Took the opportunity to explore @StatsBomb data on #Messi and #Barcelona. From Messi& #39;s first full season in La Liga to 18/19, it& #39;s amazes me to think how you can be that consistent for nearly a decade, averaging almost a goal a game! Some more things coming up...
When #Messi& #39;s goals are compared to his expected goals, it just show& #39;s how good a finisher he is. Whilst Messi is constantly outperforming his XG, that 2012/13 season was just something else! #statsbomb
#Messi& #39;s heatmap for goals from 06/07 to 18/19 is broadly consistent with Messi playing the False 9 role/cutting in from the left, with goals largely being scored on the right half of the 18 yard area. With FKs becoming part of the arsenal, Messi is also adding range #statsbomb
But wait there& #39;s more! #Messi& #39;s goals against teams (where he& #39;s played at least 4 games) show& #39;s he& #39;s equally reliable against the big teams, compared with the smaller teams. You have to wonder what the people of Seville did to Messi to get him to score so many against them!