Lionel Messi vs. Robert Lewandowski: Who’s having the better season?

Barcelona and Bayern Munich do battle in the Champions League quarterfinals, pitting Lionel Messi against Robert Lewandowski. Who’s having the better season?

The Champions League quarterfinal stage will feature two of the greatest players in recent soccer history: Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.

The clash between Barcelona and Bayern Munich on Friday is the biggest game of the round, if not the year. Although the annual Ballon d’Or will not be awarded this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, both Messi and Lewandowski can lay claim to the prize had it been slated to be handed out.

With Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo out of the competition, both Messi and Lewandowski are hoping to lead their respective clubs to the final. While the pandemic pause broke the momentum of many teams and players, it did little to stop these two players.

As Barca and Bayern prepare to square off, here’s a look at the two players — measured in three simple categories — and who’s having, for now, the better season.

Goals

Messi and Lewandowski have both been scoring machines this season. Messi was La Liga’s top scorer this past season with 25 goals (in 33 games), but that tally was lower than his 36 from the previous season. In the Champions League, Messi has tallied just three goals.

Lewandowski, meanwhile, also topped the charts, bagging 34 goals (in 31 games), the most ever scored by a non-German. In the Champions League, Lewandowski is currently the top scorer with 13 goals from just seven appearances. Just two of those goals came via penalty kicks.

Advantage: Lewandowski 

Assists

The 33-year-old Messi is a playmaking genius like few in history, and his 25 assists in 43 matches across all competitions proves it. Of those assists, 21 came in La Liga (setting a new league record), while just three came in the Champions League.

Lewandowski has just eight assists across all competitions this season. While that’s fewer than the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, it is primarily because the Polish striker plays in a more advanced position. His ability to take shots and qualities as a poacher make him more of a scorer than a passer.

Advantage: Messi 

Team performance

While both Barcelona and Bayern Munich are hoping to win the Champions League this summer, the clubs have a track record as to how their respective seasons have already gone. Barca, for example, finished second to Real Madrid in La Liga. In the Copa del Rey, the Spanish league cup, Barca was ousted in the quarterfinals.

At the same time, Bayern steamrolled to another Bundesliga title this season and also snatched the double by capturing the DFB-Pokal, the country’s domestic cup.

Advantage: Lewandowski  

Overall

The edge this season, for now, goes to the 31-year-old Lewandowski. Strikers are measured primarily by the number of goals they score and Lewandowski is undoubtedly having a great season. But soccer is also a team sport. Major trophies matter. That’s why Messi can crown another great year should he lift the Champions League trophy for a fifth time.