The beast is Awakens

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ANALYTICS. The beast Messi awakens

The Argentine is on his best moment, just before Champions League

Leo Messi is on his best moment so far and this is not happening before Champions League by chance. Due to the injury which left him 2 months away from the field, the Argentine was forced to change physical planning and this allowed him be fitter at the end of the season. Bit by bit, Messi increased his pace and after a period in which Suárez and Neymar leaded the team, now Barça's 10 is who took the reins of the squad.

1. 14 goals in the last 11 matches

Messi is on fire. He managed to score two hat-tricks —Granada and Valencia,— he leaded the win vs Sporting and did a great match against Celta, with two assists. He surpassed the goal 300 in La Liga and next record he will beat is the one of Torpedo Müller, who scored 365 goals in a great European league (Bundesliga).

2. More participation in the game

In the match against Sporting, Messi tried 75 passes and was active during the 90 minutes. Let's compare with the first 90 minutes he played after the injury: it was on November, against Real Sociedad, and he only tried 35 passes. Barça's staff coached Messi with care until reaching the optimal level.

3. The team's second top scorer

Despite being 2 months out, Messi has scored 27 goals in 30 matches, beating Neymar's 22 in 34 matches. Above he only has Suárez, with 40 goals in 39 matches. In the last 7 seasons, he has been the top scorer of the team. Will he get it this season? Since 2009, these are the numbers of goals per season scored: 38, 47, 53, 73, 60, 43 and 58.

4. The most generous Messi

Aged 28, Leo Messi is showing he wants to make his influence zone increase. He is not only a goal-devouring footballer like when he used to play as false 9. Now he also associates with his mates and starts the plays in the midfield. This season he has assisted 13 goals in 30 matches, and the connection with Suárez and Neymar forces the opponents to control more things.

5. Dosage

Another aspect in which Messi is maturing: he is aware of which matches he has to play and when he needs rest. Over the last weeks, he missed the two Copa matches against Athletic and Valencia, plus the second half vs Athletic in La Liga. When he feels some discomfort, he asks for being subbed off. He knows his conditions every time better and when he plays, he calculates his effort. Luis Enrique and staff's management has also been key to get Messi's best performance in the important moments.