Lionel Messi scored 23 goals and figured in 16 successful plays in the season so far, and the feat for a player nearing 33 is just plain brilliant. But because the numbers talk about the great Messi, who is synonymous with superb and effortless football in the past 15 years, the performance rings due to alarm.
The question begs: Is the Argentine forward not in top form?
That seems to be the case if the recent games by Barcelona were of any indication. In the last seven matches played by the Spanish giants, Messi only netted once. And Yahoo Sports said, the Barca superstar skipped too many games in the season and in the matches he was around, something was off.
It was easy to see because the football world recognizes Messi as the best of his generation. And many would agree, he is one of the best of all time. However, the show started by the Little Magician could soon come to an end.
"The fact remains: We are no longer witnessing Peak Messi," the report declared.
Indeed, the Messi seen in the last El Clasico was not the usual Messi. The Argentine captain went scoreless and struggled to get a clear shot at the box. He lost the ball several times and fumbled when the opportunity to score presented itself.
"With an opportunity to equalize with 15 minutes to go, he found himself in a footrace with Marcelo... and he lost out," said the report.
Barcelona lost to a Real Madrid that was dealt successive defeats prior to the Spanish giants' showdown. And Messi was humbled by the fact that it has been five El Clasico matches, and the clearing the net eluded him.
The signs to practically scream: Messi is on the decline, and it is understandable. His show has been running for a decade, and a half and his age is at a point that is considered in sports beyond the most productive years.
It could be that it's only a matter of time, and Messi will be closing down a football chapter that can be best described as one of the most exciting in history. Personally, retirement is not something to be dreaded. He has amassed fame, fortune, and glory.
Messi led Barcelona to multiple honors, including the prestigious Champions League, which Barca had pocketed four times with Messi on the club. And he won the most Ballon d'Or honors - six times and eclipsing that of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has five to his name.
And perhaps, most importantly, Messi will one day march off the pitch for good knowing that his peers regard him as the better when pitted against Ronaldo.
The Irish Times said Marco Van Basten provided the best argument in the raging Messi vs Ronaldo debate. The Ajax and A.C. Milan legend said: "Cristiano is a great player, but those who say he is better than Messi know nothing about football. Messi is one of a kind. Impossible to imitate and impossible to repeat. A player like him comes along every 50 or 100 years."
