Spotlight on Leo Messi's big performance in Nantes
Leo Messi was once again one of the key players in the Parisians' victory in Nantes, providing two assists. Here's a look back at his outstanding performance.
Leo Messi 's performance on Saturday night was a continuation of his scintillating summer. The Argentinian, who scored in the Trophée des Champions, has continued to show his genius on Ligue 1 pitches since the start of the season. With 3 goals and 6 assists to his name, the Red and Blue number 30 is off to one of the best starts of his career.
A start to the season not seen for five years
The Parisian forward was once again decisive in the Red and Blue's trip to Loire-Atlantique. Involved in 9 goals in his first 6 Ligue 1 games, Leo Messi has made his best start to a season since the 2017/18 campaign. He has only had four better starts in a single league season: in 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2017/18 with 13, 11, 11 and 10 goal involvements in 6 games respectively. A good omen for the rest of the season.
Messi, the omnipresent
Against Nantes, the Argentine was once again omnipresent on the pitch. And it is at the heart of the game that he shines the brightest. He was the favourite receiver of the ball from Marco Verratti (24), Renato Sanches (16), Achraf Hakimi (12) and even Neymar (10), despite only coming on at the end of the match. Figures that leave no doubt as to his status as a key cog in the Red and Blue machine.
The Parisian No.30 was everywhere, and with 119 touches, he was the most active player on the pitch last night.
Messi was teeing up his teammates brilliantly, with 4 passes leading to a shot and 2 assists for Kylian Mbappé, which allow him to join Neymar at the top of the league's assists charts. The Argentine striker also tried his luck with 6 shots and won 9 of his duels.
A true creator, Leo Messi has 20 assists to his name after 32 Ligue 1 games. Only Angel Di Maria has passed this milestone more quickly in the top flight (31 games) since Opta began analysing data in 2006/07.
And if any proof was needed of the connection he has with his teammates, he certainly has a good one with Mbappe, with 11 of his assists being for the Frenchman.
The rest of the season promises to be special for the Parisian forward.