LIONEL MESSI’S claim to being football’s greatest has escalated dramatically in the past two years, according to the stats.
When taking into account the cold hard numbers of goals and assists since August 2017, the Argentine has no equal.
The top ten leaderboard for most goals and assists in Europe’s top five leagues features Messi leading the way in both categories.
Boasting a whopping 88 goals, the Barcelona icon comfortably clears his closest competitor with Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski back on 76.
In the assist stakes, Messi is once again streets ahead of anyone else inside the combined top ten – securing 37 to beat Neymar’s 26 and the 25 of teammate Luis Suarez.
Putting the figures together leaves the Argentine on 125 goals and assists in the last two-and-a-half years.
Way back in second place is Lazio star Ciro Immobile.
Joining the Italian striker on a combined 92 goals and assists is Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, but the Egyptian has played three games more.
In fact, Salah’s 97 matches in this period is the most of any of the top ten – with only Immobile (94), Messi (90) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (90) coming close.
The table makes grim reading for Cristiano Ronaldo, on the basis he still strives to be the world’s best in almost every department.
Messi smashed four goals to send Barcelona top of LaLiga on the weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty
An impressive tally of 68 goals in 79 games helps the Juventus veteran to fifth overall but his paltry return of 15 assists is the lowest in the top ten.
Occupying the final spot is Neymar, yet his combined 73 goals and assists comes amid numerous injury problems.
The Brazilian has only played 52 games in this spell, making for an impact rate of 1.4 goals or assists per game.
That average is actually the highest of the entire top ten – even beating Messi and his 1.38 goals or assists per game.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
