10 - Lionel Messi - v2

[KhaledBarca]

Can we see more of these against better sides?

Messi has 11 assists against our biggest rival (Real Madrid) - Its also an all-time clasico record!

 

[Elite-BkD]

True again. His pass to Tello was special though and it's not just because it was a shit side.

That's another one of the same mould (very common from him) which I think is not nearly as impressive as people make it out to be, it's just an accurate pass into a pretty huge amount of space that's been left there to be exploited, nothing special and not inch-perfect as it seems on first look, Alba definitely tweaked his run a tad so as not to overrun it. I don't mean to sound like a hater 'cause it is lovely play, just not the kinda thing that only an elite small handful of players can pull off as its made out to be at times.

 

[footyfan]

I would like to know what you consider an impressive pass or vision.

 

[raskolnikov]

That's another one of the same mould (very common from him) which I think is not nearly as impressive as people make it out to be, it's just an accurate pass into a pretty huge amount of space that's been left there to be exploited, nothing special and not inch-perfect as it seems on first look, Alba definitely tweaked his run a tad so as not to overrun it. I don't mean to sound like a hater 'cause it is lovely play, just not the kinda thing that only an elite small handful of players can pull off as its made out to be at times.

You kind of sound like a hater if you keep belittling his vision/timing/passing skills.

One of the best active playmakers, name some who are on the same level or better?

 

[evilhita666]

The best I can take out of this match is that he was smiling on the bench with Pinto, it's so comforting to know he's in a good mood and ready to play for this team...

Also that back heel attempt was hilarious, I sincerely did not expect it...

 

[Luftstalag14]

That's another one of the same mould (very common from him) which I think is not nearly as impressive as people make it out to be, it's just an accurate pass into a pretty huge amount of space that's been left there to be exploited, nothing special and not inch-perfect as it seems on first look, Alba definitely tweaked his run a tad so as not to overrun it. I don't mean to sound like a hater 'cause it is lovely play, just not the kinda thing that only an elite small handful of players can pull off as its made out to be at times.

I too would like to know what those "only an elite small handful of players can pull off" assists or passes are.

 

[exneo]

Messi is not a metronomic passer like Xavi because that's not his style. But he has the best final pass in the world. There is no one better at linking the midfield to forwards than Messi, and he can do it in a false 9 role (Barcelona) or in a 10 role (Argentina). The fact that many of his passes come after dribbling 2 or 3 opponents makes that even more impressive. How many times have we seen him dribble down the right side, cut in, and deliver a killer 20 meter through ball. You don't see many players do that as regularly as Messi. There are other great passers in the game today, but Messi is the closest we have to Maradona: The magical 10 with the dribble and the golden deft touch, the perfect weighted pass: what's so special about Messi, that his teammates have said multiple times, is that he doesn't pass at you, he passes for you. I know that's basic football, but even most professionals can't do it right. (Actually Busquets is very good at this, too.) Barcelona doesn't play risky passes, Barcelona plays low risk low reward tiki taka - Messi is that piece that breaks the mold. Xavi and Busquets will hypnotize the opponent and then Messi will pounce. The fact that Messi can deliver such killer passes with the attention he always attracts is extremely impressive. He has less time than any other player in the world and yet he manages to always be a step ahead.

If you really want to see Messi the playmaker, then watch him play for Argentina. Pay close attention to his playmaking these past couple of years. If you think Alexis and Pedro are bad finishers, wait to see the sitters that Higuain and Lavezzi have missed.

 

[CatalinR10]

All hail the king

 

[CatalinR10]

 

[Galning]

If Messi'd play in midfield he would still be the best. Can't believe people are talking down his passing & vision, what the crap?

 

[Stric]

If Messi'd play in midfield he would still be the best. Can't believe people are talking down his passing & vision, what the crap?

+1

He's just so talented in so many areas of the game that it would be sacrilege not to play him as false #9, where he can utilize all of his skills more than in any other position.

 

[Elite-BkD]

Not trying to talk down the man's passing/vision, just saying that I think there are a lot of OTT reactions, as if every assist he makes is a piece of genius that few/no others would be able to pull off, and he's often talked about as though he's in a league of his own, head and shoulders above anyone else in terms of passing in the final third which is pure nonsense for me. Of course he's incredible but there's a good handful of players who are up there with him.

Anyways as for examples, I don't wanna go digging for footage 'cause I'm lazy, but IIRC Messi's first assist to Villa in that 5-0 vs Madrid, his previous similar pass to Xavi in same match, (both of which were way better than the 2nd assist to Villa which got similar praise even though Villa had retarded amounts of space to run into and it woulda been crazy not to spot that) there was a lot less space and room for error in those instances imo not to mention more pressure on Messi. In general Fabregas/Xavi/Iniesta are all also able to make brilliant passes and are definitely on Messi's level if not better in terms of passing/vision (Iniesta's trademark crazy passes from the opposing goal line to find a player open in a crowded box without even looking..Xavi we all know obviously has a ridiculously flawless sense of timing/weight for passes and crazy vision etc..)
Again, don't mean to take away from the guy or sound like a hater because he's a pretty near to impossible combination of a fantastic footballing brain with a deadly quick/explosive body and technique. But better vision/passing than anyone else playing, and he'd be the best CM in the world if he played there? Riiight...

 

[Ghost]

In general Fabregas/Xavi/Iniesta are all also able to make brilliant passes and are definitely on Messi's level if not better in terms of passing/vision

No, just no.

 

[Luftstalag14]

Not trying to talk down the man's passing/vision, just saying that I think there are a lot of OTT reactions, as if every assist he makes is a piece of genius that few/no others would be able to pull off, and he's often talked about as though he's in a league of his own, head and shoulders above anyone else in terms of passing in the final third which is pure nonsense for me. Of course he's incredible but there's a good handful of players who are up there with him.

Anyways as for examples, I don't wanna go digging for footage 'cause I'm lazy, but IIRC Messi's first assist to Villa in that 5-0 vs Madrid, his previous similar pass to Xavi in same match, (both of which were way better than the 2nd assist to Villa which got similar praise even though Villa had retarded amounts of space to run into and it woulda been crazy not to spot that) there was a lot less space and room for error in those instances imo not to mention more pressure on Messi. In general Fabregas/Xavi/Iniesta are all also able to make brilliant passes and are definitely on Messi's level if not better in terms of passing/vision (Iniesta's trademark crazy passes from the opposing goal line to find a player open in a crowded box without even looking..Xavi we all know obviously has a ridiculously flawless sense of timing/weight for passes and crazy vision etc..)
Again, don't mean to take away from the guy or sound like a hater because he's a pretty near to impossible combination of a fantastic footballing brain with a deadly quick/explosive body and technique. But better vision/passing than anyone else playing, and he'd be the best CM in the world if he played there? Riiight...

I don't think anyone is saying that Messi is in a league of its own when it comes to vision and passing. And I agree whatever Messi is capable of doing in this regard, Iniesta and Xavi (and a few others) can do it equally well, if not better.

 

[Stric]

No, just no.

Fabregas' strongest skills are vision and through passing, what's the problem? As far as those two things go, he's on par with Xavi.