As a football analyst who lives by Opta data and Expected Threat models, I break down why Lionel Messi’s high match ratings aren’t just luck—they’re math. Using the controversial Di María vs. Kessié performance as a case study, I show how modern scoring systems reward vision, risk-taking, and impact—even when the stats don’t tell the whole story. Spoiler: It’s not about clean passes; it’s about influence.