Because of the World Cup, Messi only resumes training late. He returned on November 21, 2015 against Real Madrid, beaten 4-0 in La Liga. La Pulga showed altruism, distributing decisive passes and making up for the shortcomings of a physically worn midfielder, like Xavi Hernandez, still precious, but less enduring. Although lacking in rhythm, La Pulga is particularly sought after by Tata Martino. During the summer, Tata Martino agrees to take charge of the Argentine selection and therefore leaves FC Barcelona, which replaces him with Luis Enrique, former emblematic player and coach of the reserve. He won this title of best player in the world for the fifth time in his career, which is an unprecedented performance. Under the colors of the Merengues, he won three Liga in 2017, 2020 and 2022, two Spanish Cups in 2014 and 2023, five Champions Leagues in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022 as well as the FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA during those same years. In particular, the friendly match between Argentina and the German world champions on September 3 is missing.
However, he once again lost in the final, against Chile, on penalties (0-0, 4-2 after Barça started the season against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup and lost both matches ( 1-3, 2-0), Messi scoring his team's only goal. This change of stadium proved fruitful since Tottenham became champions of the Southern League in 1900, and above all, won the FA Cup ) the following season.On August 25, Barcelona signed Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen following Claudio Bravo's departure to the Premier League. The month begins with the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou which ends with the result of 1 to 1 (Neymar's goal for the blaugranas). Zhou Yang won the final with a new Olympic record in 2 min 16 s 993, ahead of Koreans Lee Eun-byul and Park Seung-hi. He became the main custodian of the game of the Culés, with before him the Brazilian Neymar and the Uruguayan Luis Suárez, the new attackers of the Catalan team. He is still decisive in the quarter-finals against Venezuela, then in the semi-finals against the United States, passing Gabriel Batistuta in the ranking of the top scorers of the Argentine team.
Sergio Busquets becomes the team's new captain following Messi's departure. On February 23, following a tight match, Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in London thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi (Champions League round of 16). The next match is the North London Derby against Arsenal, the first being played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. On January 11, 2016, Lionel Messi was elected FIFA Ballon d'Or 2015 with 41.33% of the votes, ahead of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and his Brazilian teammate Neymar, the other two finalists. ↑ Best FIFA mens player. On January 12, he finished second in the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or with 15.76% of the vote, behind Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of the Champions League. He finished second top scorer in the championship with 43 goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (48 goals), and best passer (18 assists). At the end of the championship, Barcelona finished second behind Real Madrid. He finished for the 4th in five years in second place for the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, again European champion with Real. Deprived of Neymar and Rafinha who won the same day the gold medal with Brazil at the Rio Olympics, Barcelona won with goals from Arda Turan, Lionel Messi (doubled) and Luis Suárez (tripled).
On February 14, author of a goal from a free kick and two assists, he paid tribute to Johan Cruyff and Jesper Olsen by performing an ingenious combination with Luis Suárez on a penalty against Celta Vigo, beaten 6-1. On February 17, he passed the milestone of 300 goals scored in La Liga with a double on the lawn of Sporting Gijon and the following week he scored twice on the field of Arsenal in the knockout stages of the Champions League. On February 20, Barcelona won 2-1 in Las Palmas thanks to goals from Suárez and Neymar (25th day of the championship). Then on the 22nd, Barcelona obtained a new draw at San Siro (1 to 1, goal by Messi) against AC Milan in the Champions League (3rd group day). On January 7, 2018, neymar jerseys he played against Levante UD his 400th match in the first division and scored his 365th goal in the competition. He was then responsible for Gonzalo Higuaín's goal which eliminated Belgium in the quarter-finals. Barcelona qualified for their eighth Champions League final in their history despite losing 3-2 (5-3 win on aggregate).