Lionel Messi started his second season at Paris Saint-Germain in outstanding form after a season that fell short of his typically lofty standards in many ways. The Argentine legend kept setting records to start the current term with four goals and seven assists in nine competitive club outings. But given that big-spending PSG is aiming to end their protracted European trophy drought, his success this season could be measured in terms of a UEFA Champions League trophy rather than individual awards. For all of Messi’s 2022–23 statistics in Ligue 1, the Champions League, and other competitions, see this page.
Lionel Messi’s goals 2022/23
As previously reported, Messi is off to a fast start this season, scoring eight goals after 14 games across all competitions. Although it might not seem like much for a player with his level of talent, the Argentine maestro scored just six goals in 26 Ligue 1 games last season. In 2022–2023, he already has three. Messi struggled to convert his opportunities last season compared to normal, scoring just 11 goals from 16.68 Expected Goals in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
READ MORE: All FIFA World Cup venues in Qatar 2022
Total goals in 2022/23 across all competitions: 8
| Stats per 90 mins | 2021/2022 | 2022/23 |
| Goals | 0.36 | 0.56 |
| xG | 0.54 | 0.59 |
| Shots | 3.72 | 4.77 |
| Shots on target | 1.26 | 2.54 |
| Shot conversion rate | 9.57% | 11.67% |
Lionel Messi assists 2022/23
As we all know, Messi is much more than just a goal-scorer. He is in fact very inventive in how he sets people up to find the internet. Messi has eight assists in 14 games for PSG so far this season, averaging 0.57 per 90 minutes. At that rate, he should likely surpass the 16 assists he registered with the French champions last season and may even come very close to shattering his record of 33 assists established with Barcelona back in the 2011–12 season.
READ MORE: Top 5 contenders to win Golden Boot in 2022
Read More: Croatia 2022 entire World Cup squad
Total assists in 2022/23 across all competitions: 8
Lionel Messi passing stats 2022/23 (accuracy, passes into the area, chances created, etc.)
Due to the number of opportunities he generates every game, Messi’s assist average is so high this season. 2.86 chances produced per game is a significant rise from 2.46 last season, and he is also playing a lot more passes into the penalty area of the opponent.
| Stats per 90 mins | 2021/22 | 2022/23 |
| Expected assists (Overall value) | 11.07 | 6.68 |
| Chances created | 2.46 | 2.86 |
| Successful passes | 57.26 | 52.71 |
| Successful passes ending in final 3rd | 25.85 | 23.69 |
| Passes played into the box | 6.5 | 9.46 |
| Passing accuracy | 86.9% | 85.99% |
Lionel Messi dribbling stats 2022/23
Messi is still proving to be an enormous threat to opposing defenses despite his advanced years. Messi is perhaps the most visually appealing player in all of football when he has the ball at his feet. Messi’s play has really improved so far this season under new coach Christophe Galtier since he is proving to be much more noticeable in the opponent’s box, which can only be problematic for the opposing club.
| Stats per 90 mins | 2021/22 | 2022/23 |
| Dribbles completed | 2.81 | 3.82 |
| Dribbles success rate | 61.7% | 64.86% |
| Total carries | 25.56 | 27.67 |
| Progressive carries | 12.75 | 12.96 |
| Touches in the opposition box | 4.63 | 6.36 |
Lionel Messi’s defensive stats 2022/23
Messi’s defense is undoubtedly his weakest area overall, and at 35 years old, he isn’t exactly renowned for his defensive effort. Despite this, his statistics for this season are still rather good compared to what he produced for PSG the previous year, particularly in terms of tackles and duels won.
| Stats per 90 mins | 2021/22 | 2022/23 |
| Tackles won | 0.1 | 0.72 |
| Interceptions | 0.13 | 0.16 |
| Possession won | 2.52 | 2.62 |
| Duels won | 4.88 | 6.6 |
In which year did Lionel Messi make his international debut for Argentina?
Messi International debut: Who were the players and where are they now? (Part 1) Lionel Messi, Argentina’s blue-eyed youngster, made his international debut on August 17, 2005, in a friendly match against Hungary at Budapest’s Puskas Stadium. Messi entered the game as a late substitute in the second half.
Lionel Messi scored how many goals for his national side?
Messi has scored 90 international goals since making his debut for Argentina in 2005.
Had Messi won the Golden Boot in any FIFA World Cup?
Despite having dominated world football over the past decade, both Ronaldo and Messi have failed to win the Golden Boot at the World Cup and will be hoping to sign off by winning the elusive prize this season. Here we take a look at the Golden Boot winners from the last five editions of the FIFA World Cup.