Noticias

Before this morning's training session, the Barcelona squad held a minute's silence in memory of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Leo Messi published a message on his social media accounts in response to this sad news: “I have no words... All of my thoughts are with Kobe's family and friends. It was a pleasure to meet him and share good times together. A real genius has left us”. 

This matchday sees Leo Messi's Barcelona head to Mestalla to face Valencia, one of his favourite victims and opponents against whom he has found the net 28 times, with 22 of these strikes coming in La Liga meetings. The Azulgranas travel to Mestalla looking to hold on to top spot at a stadium where they are unbeaten since the 2006/07 campaign.

The Copa del Rey is a competition in which Leo Messi has enjoyed great success. The FC Barcelona captain has lifted the trophy six times (2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18), made 73 appearances, which have yielded 51 goals and 29 assists. UD Ibiza are Barça's first opponents in this year's edition.

Leo Messi's winner secured maximum points for Barcelona in their meeting with Granada, which was the side's first outing of the second half of the La Liga campaign. This triumph sees the Azulgranas remain top for another matchday, whilst the Argentine forward continues to lead the division's scoring charts, with 14 goals to his name.

Leo Messi's FC Barcelona open the second half of the La Liga season against Granada. After being crowned as the division's winter champions, the Azulgranas go in search of another three points to tigthen their grip at the summit as they battle to secure a third consecutive league title.

Messi currently tops the La Liga goalscoring charts with 13 goals to his name, whilst he has provided six assists so far in the current league campaign. What's more, Messi is now two victories away from recording his 500th win in all competitions since making his first-team debut in the 2004/05 season.

Leo Messi has secured a spot in the UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2019. The FC Barcelona captain, who is joined in the line-up by Azulgranas' teammate Frenkie de Jong, has been included on the basis of the votes cast by UEFA.com users.