Topics: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Copa del Rey, Copa del Rey 2014 Final, El Clasico, El Clasico 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi

Barcelona star man Lionel Messi is set to lead his teammates against Real Madrid in the Final of the Copa del Rey on 16th March at the Mestalla. While Real Madrid’s own star man Cristiano Ronaldo is absent through injury, stats indicate Messi’s own form has taken something of a dip this season with his numbers noticeably lower compared to those of the last three seasons.

One can only ask, Messi will be physically present on the field on the D-day, but will he get involved enough to tilt the trophy towards Catalonia?


This graphic is not the only thing indicative of the mercurial Argentinean’s waning influence on the pitch. A rather unexpected exit from the Champions League at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid who also lead Barcelona by 4 points on the La Liga table with just 5 games remaining also confirm his seemingly indifferent performance this term.

In his last 5 games, Messi has 3 goals which is a far cry from the performance in his penultimate 5 matches in which he scored 8 goals. All 3 of the goals in his last 5 are penalties and 2 of them were scored against Real Betis, the bottom placed team on the La Liga table.

Lionel Messi's last 5 games (Courtesy Whoscored.com)

His teammates, nonetheless, do not have the tiniest bit of doubt about the form, nor the ability of their talisman. Even in the midst of his current slump, they believe him to be their saviour, a never-drying river from which Barcelona's inspiration flows.

So, will Mr. Magic be present on the pitch on Wednesday or will he once again leave his teammates to fend for themselves?