The stats which reveal Messi is lost without Luis Suarez
How much does Leo Messi miss Luis Suarez? A ProFootballDB study tells us exactly how much. The Argentine scores less goals, loses more matches but has got more assists.
Leo Messi is not in his best form. Against Real Madrid, he had a bad night and concern set in. Both because of the importance of the game and because it confirms a dangerous pattern. ProFootballDB has analysed the data and there is a key issue: the absence of Luis Suarez.
The Uruguayan has always been a inseparable friend of Messi's. It became even more obvious after Neymar's departure. Everyone knows that Messi misses him since Suarez had to go to theatre, but no one knew how much. BeSoccer's database can quantify it.
The consequences are obvious and painful. This season, both were together on the field of play in 19 matches and that led to 12 victories (63.16%), four draws (21.05%) and three defeats (15.79%), In addition, Barca were scoring 2.32 goals per game.
On a personal note, Leo Messi scored 16 goals (an average of 0.84 per match) and gave nine assists (0.47 per game) when the Uruguayan was there. That meant he had a direct participation in 56.82% of the goals.
The stats are notably worse since Suarez's injury in December: six wins (54.55%), two draws (18.18%) and three losses (27.27%). The team's goalscoring average has also dipped to 1.73 goals per match.
Messi's stats have changed. Better in one case, worse in another. Messi has scored seven goals and seven assists, an average of 0.64 goals and 0.64 assists per match. In other words, he has scored less, but assisted more. As a result, his direct participation in Barca's goals has increased to 73.68%. That is logical given that more of the responsibility now falls on his shoulders.
Luis Suarez did not rule out coming back before the end of the season, one of the best pieces of news for Leo Messi. It is clear that Messi cannot do everything himself.