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New Close-Up Footage Of Lionel Messi's Performance Against Real Madrid 'Shows What The Stats Don’t'

New Close-Up Footage Of Lionel Messi's Performance Against Real Madrid 'Shows What The Stats Don’t'

"Lionel Messi vs Real Madrid: What the cameras and ratings apps don’t show you..."

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

A compilation of Lionel Messi's 'lowest rating of the season' performance against Real Madrid is proof that stats don't always tell the full story.

The Barcelona forward was handed a WhoScored rating of 6.57 in last weekend's clash at the Camp Nou; his lowest of the campaign to date as Zinedine Zidane's side secured all three points with a deserved 3-1 win.

Messi, who hasn't scored or assisted in his last six El Clasico appearances, was far from his scintillating best, despite providing a sublime pass to Jordi Alba in the build-up to Ansu Fati's eighth minute equaliser.

But the low rating may be seen as unjust, judging by the following close-up footage of his performance.


As you can see in the video, Messi was arguably Barca's most effective player in the final third but was often let down by his teammates at the vital moment.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was also responsible for the majority of attacks and helped out in defensive areas; something that rarely gets noticed during live play.

"In the second half, Messi continued starting all the plays, continued asking for the ball, continuing creating spaces and continued speeding everything up," the commentator says.

In the La Liga clash, the Catalan giants had two penalty appeals turned down, including a Raphael Varane challenge on Lionel Messi.

Barca manager Ronald Koeman was baffled by the decisions and questioned VAR in his post-match comments.

"I don't understand VAR, I think it is only used to make decisions against Barca," said Koeman.

"You always get shirt tugs like that in the area and I think Ramos makes a foul on Lenglet first. There's a tug of the shirt, but not enough to make him fall behind as he did. For me it's not a penalty.

"We have had five matches and [VAR] has only been used to go against Barca. It's never gone our way.

"The decision had a big influence on the final result, because we were playing well up to the penalty."

Thoughts on Messi's performance against Real Madrid?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: La Liga/beinSPORTS

Topics: Football, Barcelona, Messi, Real Madrid, La Liga