Slide away.

[Dreambeliever]

Hmmm Barca may well be on the decline however Messi is far from it. What is it 40 + goals in an injury hit season with the World Cup still to come?

I wouldn't be writing him off anytime soon

 

[StevieM]

I don't think Messi is declining at all - there's nothing wrong with his goal scoring record this season - more than 1 a game in the league.

I think he's got his head in Brazil and there are definitely coaching issues at Barca.

 

[Hansern]

Haha, yeah checked his stats now. 42 games and 39 goals. The WC is probably the right answer.

 

[Rafiagra]

He's just had injuries this season. It's naturally going to stutter his form.

Combine that with the team around him in decline and a focus on World Cup, and this year was never going to hit the heights of previous.

We won't see the best of him until he's lining up with Suarez and Sturridge next year.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Anyone ever hear the one about Barca pumping Messi full of hormone growth treatments as a teenager? The story goes that because they pumped him full of this shit he's unlikely to be much good for anything beyond 30 years of age.

Probably bollocks, like.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

That's not a story Stu ... It's pretty much accepted ...

 

[Rouge Penguin]

They pumped his bollocks full of shit? Poor lad.

 

[Delinquent]

I think expecting Messi to repeat the feats of the last couple of years in an injury-hit season with a new manager is a bit harsh. His goals to games ratio is still second only to Ronaldo in the division. Talk of a fundamental decline is a little premature.