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Assists in football has become one of the major attributes while judging a player's creativity but sometimes, it can also be deceiving.
So, I decided to look into Messi's 300 assists and count the ones which are actually worth more than the goal itself. Again, it can be
So, I decided to look into Messi's 300 assists and count the ones which are actually worth more than the goal itself. Again, it can be
subjective because of how we look into things. To make it balanced, I will only count those which had left the goal scorer one on one with the keeper and those which are scored from very close range (almost within the range of penalty spot) with one or two touches.
It is almost 200 and that is outrageous. After 50 assists, I stopped counting goals from Messi's set-pieces. Also, I didn't count the goals where his teammate had to outmuscle the opponent even if it was inside the box and it was just 1-2 touches.
200 out of 300 is brilliant but as I said assists can be deceiving and that was the case in this process as well. Few times, Messi just had to square the ball to the goal scorer. In that case, it was easy for both Messi and the goal scorer. That's why, I think we have to value
pre-assist more (not saying in every case but when it leaves both the assister and goal scorer with easy job).
Types of assist I didn't count:
1. Goal scored from outside the box
2. Messi didn't even intended to pass
3. Touch of genius from the goal scorer even if it was just two touches around penalty area
4. Crosses when there are many players inside the box
1. Goal scored from outside the box
2. Messi didn't even intended to pass
3. Touch of genius from the goal scorer even if it was just two touches around penalty area
4. Crosses when there are many players inside the box
5. Well, I felt like Bojan take of the ball was more harder than Messi's pass.
6. Shots which looked difficult to me even though it was one touch shot inside the box.
Video credit to Leo Messi Turkiye. Mention if someone knows him.
6. Shots which looked difficult to me even though it was one touch shot inside the box.
Video credit to Leo Messi Turkiye. Mention if someone knows him.
I didn't even include this assist to give more credit to the goal scorer.
Now, look at this pass from Messi. Great run from Suarez but the pass from Messi still worth more than the assist and goal itself. And I believe Messi has plenty of these in his career.
Video credit to MAcompsHD. Mention if you know him.
Video credit to MAcompsHD. Mention if you know him.
Above video is one of many reasons why assist stats can give false image to the creative ability of a player. Even after excluding so many assists, Leo still has almost 200 which is brilliant in itself. What's more impressive is he has 100 more passes like the one he gave to Luis
Not just the final passes, Messi is equally good with link-up play, switching the flanks with pinpoint long balls, etc. and he blends that with utmost precision and awareness. Leo is in fact one of a kind.
RTs are appreciated @BayernLM10 @irealkamran @art_foot
RTs are appreciated @BayernLM10 @irealkamran @art_foot
