10 - Lionel Messi - v3

[Der Kaiser]

:whistle2:

Pressing/Running is a lot more vital in today´s game than it was in the past. Today´s players have a lot better training and diet, it´s not too much to ask for 10km per game, even for a player like Messi. He used to run a lot more, I think it´s because he wanted to prove people that he´s the best. Now he knows he´s the best, so he thinks he doesnt have to press/run that much any more.

 

[Kerrybai]

Pressing/Running is a lot more vital in today´s game than it was in the past. Today´s players have a lot better training and diet, it´s not too much to ask for 10km per game, even for a player like Messi. He used to run a lot more, I think it´s because he wanted to prove people that he´s the best. Now he knows he´s the best, so he thinks he doesnt have to press/run that much any more.

I don't think he ever averaged 10km, I think during Pep's time with all the pressing he do around 9.5. He's a different player now and we on't press like we used to. It's time to move on.

 

[Der Kaiser]

Awww such passion!

she is a great fan both for Argentina and Leo



I strongly believe it is not his laziness that we are seeing. If Messi had turned lazy we would have seen it in other aspects of his game and also in his fitness level. however we see that He has kept very fit and has shown form when the team has called upon his brilliance.
The main issue with Messi's current way of playing stems from bad coaching and instability of his teams IMO.; Up until the ends of the Tito year he still would run more, but when Tata came on things changed. Sabella has obviously not addressed this seriously either.

It is also possible that omitting messi from pressing and tracking back has been part of the plan to give Messi more freedom of action and energy for when it is most needed (getting ball to messi not messi to ball) and it would have been a good plan for certain matches but you can not keep playing your player in a role with a limited definition and expect wonders every game so you need variety; However the last two years, it seems the coaches have lost the plot and forgotten to keep the balance in every part of their plans, resulting in Messi's repetitive role and gradual lessening of movements.
Messi have been playing like this for more than a year and non of the coaches have shown any problems with it, so he kept playing the way he is now. All we truely need is a coach with a new plan to take Messi into a more active role.

I think a reason for coaches allowing him freedom from defensive work is that he's being asked to be the game changer in almost every game. If he got rested a lot more against bad opponents he could save his energy better. Id rather have a player give 100% effort in 2/3 games than 70% in 3/3. But the way Messi usually acts when he's being subbed, it seems like it's hard to convince him not to play matches in which we dont need him.

 

[dakt]

Wat? Xavi? Hell no!

 

[footyfan]

Finally, a GREAT Messi skills video after a long time.

 

[Mitchell1978]

Pressing/Running is a lot more vital in today´s game than it was in the past. Today´s players have a lot better training and diet, it´s not too much to ask for 10km per game, even for a player like Messi. He used to run a lot more, I think it´s because he wanted to prove people that he´s the best. Now he knows he´s the best, so he thinks he doesnt have to press/run that much any more.

Not true, he was instructed/allowed to play like this by the barça staff (Pep & Tito) to conserve energy, press less so he could be more decisive when it matters. Off course this season there have been other issues like injuries and chaos in the team, inadequate coach etc so this season should be viewed in some context.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

It is also possible that omitting messi from pressing and tracking back has been part of the plan to give Messi more freedom of action and energy for when it is most needed (getting ball to messi not messi to ball) and it would have been a good plan for certain matches but you can not keep playing your player in a role with a limited definition and expect wonders every game so you need variety; However the last two years, it seems the coaches have lost the plot and forgotten to keep the balance in every part of their plans, resulting in Messi's repetitive role and gradual lessening of movements.

Yes- balance is the point. No one expects Messi to press/track like Pedro/Alexis. I think most of us who have been critical or puzzled by Messi's movement at Barça refer to his lack of movement up front to receive the ball (short of dropping completely back into the midfield). When he walks around off the shoulder of both centerbacks, it's understandable why Barça players are reluctant to play a long pass into him, for fear of it being picked off or immediately tackled. When Messi is up front, moves only start when the ball is brought to him by a couple of other players penetrating and closing the passing distance. What we wonder is why Messi doesn't make a short burst here and there to make himself more available to receive, turn, and dribble.

Like others have mentioned, I can't rule out the possibility that some underlying condition isn't at least in part responsible (what other player vomits with Messi's regularity?), and that his exertion is best kept to infrequent spurts.

 

[CesDel]

Pressing/Running is a lot more vital in today´s game than it was in the past. Today´s players have a lot better training and diet, it´s not too much to ask for 10km per game, even for a player like Messi. He used to run a lot more, I think it´s because he wanted to prove people that he´s the best. Now he knows he´s the best, so he thinks he doesnt have to press/run that much any more.

Well, against Schweiz, Messi was the player that completed the most tackles, even though he ran so little. I prefer "smart running" over running like a headless chicken everytime..

I mean, compare Messi's lazy performances against Schweiz with Di Maria's headless chickenlike performance and Messi completed more passes, just 2 less dribble, created more chances and completed more tackles and lost the ball less than Di Maria, who lost the ball a total of 51 times..

 

[Butaan4barca]

Messi has been saving, team tactic for the last part of this world cup. But i think there is nothing wrong in going on easy in first half and blowing all cylinders in the second.

 

[KhaledBarca]

7.5 in 90 minutes is nothing why has he gotten so lazy

Against Iran, there was no spaces to run! not surprised.

Messi has averaged 8.2km per 90 minutes in world cup 2014. Not bad. Alexis averaged 1 km more for example (9.2)

 

[linetty]

Incredible drawing.

Better than FIFA14 haha

 

[aki13]

Incredible drawing.

She is the Messi of drawing. Unreal natural talent.

 

[King Leo]

She is the Messi of drawing. Unreal natural talent.

I can do a better job with the Argentina shirt


Scary accurate. The most important part in drawing a portrait is the eyes and drew Messi's better than a photoshop picture (wait is it photoshop?)

 

[Luftstalag14]

Gary Lineker: "Messi is a phenomenon. He's maybe the best player I've seen in my life. Maradona and Messi are the best ever." [catradio]

Lineker is the biggest Messi fanboy out there. Is he jiopi?

 

[DonAK]

Incredible drawing.

Wow.... Just wow.

Amazing.