How Lionel Messi’s brilliant stats in 2021 compare to his last 10 years

It’s fair to say that 2021 was one of the most important years in Lionel Messi’s life, let alone his career.

For the first time, he moved clubs, leaving Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in a move that wasn’t exactly what he wanted.

Last year he had tried and failed to make a move away from the Catalan city, but he had changed his mind and was prepared to stay with the club.

But then the financial situation at Barcelona got worse and wage caps meant the club could not re-sign him, leaving arguably the best player in the world without a club.

PSG swooped in and Messi signed for the Parisians and after a slow start is beginning to play regularly once again.

The year also saw the Argentine finally have success with his national team, lifting the Copa America as Argentina’s captain. He also claimed a record seventh Ballon d’Or.

But how does his stats in 2021 compare to other years in his career? We’ve gone through the stats to find out.

2021

Games: 61
Goals: 43
Assists: 18
Penalties scored: 6

Minutes per goal: 123.1
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 143.1
Minutes per goal or assist: 92.9

Titles Won: 2 (Copa America, Copa del Rey)
Ballon d’Or finish: 1st

Lionel Messi's stunning goal for PSG against Man City has been voted as the #UCL Goal of the Group Stage for 2021/22 🙌pic.twitter.com/5scpcQNCS8

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 17, 2021

2020

Games: 48
Goals: 27
Assists: 19
Penalties scored: 9

Minutes per goal: 158.3
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 237.5
Minutes per goal or assist: 92.9

Titles Won: 0
Ballon d’Or finish: N/A

2019

Games: 58
Goals: 50
Assists: 18
Penalties scored: 8

Minutes per goal: 93.6
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 111.4
Minutes per goal or assist: 68.8

Titles Won: 2 (La Liga, Supercopa)
Ballon d’Or finish: 1st

Lionel Messi
Barcelona 🆚 Liverpool
2018/19

Postage stamp 📮 pic.twitter.com/T4MBvpsziz

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 28, 2021

2018

Games: 54
Goals:51
Assists: 26
Penalties scored: 2

Minutes per goal: 86.4
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 89.8
Minutes per goal or assist: 57.2 Min 2 Mins

Titles Won: 2 (La Liga, Copa del Rey)
Ballon d’Or finish: 4th

2017

Games: 64
Goals: 54
Assists: 16
Penalties scored: 10

Minutes per goal: 103
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 126.4
Minutes per goal or assist: 79.5 Min 2 Mins

Titles Won: 2 (Supercopa, Copa del Rey)
Ballon d’Or finish: 2nd

READ: A tribute to Messi’s 2017 El Clasico winner – the goal of a true hard man

2016

Games: 62
Goals: 59
Assists: 31
Penalties scored: 7

Minutes per goal: 59.1
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 102.2
Minutes per goal or assist: 79.5 Min 2 Mins

Titles Won: 4 (La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup)
Ballon d’Or finish: 2nd

2015

Games: 61
Goals: 52
Assists: 26
Penalties scored: 8

Minutes per goal: 100.8
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 119.1
Minutes per goal or assist: 67.2 Min 2 Mins

Titles Won: 3 (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League)
Ballon d’Or finish: 1st

🧙‍♂️ Messi madness #OTD in 2015 🍿🍿🍿#UCL pic.twitter.com/C0bnJ5BTj4

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 6, 2021

2014

Games: 66
Goals: 58
Assists: 22
Penalties scored: 7

Minutes per goal: 98.1
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 111.6
Minutes per goal or assist: 71.2

Titles Won: 1 (Supercopa)
Ballon d’Or finish: 2nd

2013

Games: 47
Goals: 45
Assists: 16
Penalties scored: 9

Minutes per goal: 77.9
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 97.4
Minutes per goal or assist: 57.5

Titles Won: 1 (La Liga)
Ballon d’Or finish: 2nd

2012

Games: 69
Goals: 91
Assists: 22
Penalties scored: 14

Minutes per goal: 65.6
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 77.5
Minutes per goal or assist: 52.8

Titles Won: 4 (Copa del Rey, Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup)
Ballon d’Or finish: 1st

READ: The players with the most goals in a calendar year: Messi, Ronaldo…

2011

Games: 70
Goals: 59
Assists: 36
Penalties scored: 8

Minutes per goal: 104.8
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 121.2
Minutes per goal or assist: 65.1
Titles Won: 3 (Champions League, La Liga, Super Cup)
Ballon d’Or finish: 1st

More Messi

A forensic analysis of Lionel Messi’s amazing 2010 performance v Arsenal

The 10 kids Lionel Messi tipped for stardom in 2015 & how they fared

Where are they now? The Barcelona B XI from Messi’s last game in 2005

Can you name Argentina’s Xl from Lionel Messi’s debut in 2005?