Messi a flop? Only three players have more assists in Europe now
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 27 Feb 2022 15:22 GMT
- 3 min read
Lionel Messi has been almost unanimously described as one of the transfer flops of the season but, perhaps, we should be starting to revise this statement.
Messi completed a shock Bosman Transfer to PSG last summer after he was unable for legal and financial reasons to sign a new contract with Barcelona.
The Argentine legend broke every record possible during over two decades at Barca, including scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.
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However, much has been said about Messi’s slow start in Paris.
It took him until November 20 to score his first Ligue 1 goal and by the turn of the year, the 34-year-old only had one league goal and four assists (three of these assists coming in one game).
Even now, as we move into March, Messi has still scored just two Ligue 1 goals this season, although he does have five strikes in six games in the Champions League.
However, one area of his game where Messi has exploded in recently has been when it comes to creating goals.
He has six assists in seven games in 2022 and has suddenly roared up the standings of the best assist men in Europe this season.
On Saturday, the attacker again impressed as he provided two assists in the 3-1 with over Saint-Etienne.
In total, Messi now has 10 assists in Ligue 1 in 2021-22.
Only three players in Europe’s top five leagues of the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 have more assists.
These are Thomas Muller, who is way out in front with 16 assists for Bayern Munich.
Then, there are two players who have 11 assists – just one more than Messi. These are Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi – who was the first player in Europe to reach double figures for goals and assists this season – and Messi’s PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe.
Europe's Leading Assist Makers 21/22 (27 Feb)
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Muller | Bayern Munich | 16 |
| Domenico Berardi | Sassuolo | 11 |
| Kylian Mbappe | PSG | 11 |
| Lionel Messi | PSG | 10 |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 10 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | 10 |
| Florian Wirtz | Bayer Leveruksen | 10 |
There are then four players on 10 assists; Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz, as well as Messi.
Who would rule out Messi continuing his fantastic creative form and ending the season as the top assist man in Europe?
