While Lionel Messi has scored five goals in the Champions League so far, his performances in Ligue 1 tell a different story. The PSG forward has only scored one goal and provided three assists in seven games this season.
He switched professional clubs for the first time this season, saying a tearful goodbye to Barcelona, where he hoped he would retire. Embarking on a new journey, reunited with former Barca teammate Neymar, Messi’s performances have dropped in comparison to his form at Barcelona.
What are Messi’s Numbers?
And considering the external circumstances surrounding him, it feels only natural for it to happen. Messi has the joint-worst conversion rate of any player in Europe’s top five leagues alongsideMainz striker Karim Onisiwo, although the list is taken from players who have had 25 shots or more at goal. The Argentinian has a conversion rate of 2.9% in front of goal.
To add to the surprise, Harry Kane sits in third place, with the defending Premier League Golden Boot winner a shadow of the player we saw last season.
Mauricio Pochettino has come under fire for the team being unable to produce the output that is expected of them. However, they are first in the league and qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 4-1 win over Brugge.
Messi has a contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2023 with the option for another year. But, no matter how long the seven-time Ballon d’Or award winner stays, fans will be expecting him to get back to firing on all fronts soon.
