10 - Lionel Messi - v2

[PearLBLacK]

I think he knew he was underperforming that game, he seemed very frustrated during the end and forced things. Im cool with him missing passes or shots, these things happen, but his workrate that game was particularly poor, which is ok against bad teams to save energy, but against Real we need all players working as hard they can. There was one play where we had a counter attack and (I think Cesc) wanted to pass him the ball but he was way offside because he was just slowly walking back from an attack a minute before, then Cesc had to wait and lost the ball. I mean that is just lack of effort, and unlike Messi who usually gives his all against Madrid.

Never understood the "he walks around to save energy for the big games" argument? For one thing, these are professional athletes, not couch potatoes who need to conserve energy for every small task. I mean, true, he might play 60 games a season, usually twice a week, sometime 3 matches in 8 days. But so does almost every other starter in any other top team.

And the pitch isn't the only place on which they exert their energy. They train almost every day, and that's very rigid training. So taking it easy against Granada on a Sunday to save energy for a top team on Wednesday doesn't make sense since he'll be training his ass off on Tuesday anyways.

So don't know why people keep bringing this up. Doesn't make sense...

 

[Der Kaiser]

Never understood the "he walks around to save energy for the big games" argument? For one thing, these are professional athletes, not couch potatoes who need to conserve energy for every small task. I mean, true, he might play 60 games a season, usually twice a week, sometime 3 matches in 8 days. But so does almost every other starter in any other top team.

And the pitch isn't the only place on which they exert their energy. They train almost every day, and that's very rigid training. So taking it easy against Granada on a Sunday to save energy for a top team on Wednesday doesn't make sense since he'll be training his ass off on Tuesday anyways.

So don't know why people keep bringing this up. Doesn't make sense...

Messi seemed really exhausted towards the end of last season, in the games which mattered most, the semifinals against Chelsea and the Liga game against Real. He cant play over 60 games a season for full 90 minutes with 100% intensity every game, he would breake down at some point. The one thing where Ronaldo has a clear edge over Messi in my opinion is fitness, he´s a physical beast and able to run his socks off every single game, Messi doesnt have that stamina but is expected to play every game and perform in big matches. Thats why he needs to take it easy in some games.
Im sure there are a lot of players who could play the same minutes per season that he´s playing, its not like he´s the most physically gifted player in the world, but they dont have his abilities to win games and make everybody else better.

Training is not as intense as matches, at least not during the busy part of the season where you have 2 games every week. They have a day off, maybe a day of light recovery training, then a day of match preparation, plus workouts in the gym or running. Having them run at full speed during training would only tire them and risk injuries.

 

[DonAndres]

Never understood the "he walks around to save energy for the big games" argument? For one thing, these are professional athletes, not couch potatoes who need to conserve energy for every small task. I mean, true, he might play 60 games a season, usually twice a week, sometime 3 matches in 8 days. But so does almost every other starter in any other top team.

And the pitch isn't the only place on which they exert their energy. They train almost every day, and that's very rigid training. So taking it easy against Granada on a Sunday to save energy for a top team on Wednesday doesn't make sense since he'll be training his ass off on Tuesday anyways.

So don't know why people keep bringing this up. Doesn't make sense...

I don't think any other forward plays 60 games a season. Messi does walk around to save energy for big games and avoid unecessary injuries like pulling muscles. Players who have an extremely high workrate are respectable but Messi can't afford to risk it because of all the expectations on him. Also, I think he walks to save energy for short spurts towards the end of the match where he can take advantage of tired defenders and score. It explains why when a game is really slow paced and all the players are tired, Messi can suddenly turn on and create a brief moment of magic out of nowhere in which he creates an attacking chance. It's unpredictable, it's useful, and it's really smart if you ask me.

 

[Barca8]

Got no respect for Real Madrid at the moment.

Same here. Low life bastards. "Can't beat em? No problem we'll break their legs."
I can't wait till Mourinho is sacked at the end of the season. Without a trophy, humility, respect or any dignity.

Alonso & Arbeloa's NT days are numbered too. Javi Martinez is phenomenal with Bayern and will soon be in the midfield with Busquets and as soon as Montoya gets more minutes with us, Arbeloa is done.

My fondest memory of Arbeloa

 

[Giannino]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xx...tajo-de-messi-por-la-sexta_sport#.UQxzGx1NNsY

Very ugly action.

 

[ThwiX]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xx...tajo-de-messi-por-la-sexta_sport#.UQxzGx1NNsY

Very ugly action.

Nice editing.

 

[PearLBLacK]

Messi seemed really exhausted towards the end of last season, in the games which mattered most, the semifinals against Chelsea and the Liga game against Real. He cant play over 60 games a season for full 90 minutes with 100% intensity every game, he would breake down at some point. The one thing where Ronaldo has a clear edge over Messi in my opinion is fitness, he´s a physical beast and able to run his socks off every single game, Messi doesnt have that stamina but is expected to play every game and perform in big matches. Thats why he needs to take it easy in some games.
Im sure there are a lot of players who could play the same minutes per season that he´s playing, its not like he´s the most physically gifted player in the world, but they dont have his abilities to win games and make everybody else better.

