SUMMARY
- Lionel Messi had an outstanding 2023, featuring in 44 matches for PSG, Inter Miami, and Argentina.
- Messi achieved this goal tally without taking a single penalty throughout the entire year.
Lionel Messi, the name that evokes awe, magic, and goals galore, has had a 2023 unlike any other. While he continues to dominate headlines and score impressive goals, one particular statistic stands out, his record without having any spot kicks.
Throughout the year 2023, Messi had a year unlike any other year. This whole past year, Lionel Messi has featured in 44 matches across all competitions for PSG, Inter Miami, and Argentina’s national team. Throughout these fixtures, he went on to score 35 goals and provided his teammates with 13 assists as well.
Lionel Messi ended 2023 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 even taking a penalty for the first time since 2006… 😳🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/x6OJ5eOEQE
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) December 27, 2023
But even after holding such statistics and scoring 35 goals, it was astonishing to many that he had taken zero spot kicks throughout the year. Messi has been a player known to score many goals throughout his career. But eventually, every season he has had a few penalties converted by him.
Going through a whole year without a penalty goal shows how lucratively good Lionel Messi is. While many players struggle to reach the 35-goal mark while on penalties, Lionel Messi managed to do it without even getting them.
Jerome Rothen criticizes Lionel Messi’s 2023
Lionel Messi was over the moon coming into the new year having just won the FIFA World Cup. Being a part of 3 teams’ success Messi kept his standards high even at 35. Across the year Messi won his 8th Ballon d’Or, French Ligue 1, and Leagues Cup with Inter Miami.
Going off with such awards, Lionel Messi, as per usual, did have his critics as well. As he was entering the Ballon d’Or ceremony, many believed he shouldn’t have won it. With Manchester City’s Erling Haaland having won every major honor and broken several records many had thought he was the deserving winner.
Jerome Rothen, former France and PSG player, came out and talked about Messi’s performances for the Ballon d’Or he stated, “It’s a disgrace! Of course, it’s a disgrace,” He further added to claim Haaland should win it, “As far as I’m concerned, it should have gone to Haaland. From August 2022 to June 2023, what criteria lead us to say that Leo Messi is above the others?
Continuing the criticism, “There’s hardly any criterion where he’s number 1. If we look at his record, he’s inferior to Haaland, even though he won the World Cup. Haaland won everything with Manchester City. And of course, you can’t compare him with the World Cup, because Haaland is Norwegian.”
With such regular criticism, Lionel Messi never fears being diminished. His overall performance this year has been nothing short of exceptional, and his ability to adapt and evolve is a testament to his greatness. Whether he rediscovers form like the Barcelona days or not, Lionel Messi’s magic on the field will continue to enthrall fans for years to come.