European Team of the Season: ST – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Finishing the WhoScored.com European team of the season is Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi. 

The Argentine secured an exceptional WhoScored.com rating of 8.68 across the course of the campaign as the Bluagrana landed the title. Messi was central to their domestic success having scored more goals (34) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues, landing a fifth successive Golden Shoe as a result. 

With an additional 12 assists, he was one of 14 players to register double figures for goals and assists this season. It was a superb return for a player that made just 32 league starts this term, yet won the WhoScored.com man of the match award on 22 occasions. 

The 30-year-old also ranked top for shots (197), successful dribbles (185) and clear-cut chances created (30) in Europe’s top five leagues to round off what has been another stunning season for the Argentine. Having played a key role in Barcelona’s league and cup double – Messi was named the man of the match in the 5-0 Copa Del Rey final win over Sevilla – attention now turns to the World Cup. 

Messi is the focal point of the Argentina attack and after final heartbreak four years ago in Brazil, the experienced forward will hope to go one better and lift the trophy in Russia. He’s coming into the World Cup in top form, though, which bodes well for Argentina. 

It wouldn’t quite be a European team of the season without Messi in the attack and alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, the La Liga powerhouses make up the best rated XI across Europe’s top five leagues in the 2017/18 season.