Valverde: I've never known anyone with such an "amazing competitive spirit" as this Barcelona player

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Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has lauded the “competitive spirit” of Lionel Messi describing it as his greatest asset.

The 31-year-old Argentine forward was named captain of the five-time European champions before following Andrés Iniesta’s departure last summer and, in the opinion of Valverde, he’s risen to the occasion.

How good has Messi been this season? Four key things to know…

  1. Messi is enjoying his 15th season with Barcelona’s first team since graduating from the club’s esteemed youth set-up.
  2. He is the club’s record goalscorer having amassed over 570 goals in all competitions.
  3. So far this season he’s bagged 15 goals across 15 league games making him currently the most prolific goal scorer across Europe’s top five leagues.
  4. Messi also currently leads the way in terms of assists having created no fewer than 10 goals.

Messi’s exploits in terms of goalscoring and creating for his teammates has been rightfully lauded this season – he currently leads both standings across Europe’s top five leagues.

However, when discussing the player, Valverde feels his greatest strength is neither scoring or assisting but Messi’s competitiveness and carrying those around him.

“What I’d most highlight about Leo Messi is his huge sense of responsibility for the team,” he told Barça TV .

“It shows in every game in every competition. What he does is not only difficult, but he does it again and again. That takes enormous mental strength.

“I have never known anyone with such an amazing competitive spirit.”

A living legend

Since graduating from Barça’s esteemed academy the Rosario-born footballer has gone from prodigious talent to being widely considered as the greatest player of all time.

So far, across 657 matches in all competitions, he’s registered 573 goals and created a further 229 for his teammates. These figures make him the club’s most prolific goal scorer and the third most capped player behind former teammates Xavi (767) and Iniesta (674).

Messi, a winner of five Ballon d’Or’s (including four on the bounce), has in turn helped Barcelona win no fewer than nine league titles and four European Cups.

Such is his connection with the club there seems to be no chance of representing another European powerhouse though Messi has left the door open to play for boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.

The post There’s no “competitor” like Barcelona star Lionel Messi, says Ernesto Valverde appeared first on Squawka News.



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