-balls in La Liga. The next best? 9. He was literally five times better than anyone else at the hardest pass in football.
The 6th Ballon d’Or
Messi won the 2019 Ballon d’Or, even without winning the Champions League. That’s how good he was. He beat out Champions League winner Virgil van Dijk because, well, he was just that incredible.
I know people still debate this Ballon d’Or but if you look at it Barcelona were just 3 games away from winning another historic Treble, and it was all because of Leo Messi that they were even in that position.
So yeah you could debate it but Messi very much deserved the Ballon d’Or as much as anyone else on that list.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it, folks. Leo Messi’s most underrated version: the 2018-19 season. It might not have the trophy haul of some other years, but in terms of individual brilliance? It’s hard to top.
Next time someone brings up Messi’s best seasons, don’t forget to mention 2018-19. It’s the year he truly did it all, with less help than ever before.
Remember, greatness isn’t just about trophies. Sometimes, it’s about making magic happen when the odds are stacked against you. And in 2018-19, Messi was the ultimate magician.
