Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League
Despite enjoying a successful 2015 so far, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner has not been so sharp in some areas.

Earlier today, Manchester City welcomed Barcelona in a re-match from last season's Champions League.

The visitors had raced into an early 2-0 lead before half-time courtesy of a double from new striker Luis Suarez, but Sergio Aguero was able to halve the deficit within the second half. The reigning Premier League champions were dealt a heavy blow as Gael Clichy was sent off, meaning this is the third straight game Manuel Pellegrini's side have had to play the Blaugrana with 10 men.

In the dying moments of the game, Manchester City fans' hearts were in their throats as Barcelona was granted a late penalty, and up stepped Lionel Messi with the opportunity to pretty much seal the Catalan giants' progression to the round of eight.

However, he was unable to convert, with Joe Hart coming up big to deny the four-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was unable to direct the rebound on target with his head.

Hart gives the hosts a lifeline by shutting out Lionel Messi in the last moments of the game

Many observers were shocked to see La Pulga, widely regarded alongside Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world, fail to fire home from the spot.

Here are some surprising stats regarding his record from 12 yards out:

  • Messi has missed 50%, or five out of his last 10 penalties taken for both Barcelona and Argentina
  • Out of 59 penalties taken for Barcelona, he has missed 13. By contrast, his rival CR7 has missed 5
  • Tonight's miss is the fourth out of the last seven spot-kicks he has taken for the Blaugrana
  • His 3 misses in the UCL are tied with CR7 and Luis Figo. Surely, his fans will hope it will not increase, as Thierry Henry's 5 are the most and then there is Ruud Van Nistelrooy with 4 failed attempts.

Nonetheless, he has scored 37 goals and provided 18 assists in 35 appearances across all competitions, putting him just one behind CR7 and five ahead in the assists category.

However, we will have to wait and see if Manchester City can a huge upset at Camp Nou on March 18th to progress to really judge if and just how costly his miss will be.