Unfortunately, tonight's game gave more credence to those who have been saying that Messi really doesn't perform well when the likes of Iniesta and Xavi are contained, that he relied on the brilliant Barca stars to get to where he is today.
I hate it so much that I don't know how to give a rebuttal to this.
The thing is Messi isn't some kid anymore lighting up the footballing world. He's nearly 27 years old and shows lack of passion and energy in games when he should be playing in his prime. He should be a leader and he should inspire this team. He's MORE THAN CAPABLE of doing this as anyone here knows.
Where is the passion? Where is the drive? Where is the hunger? Where is the heart? Where is the energy? Where is the motivation?
No one in the world questions Messi's talent, it's unanimous that he is the most talented player in the world, but talent isn't enough.
This was a disaster in the highest order, today we saw a soulless Messi, someone who just didn't give a shit anymore.
I know this forums laughed at Cristiano when he cried after winning the ballon d'or and beating Messi this year. But it really showed his passion for the game.
The Messi 4 years ago couldn't bear losing, broke into tears when he was injured and couldn't play. The kid oozed of desire to win.
Where has it gone?
Kilometers ran by Atletico players
'Cebolla', 2,023
Courtois, 3,313
Diego, 4,521
Adrián, 7,758
Miranda, 8,477
Godín, 8,670
Villa, 9,149
Juanfran, 9,548
Filipe Luis, 9,819
Tiago, 11,348
Rául García, 11,660
Gabi, 11,737
Koke, 12,280
Kilometers ran by our guys
Pedro, 2,494
Alexis, 3,346
Pinto, 5,359
Iniesta, 7,735
Cesc, 7,733
Messi, 6,853
Mascherano, 9,160
Neymar, 9,519
Bartra, 10,640
Busquets, 10,753
Alves, 10,827
Alba, 11,525
Xavi, 11,820
Numbers don't tell the whole story. But when you see a player like Lionel Messi on the low end of this, it really does make you wonder a bit. Love Messi to death don't get me wrong, but ever since Pep left, he's gotten a little too comfortable and maybe just maybe he's more concerned with just scoring goals than doing whats best for the team.
Argentina is not going to win the WC anyway, so all of this talk about him saving himself for the World Cup is nonsense. You know, all of this lazy talk is starting to follow him more and more, its not a coincidence either, he just been inconsistent.What if he still didn't have a good WC in the end? Risked it all for nothing?
He could become Ronaldinho 2.0 except he will keep scoring tap ins and penalties. Wouldn't be surprised if he choked in the World Cup too.