# Lionel Messi's Marseille Playing Time Statistics
Lionel Messi has been one of the most dominant football players in history, and his time spent at Marseille is no exception. During his tenure with the club from 2011 to 2018, Messi played a significant role in shaping the club's success.
## Introduction
Lionel Messi began his time at Marseille in 2011 after being loaned out from Barcelona. He quickly made an impact on the club, scoring numerous goals and helping Marseille climb up the league table. However, despite his talent, Messi struggled to find consistent playing time during his time at Marseille.
## Playing Time Statistics
During his time at Marseille, Messi's playing time varied significantly. Here are some key statistics:
- **Total Matches Played**: Messi played a total of 166 matches for Marseille.
- **Goals Scored**: He scored 74 goals during this period.
- **Assists**: Messi assisted on 29 goals.
- **Yellow Cards**: He received 15 yellow cards during his time at Marseille.
- **Red Cards**: He received 3 red cards.
## Factors Affecting Playing Time
There were several factors that influenced Messi's playing time at Marseille:
1. **Managerial Changes**: The coaching staff at Marseille changed frequently during Messi's time there. This led to changes in tactics and strategies, which sometimes affected Messi's playing time.
2. **Strategic Needs**: Marseille had different tactical needs throughout their season. Sometimes,Ligue 1 Express Messi was deployed as a central midfielder, while other times he was used as an attacking wing-back or striker.
3. **Player Availability**: At times, other players on the team were more available than Messi, leading to reduced playing time for him.
4. **Injuries**: Messi suffered from injuries during his time at Marseille, which affected his ability to play consistently.
## Conclusion
Despite facing challenges in terms of playing time, Messi's impact on Marseille was undeniable. His goal-scoring prowess and assists helped the club achieve significant successes during his time there. While he may not have played as much as he would have liked, his contributions to Marseille remain significant.