The data that contradicts to those who say that Leo Messi does not help in defence

The defeat of the FC Barcelona in front of the Paris Saint-Germain, that included a recital of Kylian Mbappé, has left very signalled to the players blaugrana, between them Leo Messi, the one who in spite of adding 20 goals in what it goes of season, has showed in important parties or key for the Barça not being so determinant of face to the arch. It happened in front of the Real Madrid, Seville (in LaLiga and Glass of Rey), Athletic of Bilbao in the Supercopa of Spain and repeated in front of the PSG.

The Argentinian, however, marked the so much that opened the marker in the Camp Nou and shortly after gave a pass to Ousmane Dembélé that it could mean the 2-0 for the culés (and would have changed the history, definitely), but from the tie of 'Donatello', Leo Messi disappeared completely in the field and his contribution in the attack was minimum, especially because the Barça did not propose and devoted to avoid to that the result went even more been bulky.

'The Flea' carried so many criticisms like Sergiño Dest, Sergio Busquets or Clément Lenglet and again has put in doubt his importance for the FC Barcelona when the team more needs it, was in the competition that was. However, his contribution is more than key and the statistical the desvelan. A study elaborated by the web 'FBref' reflects that Lionel Messi is one of the most involved players in defensive work and of recovery of balloons in all Europe. The captain culé has an effectiveness of 33% when presiona to a rival, between League and Champions, numbers that only surpasses Robert Lewandowski, with 34,1%.

In this sense, Messi contabiliza a total of 209 pressures on a rival and 69 of them culminated successfully. In the ranking of 'FBref' follow him Mohamed Salah (31,2%) and Neymar Jr. (32,7%). The great Egyptian forward 365 pressures and 114 recoveries. In the case of the ex player of the FC Barcelona and current forward of the PSG, his effectiveness is very near to the one of Messi, but with figures very inferior, with 52 completed of 159 pressures.

Messi, by in front of 'CR7', Haaland and Mbappé

With the performances of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé in this day, has showed that the two leading youngsters are the generation of the future and, surely, achieve to be so important like Leo or Cristiano Ronaldo. For now, to both fall them the goals of the pockets but, by his youth, have a lot that learn. Haaland, by his part, has an effectiveness of 30,7% to the moment of presionar, with 63 of 205 actions completed.

To a more important distance, are Mbappé, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Cristiano Ronaldo, with an effectiveness of 29,9%, of 29,8% and of 26%, respectively. The forward of the PSG totaliza 135 pressures and has completed successfully 39. The Swedish, by his part, sum 25 pressures successfully of the 84 that has tried. Finally, 'CR7' accumulates 34 recoveries and 131 pressures.