messithehumble:

I just read a post about how Leo doesn’t deserve the UEFA Best Player in Europe award because he, I quote: 

• “was helped by Neymar/Suarez”
• “didn’t carry Barcelona alone”
• “didn’t score in UCL final Neymar/Suarez saved his ass”
• “Messi was good but he was helped by his team mates”

I won’t bring the other UEFA Nominees into this because that’s not my prerogative. I don’t put much value on this award, it’s just a pretty shiny thing that’s nice to have. However, these comments struck a cord with me and I have a few things to say: 

• Football is a team sport. 
• Neymar and Suarez are Messi’s teammates. Are you telling me Neymar and Suarez don’t reap the rewards of Messi’s contributions as well? Are you telling me Messi doesn’t help his team? 
• This is not FC Messi. This is not FC Individual Glory. 
• But oh, you want to talk about Messi’s individual glory? Well, let’s have at it. 
• Look at real time: 
• pre-season FCB = dying against easy teams
• Messi plays = win the European Super Cup (2 amazing freekick goals and one indirect goal from Messi) against Sevilla, one of the toughest teams in Europe
• Are you telling me that a penalty goal is more impressive that Leo’s fast, precise individual runs that lead to mind-boggling goals? goals that are dissected and analyzed scientifically e.g., x
• Did you see Messi’s goals against Bayern that were essential to FCB winning the Champion’s League? 
• Did you see Messi play against Manchester City? against Atletico Madrid? Valencia? Juventus? He may not have scored in the UCL final, but he could have easily won MOTM. 
• Did you watch Messi at all this past season? He was intrinsic to our success with all trophies, and from where I stand, the most intrinsic.