He doesn’t inspire the team to trophies anymore

What always set Messi apart from his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo was that the Argentine’s brilliance would always end up in silverware come what May, while CR7 would often end the campaign pouting and empty handed. Last season though it was Ronaldo who picked up the Champions League and Copa del Rey, while Messi and co had to lick their wounds at a trophyless season.