European Team of the Season: FWR - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

It wouldn’t quite be a European team of the season without Lionel Messi, who scored more goals (37) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this term. 

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the mercurial Argentine, who continues to astound and amaze for Barcelona. The Blaugrana were unable to successfully defend their La Liga crown this time around, but it wasn’t for want of trying from Messi in particular, who arguably enjoyed one of his finest campaigns for a number of years.

His WhoScored.com rating (8.47) was the second best on the continent this season, while the 29-year-old won more man of the match awards (16) than any other player. To put that into context, Messi was named man of the match in 47.1% of his league appearances this term. 

It wasn’t just his goals that helped attain such a notable rating either, with no player creating more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities than Messi (24) in Europe’s top five leagues this campaign. With nine assists to his name, the Barcelona star was more than just the goalscoring force we’ve come to know for what was Luis Enrique’s side this term.

He ranked sixth for dribbles (126) and 18th for key passes (79) as Messi once again thrived for the Spanish giants. It was a something of a travesty, then, that he has just two winners’ medals to show for his exploits in a Barcelona shirt, those coming in the Supercopa de España and the Copa Del Rey. 

Nevertheless, Messi did more than enough to secure a place in WhoScored.com’s European team of the season. There is no denying that he is one the greatest players to grace the game and another stunning campaign highlights why. With a new man at the Camp Nou helm in Ernesto Valverde, there is a fresh chance to write a new chapter in the Barcelona history books with Messi set to play a key role from the right flank once again.

While his exploits weren’t enough to secure the title and continental glory, the Barcelona sensation continues to consistently perform at a level few have ever been able to match.