Training is not as intense as matches, at least not during the busy part of the season where you have 2 games every week. They have a day off, maybe a day of light recovery training, then a day of match preparation, plus workouts in the gym or running. Having them run at full speed during training would only tire them and risk injuries.

I don't think any other forward plays 60 games a season. Messi does walk around to save energy for big games and avoid unecessary injuries like pulling muscles. Players who have an extremely high workrate are respectable but Messi can't afford to risk it because of all the expectations on him. Also, I think he walks to save energy for short spurts towards the end of the match where he can take advantage of tired defenders and score. It explains why when a game is really slow paced and all the players are tired, Messi can suddenly turn on and create a brief moment of magic out of nowhere in which he creates an attacking chance. It's unpredictable, it's useful, and it's really smart if you ask me.

Thanks for the replies. But I don't understand how walking around the greater part of a match on Sunday, saves you energy for a match on Wednesday. Messi doesn't have Ronaldo's fitness, yes, but I still don't think a professional athlete like him needs to take it easy in the previous match as well the 3-4 days in between so he can be 100% fit. Unless his is a special case of having a far inferior fitness level compared to other players.

Thanks

 

[DonAndres]

Thanks for the replies. But I don't understand how walking around the greater part of a match on Sunday, saves you energy for a match on Wednesday. Messi doesn't have Ronaldo's fitness, yes, but I still don't think a professional athlete like him needs to take it easy in the previous match as well the 3-4 days in between so he can be 100% fit. Unless his is a special case of having a far inferior fitness level compared to other players.

Thanks

Yea I can understand the skepticism on how saving energy in one game helps in another. However I still think it's a smart idea because he avoids overworking muscles which can lead to pulls or tears during the game and he saves his energy for smart attacking plays where he can score or create a goal. He'll be fresh enough to just peel away from his markers and score because of the fact that he saved his energy for the right moment.

 

[tariqo]

Beast

1 of the best pics of him

 

[FiReFTW]

http://media22.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/i/2013/02/469876.jpeg

is this pic edited? if not, what was messi thinking?

 

[Der Kaiser]

http://media22.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/i/2013/02/469876.jpeg

is this pic edited? if not, what was messi thinking?

never seen someone spit on a pitch before? you should start playing football yourself man.

 

[Garrus]

Thanks for the replies. But I don't understand how walking around the greater part of a match on Sunday, saves you energy for a match on Wednesday. Messi doesn't have Ronaldo's fitness, yes, but I still don't think a professional athlete like him needs to take it easy in the previous match as well the 3-4 days in between so he can be 100% fit. Unless his is a special case of having a far inferior fitness level compared to other players.

Thanks

Messi has been 'walking' since the very start of this season, What happened in the last clasico is no exception, You see everyone pointing this out specifically now is because despite his walking he used to score and assist in almost every game so no one complained about this until now.
What's is clear about this, Is that he's been relieved of a greater part of the defensive burdens he used to have in the previous seasons, That's why you see him just walking around, Now why the coaching staff decided this, As a prophylaxis to avoid muscle injuries is the first thing that comes to my mind , It could also be to keep him fresh though out the season, And even in the same 90 minutes that he plays in, Many of him goals came in the last 20 minutes.
The way i see it, It's been a good decision from tito, It is the best season for him in terms of goals without a doubt, And his assist record is as good as ever, So this is by no mean a disabling thing, It's the exact opposite really, Now just because he didn't turn into hulk in the clasico isn't a reason to stop this, I think the ones who complain about this are basing it on 'emotional' reason because of the clasico, Not that it really is a bad thing.

 

[UberNjufer]

http://media22.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/i/2013/02/469876.jpeg

is this pic edited? if not, what was messi thinking?

he cant spit?

 

[FiReFTW]

never seen someone spit on a pitch before? you should start playing football yourself man.

Yea but spiting directly towards Ronaldo, he should know better, Marca and all the ugly madrid media and players are just waiting for things like that so they can bash his name.

Btw just to be clear I do play football but I never spit, I think its disgusting tbh, but I can understand why other players would do it.

 

[UberNjufer]

Messi has been 'walking' since the very start of this season, What happened in the last clasico is no exception, You see everyone pointing this out specifically now is because despite his walking he used to score and assist in almost every game so no one complained about this until now.
What's is clear about this, Is that he's been relieved of a greater part of the defensive burdens he used to have in the previous seasons, That's why you see him just walking around, Now why the coaching staff decided this, As a prophylaxis to avoid muscle injuries is the first thing that comes to my mind , It could also be to keep him fresh though out the season, And even in the same 90 minutes that he plays in, Many of him goals came in the last 20 minutes.
The way i see it, It's been a good decision from tito, It is the best season for him in terms of goals without a doubt, And his assist record is as good as ever, So this is by no mean a disabling thing, It's the exact opposite really, Now just because he didn't turn into hulk in the clasico isn't a reason to stop this, I think the ones who complain about this are basing it on 'emotional' reason because of the clasico, Not that it really is a bad thing.

Problem is not his lack of defensive work but his walking around when we are attacking.He seems to be waiting for the ball to be served to his feet and rarely ever does runs into space these days.He still is the best but his work rate on the pitch is not.