Interestingly, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes comes in second place on the through balls leaderboard, having registered 35 over the past two seasons.Rounding out the top three is Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard, who managed an impressive 32 through balls during the same period.
It’s a testament to the quality and vision of these creative midfield maestros that they’ve been able to rack up such impressive numbers, even as the game continues to evolve at the highest level.Fernandes and Odegaard have both established themselves as central figures for their respective clubs, constantly looking to unlock opposing defenses with their incisive passing.
To be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Lionel Messi when it comes to this particular statistical category is no small feat. It speaks volumes about the caliber of these players and their ability to consistently deliver pinpoint passes that carve open the toughest backlines.
Despite spending just one season playing in Europe over the past two years, Lionel Messi has still managed to emerge as the continent’s leading provider of through balls.The Argentine maestro, who now plies his trade with MLS club Inter Miami, racked up an impressive 37 through balls during his final campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, according to the data analysts at WhoScored.
This statistic serves as a testament to Messi’s enduring class and vision as one of the game’s preeminent playmakers. Even as he enters the latter stages of his storied career, the 37-year-old superstar has continued to showcase the creativity and ball-playing ability that have made him one of the most revered players of his generation.Messi’s ability to slice open defenses with incisive passes has long been a hallmark of his game. And although he made the move to the United States in 2023, he has clearly maintained those world-class playmaking skills during his time in MLS.The fact that he has topped the through balls chart in Europe over the past two seasons, despite only featuring for one of those campaigns, is all the more impressive. It underscores Messi’s continued influence and impact at the very highest level of the sport.
Interestingly, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes comes in second place on the through balls leaderboard, having registered 35 over the past two seasons. Rounding out the top three is Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard, who managed an impressive 32 through balls during the same period.It’s a testament to the quality and vision of these creative midfield maestros that they’ve been able to rack up such impressive numbers, even as the game continues to evolve at the highest level. Fernandes and Odegaard have both established themselves as central figures for their respective clubs, constantly looking to unlock opposing defenses with their incisive passing.
To be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Lionel Messi when it comes to this particular statistical category is no small feat. It speaks volumes about the caliber of these players and their ability to consistently deliver pinpoint passes that carve open the toughest backlines.As the world of elite football continues to progress, it will be fascinating to see if Fernandes, Odegaard and others can maintain these lofty standards and keep pace with the evergreen Messi in the coming seasons.After two years with Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi made the move across the Atlantic Ocean last summer, joining Inter Miami as a free agent. The Argentina superstar had spent the past two seasons in the French capital, scoring 32 goals and providing 35 assists for the Ligue 1 giants.
Despite his advancing years, Messi has continued to demonstrate his world-class ability, establishing himself as one of the key creators in Europe’s top leagues. His decision to venture to the United States and join David Beckham’s MLS project at Inter Miami was seen by many as a logical next step in the twilight of his illustrious career.Messi will no doubt be looking to bring his unique blend of skill, vision and goal-scoring prowess to the American game, as he seeks to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the sport. At 37 years old, the Argentine maestro may not be able to maintain the same relentless physical output as in his prime. But there’s no doubt that his technical excellence and tactical nous will make him a continued force to be reckoned with, no matter which jersey he dons.