Barcelona have had a decent transfer window so far with some important acquisitions and the departure of players who probably wanted more game time. There is still a chance that they may sign a player before the transfer window ends.
With the departure of world-class playmaker Iniesta, Messi has been appointed the club captain for this season. It will not be a burden on his shoulders and hence, he will be looking to start with all guns blazing. It is widely expected that he will inspire the Blaugrana to mount a serious challenge in order win the Champions League this season.
With Cristiano Ronaldo joining Juventus in this transfer window, the field is quite open without a worthy competitor in La Liga for Lionel Messi to score a mammoth amount of goals for Barcelona. With the only chance of Barcelona facing Juventus in the Champions League, the spotlight will now be on Lionel Messi.
Barcelona as a team have become a formidable with the arrival of Arturo Vidal and Malcom. Hence, with Lionel Messi as its spearhead, Barcelona will look to win the Champions League and again establish their dominance in Europe.
Let us have a look at the 3 reasons as to why Lionel Messi will be unstoppable this season.
#3 Absence of Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, after 9 long years has left Real Madrid and joined Juventus for a fee of €100m in this transfer window. Hence, with his departure, the fiercest rivalry of the decade between him and Lionel Messi in LaLiga, which added weight to the already heated El Clasico, has abruptly ended.
Despite having two different styles of play, each one has won 5 Ballon d’Or awards, scored 50 goals in almost every season and scored more than 600 goals for their respective teams in total. Ronaldo leads the list of the all-time goalscorers in the Champions League with 120 goals, ahead of Messi, who has scored 100 goals. On the other hand, Messi is the leading all-time goalscorer in El Clasico with 26 goals, and Ronaldo is 3rd with 18 goals.
Hence, with the departure of Ronaldo, it is highly unlikely that any other player will take his place as a competitor to Lionel Messi in the coming years in LaLiga.
#2 New signings will ease the pressure on Lionel Messi
The departure of club legend Andreas Iniesta, after having been at the club for 17 long years and won 33 trophies, has left a huge void at the Nou Camp. Being the senior-most player, it will certainly fall on the shoulders of Lionel Messi to guide the club this season.
With the arrival of Arturo Vidal, Malcom and Lenglet the team as a whole has become stronger and hence Barcelona have now players like Malcom and Vidal who can provide support to Messi in attack with their speed, aggression and ability to provide assists and score goals.
#1 Leading from the front
Messi has been made Barcelona’s captain in this season, and will look to be the main source of inspiration on the pitch.
With the armband, Lionel Messi will look to lead his side from the front and will possess the extra hunger to win more trophies for Barcelona. The young players will also seek his guidance and will treat him as a role model.