With Neymar's departure to Paris and Luis Suarez's injury, Leo Messi will have to take the helm of the team in their La Liga opener against Real Betis.
The responsibilty in front of goal is almost entirely down to the Argentine, whose numbers in La Liga are impressive. Less than three years ago, he beat Telmo Zarra's long-lasting record. The legendary Athletic Bilbao striker scored 251 goals.
But Leo Messi has managed to dwarf those numbers and, if he finds the back of the net on Sunday, he will reach 350 goals. If he scores twice, he will have scored 100 goals more than Zarra in under three years, after scoring his first goal for Barcelona on May 1, 2005.
Out of those 349 goals, 284 have come from open play , 46 were penalties and 19 free-kicks. 200 goals came at home and 149 away from the Camp Nou.
The teams that have mostly been on the receiving end have been Sevilla (33 goals), Atletico (22) and Osasuna and Valencia (21). Real Madrid (16) and Espanyol (15) have also suffered his wrath.