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Lionel Messi is arguably one of the greatest players to grace the beautiful game. His technique, poise, skill and understanding of the game benefitted Barcelona for the longest time and is now proving to be vital for Paris Saint-Germain. However, it has often been believed that he is just another attacker that scores a ton of goals. In doing so, his creative side is often overlooked.
Lionel Messi is arguably the most creative player of the 21st century
Messi came into the limelight of world football in late 2000s, following the appointment of Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. The Spanish manager made the best use of the Argentinian superstar and often utilized him as a false No 9.
This enabled the PSG maestro to provide for his team through goals and assists. As the years went by, Messi drifted into a deeper role and started playing behind the centre-forward.
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This turned him into an excellent playmaker, thereby influencing the entire attacking phase of his team. But there have been particular players along the way that have benefitted more than most from the 34-year-old’s keen eye for a pass.
Today, let us take a look at the top five players who have received the most assists from Lionel Messi:
#5 David Villa - 12
The former Spain international joined the Blaugrana after leading his nation to glory at the 2010 World Cup. David Villa massively impressed at Valencia and was primed to lead the line at Barcelona.
The striker was shifted out to the left-wing by Pep Guardiola to accommodate Messi into the centre-forward position. Many believed that this would hamper the progress of Villa, but they were proved wrong.
The attacking duo combined brilliantly as the Spaniard scored 48 goals in 119 appearances for the five-time European champions. However, a lot of his success in front of the goal came due to Messi, who had a hand in 25 per cent (12) of the goals scored by the centre-forward.
This made the pair one of the most threatening attacking partnerships during their three-year stint together. Their performances in the 2010-11 Champions League-winning season, in particular, were eye-catching.
Villa retired in 2019 and hailed Messi as the greatest in the game:
"Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, and Barcelona owe their success to his evolution.”
#4 Samuel Eto’o - 15
The Cameroonian is the only player on the list who was a bigger star than Lionel Messi when he arrived at the club. A true journeyman in the sport, Samuel Eto’o joined Barcelona in 2004 after producing good displays for RCD Mallorca.
The striker took some time to settle into the club, but it is no surprise that he found his feet in the second season – the same time when Messi was promoted into the first-team setup.
Over the next couple of years, Messi started playing on the right-wing, and his dazzling performances massively helped Eto’o be amongst the goals on a consistent basis.
Although the pair formed a solid understanding towards the end of the Eto'o's tenure at the club, Messi still managed to play a part in 15 of his goals.
A couple of months ago, Eto’o heaped praise on his former teammate during an interview with Spanish publication Marca.
“The passing of time changes us all; the difference is that it has improved Messi. I love him, I have not seen anyone like him. For this [reason], I always say that he is the best in history.”
#3 Pedro - 17
Like the great Lionel Messi, Pedro too was a member of the La Masia academy. He gained promotion to the first team a couple of years after Lionel Messi. But once bedded into the tactics of Pep Guardiola, the Spanish winger became a team player and a valuable member of the squad.
Although he was not a prolific goal-scorer, he often popped up with late runs into the box and created space for his teammates.
In doing so, the 34-year-old formed an impressive partnership with Messi, as they would often interchange positions with each other. This enabled Pedro to score goals from time to time, not to mention the impeccable service of his South American teammate.
The winger scored 99 goals for the Catalan outfit, and Lionel Messi nearly contributed to 20 per cent (17) of those strikes.
Pedro joined Chelsea in 2015 and faced his former teammate during the 2017-18 Champions League Round of 16 tie. Building up to the game, the winger lauded Lionel Messi by labeling him the best in the world:
"He’s (Messi) always the same. What can I say of him that I haven't before? He is the best in the world, he always makes the difference, and it will be very difficult to stop him."
#2 Neymar - 20
The man heralded as the heir to Lionel Messi, Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013. His Samba skills and love for the game tempted the La Liga club to sign him and partner him alongside their most marquee player in history.
As soon as the winger arrived at the club, he formed an instant connection with the Blaugrana playmaker, and the pair wreaked havoc in Europe. Their understanding in the final third of the pitch proved to be key to their Champions League triumph, not to mention the treble they achieved in 2009.
Neymar left the Spanish outfit in 2017 to make a name for himself at Paris Saint-Germain. His dream came true last summer as Messi arrived at the Parc des Princes. Together, they are expected to work together on the French club’s quest to win the all-elusive Champions League trophy.
But in the four and a half seasons the pair have played together, Messi has managed to contribute to 20 goals scored by the winger. This tally is definitely likely to increase in the coming years.
In 2015, the Brazilian international claimed that Messi is an idol for him on and off the pitch.
“I hope to grow next to Messi, the best in the world, and one day become the best. I’m getting better all the time, and I’m a guy who watches a lot and learns a lot from the best. Messi is the best in the world, an idol on and off the pitch. I hope I can learn from him and one day win the Ballon d’Or."
#1 Luis Suarez - 39
Finally, the man who has benefitted the most out of the all-round play of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. After spending four prolific years at Liverpool, Luis Suarez joined Barcelona in 2014. He formed one of the most threatening attacking partnerships in world football, alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.
The trio gelled well in their opening season and took Spain and Europe by storm.
However, there were doubts about the venom in the strike force after Neymar left in 2017. But Suarez and Messi joined hands to secure consecutive league titles. The efficiency of the Uruguayan superstar, coupled with the Argentinian’s ability to provide penetrating passes, proved to be a big success.
In total, the 34-year-old playmaker played a part in 39 goals scored by the former Liverpool striker during his time at the Nou Camp.
Suarez joined Atletico Madrid in 2020, but in 2018, he hailed Messi as the best in history.
"I am playing with the best players in the world, and I'll have the chance to tell my grandchildren that I played with the best in history (Messi)."
Lionel Messi has bagged 357 assists in his 21-year trophy-laden career. The man is a myth and the aforementioned quintet has been blessed to play alongside the Barcelona legend.
