Lionel Messi has been involved in nearly 80% of Barcelona’s goals under Quique Setien

Despite tensions between Barcelona players and coaching staff, Lionel Messi has, unsurprisingly, been most important player for Quique Setien since Spaniard took charge of club in January this year. Out of 29 LaLiga goals scored (t counting own goals) in Quique Setien era, Lionel Messi has eir scored or assisted on 23 occasions. This equates to just over 79 percent of Messi's involvement in Barcelona's goals. Lionel Messi has scored 22 goals and registered 20 assists in LaLiga this season.

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Lionel Messi goals and assists under Quique Setien

Quique Setien replaced Ernesto Valverde on January 13, 2020, and  61-year-old signed a deal that will keep him at Camp u until summer of 2022. In 17 LaLiga games under manment of Quique Setien, re have been a total of 10 Lionel Messi goals. Argentine icon has also racked up a whopping 13 assists in Spanish top flight since Setien's arrival. Barcelona stars Sergi Roberto, Arthur, Arturo Vidal, Luis Suárez, and Ansu Fati (twice) are only players besides Lionel Messi to have scored during this time without being assisted by six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

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Barcelona's first game under Setien was against Grana and it ended 1-0, with Lionel Messi scoring from an assist by Arturo Vidal. Barcelona n lost 2-0 to Valencia before bouncing back with a 2-1 win against Levante a week later. Lionel Messi provided two assists for Ansu Fati in that game. Messi n got three assists in Barcelona's 3-2 win over Setien's former side, Real Betis. 

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Lionel Messi scored opening goal against Getafe in a 2-1 win and n scored opening four goals against Eibar in a 5-0 thrashing. Barcelona lost El Clasico 2-0 in March and n won 1-0 against Real Socied via a Messi penalty. Following coronavirus break, Lionel Messi assisted Martin Braithwaite and Jordi Alba, before getting a goal for himself in a 4-0 win.

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Lionel Messi got ar goal in 2-0 win against Leganes and after 0-0 draw against Sevilla, 33-year-old assisted Ivan Rakitic’s winner against Athletic Bilbao. Messi assisted both of Luis Suarez’s goals against Celta Vigo in a 2-2 draw and scored a penalty against Atletico Mrid in ar 2-2 draw a few days later. In his rampant march, Messi picked up two assists against Villarreal in a 4-1 win and set up Arturo Vidal for only goal of game against Vallolid on Friday night. 

Lionel Messi transfer news

Despite Lionel Messi goals and assists contribution for Barcelona, re are rumours that club captain could leave in near future. Messi has reportedly stalled on contract negotiations with his current deal expiring in 2021. However, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu remains confident that Messi will sign an extension. Barcelona are currently four points behind LaLiga leers Real Mrid with two matchdays remaining, with title race coming to a close.

Im Credits - Leo Messi Instagram / AP