One of the best versions of Messi—or perhaps the most complete.
During Ernesto Valverde's tenure at Barcelona, Messi found himself carrying an increasingly heavy burden. Following Neymar's departure and Barcelona's failure to adequately replace his production and creativity, the team gradually became more dependent on Messi to provide almost everything in attack. He was no longer merely the team's primary goalscorer; he was also its chief creator, progressor, playmaker, and often the player responsible for deciding the outcome of the biggest matches.
And somehow, Messi kept finding solutions.
Whether it was a goal from nothing, a perfectly weighted pass, a free kick, or a moment of individual brilliance, he repeatedly rescued Barcelona when the team needed him most. The 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons arguably showcased one of the most complete versions of Messi, as he combined his extraordinary goalscoring with increasingly refined playmaking and an even greater influence over the entire attacking structure.
Yet, for all of his brilliance, it still wasn't enough to bring the Champions League trophy back to Camp Nou. Barcelona suffered one of the most extraordinary collapses in Champions League history against Roma in 2018, before enduring another devastating comeback against Liverpool the following year. Messi had done almost everything he could, but even his brilliance had its limits.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this period was that Messi continued to evolve despite having seemingly reached the absolute limits of what a footballer could achieve. His passing became even more devastating, his vision even more refined, and his free-kick technique developed into a genuine weapon. He was no longer simply the world's most devastating attacker; he had become a player capable of controlling games through almost every dimension of attacking play.
Even after reaching what seemed like the stratosphere, Messi somehow found another level.
That, more than anything, is a testament to his greatness—not merely that he could remain the best player in the world, but that he could continually reinvent himself and become an even more complete footballer.
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