Messi matches Xavi's record of 20 assists in a La Liga season
The Barcelona forward set up the opener for Vidal against Valladolid
Leo Messi was once again decisive against Real Valladolid on Saturday, setting up Arturo Vidal to open the scoring with what was his 20th assist in La Liga this season.
Messi's total of 20 matches the amount recorded by his former teammate Xavi Hernandez in 2008-09 when Barça won the treble under Pep Guardiola.
The difference is that Messi is a goal scorer who has become a creator, while Xaxi was always a creator. Messi's 20 assists this season come in addition to 22 goals so far.
Regular assister
However, despite not being primarily a creator, Messi has always created. His best figures in La Liga to date came in 2010-11 and 2014-15 when he created 18 goals for his teammates.
In those two seasons, he managed 18 assists in 33 and 38 games respectively, while in the current campaign he's hit 20 in 31 and has two matches left.
No one has more assists than him in La Liga and no one has more goals, either. What a luxury it is for Barça to have him in their team.
Topics with the letter
