Barcelona cruised into the winter break with a 4-1 win over Alavés, the club’s final match of 2019 on Saturday at the Camp Nou. Lionel Messi scored a stunning strike in the 69th minute (nice) to help the Blaugrana ensure their spot atop the LaLiga table heading into 2020 (unless Real Madrid wins by more than five goals on Sunday).
With his goal Saturday, Messi finished 2019 with 50 goals in all competitions for club and country, the ninth time he’s done that this decade.
Lionel Messi Stats 2019
- LaLiga: 34 goals in 32 appearances
- Champions League: 8 goals in 11 appearances
- Copa Del Rey: 3 goals in 5 appearances
- International: 5 goals in 10 appearances
- Total: 50 goals in 58 appearances
Leo #Messi has scored at least goals (club & country) in 9 of the last 10 calendar years!
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 21, 2019
For the 2010s, Messi recorded an insane 579 goals to go with 230 assists and 25 trophies. Not a bad decade.
Before the match, Barcelona honored the team that won six trophies 10 years ago in 2009, including a return to the Camp Nou for Carles Puyol.
Messi concluded his 2019 year — which included a record sixth Ballon d’Or — with a routine win and a stellar blast to put his side up 3-1. After Pere Pons had pulled one back after halftime for the visitors, Messi put to rest any hopes of a comeback with this great goal.
Before Messi’s 50th goal of 2019, Antoine Griezmann and Arturo Vidal converted to put Barcelona in front.
Griezmann gave the home side the lead in the 14th minute with a strong right-footed finish.
Vidal struck right before halftime with a powerful blast.
Luis Suarez converted a penalty kick in the 75th minute as Barcelona eased into the Christmas break with a comfortable win.
Barcelona vs. Alavés Highlights 2019
Barcelona’s next match will be at Espanyol on Jan. 4.