2015: Another year of Lionel Messi

When a 5’ 7” substituted Deco on 16^th October 2004 for his debut with the first team, No one thought he will be this great to be compared with Pele and Maradona. As time passed, world watched a wonder to shatter all the records previously thought as impossible to be broken. This blog is dedicated to performance of him in 2015 only.

Lionel Messi started year 2015 on a bit low due to defeat of Argentina in world cup final, though his individual performance was above par and he won Golden Ball for it. After the world cup, he did what a champion is meant to do. He came back on a stronger note and helped his team to break all the previous goal scoring records and during the course of it, helped his team to win 5 trophies of the 6 available to win.

Signing of Luis Suarez caused Messi to shift as a right winger. Luis Enrique provided Messi his freedom to roam on the pitch. He now falls back as a midfielder and provides stunning lob balls over the defense to Neymar. He even acts as a CAM sometimes. This change of style in his play only increased his vision and he improved himself as a playmaker further.

At the start of 2015, FC Barcelona was very messy.

The club lost its first match of the year and there were speculation in media over a fight between Lionel Messi and Luis Enrique. Things start turning in favor of FC Barcelona when MSN scored together against Atletico Madrid. The rest of 2014-15 season saws domination of Barcelona and the trident of Messi, Neymar and Suarez scored a record 122 goals in single season. Messi scored the only goal against Atletico Madrid on 17^th may which secured the La Liga title. He was 2^nd highest goal scorer with 43 goals and top assist provider with 18 assists.

He also surpassed Luis Figo as highest assist provider of all time in La Liga. He was declared La Liga’s best player of the year award in later half of the year.

In Copa Del Rey final, He scored 2 goals and provided an assist in 3-1 score line against Athletic Bilbao. His opening goal was one of the greatest goals ever. He took ball from Dani Alves near half line dribbled past 4 opposing players and scored a lovely finish in tight space. The goal was nominated as one of the three finalist of FIFA Puskas Award 2015.

Champions league always brings the best out of Messi. This season was no different. In round of 16 Barca faced Manchester City as opponent. The world watched Milner and Kompany being nutmegged by Messi.He didn’t scored in the fixture but was at his absolute best. 

The semifinal of 2014/15 champions league was one of the most talked about fixture of the year. It was Pep Guardiola’s  Bayern vs the beast he created.

Messi scored two goals and provided an assist. The second goal was brilliant that it broke the internet.

He left Jerome Boateng on the pitch and scored a beautiful chip over Neuer. It was year’s most tweeted sporting event. In final he didn’t scored but did everything on right note. FC Barcelona was crowned champions with 3-1 score against Juventus. He was joint top scorer and top assist provider of competition.

Lionel received UEFA best player in Europe award.    

At the start of season he scored two goals from free kick against Sevilla in UEFA Super Cup. Barcelona managed to clinch the cup with 5-4 score line.

Messi scored the only goal for Barcelona in 5-1 aggregate loss in Supercopa De Espana against Athletic Bilbao.

Messi sustained an injury in match against Las Palmas on 26^th September for almost two months.

He made his comeback in El Classico on 21^st November.

Messi ended the year with scoring the opening goals against River Plate in Club World Cup.

Lionel Messi became a true leader for Argentina by acting as a playmaker for the team.

Argentina reached final of Copa America under Messi’s leadership though he scored only one goal. He provided 3 assists in a single game in 6-1 win over Paraguay. He rejected Most Valuable Player award of the tournament.

He ended the year with 52  goals and 26 assist despite missing action due to injury for almost two months. The trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez managed to pile up 180 goals in single year(Another All Time Record). He also broke too many records to mention.

The year 2015 definitely belonged to  Lionel Messi and he is top contender for this year Ballon D’Or. He is 99.9% going to win this award for 5^th time in his career on next monday,11th Jan. :)

Note 1:-(I am very new to blog writing. So if you find any mistake kindly point out and suggest ways to improve.) 

Note 2:- I am not owner of any of the above images.