10 - Lionel Messi - v3

[Galning]

People often forget how tiring, both emotionally and physically, playing at the top level actually is. Especially if you consider Messi played, consistently, above that top level for an insane amount of years. There is no way he could've kept that up, and he didn't even do that. He IMPROVED every single season.
I remember the old school discussions on here when people were starting to dream of him breaking Ronaldo's, el fenomeno, 37 goal La Liga record. It looked like something impossible. Little did we know only a few years later he would've destroyed that record easily and doing so much more on top of that.
Even this passed season he scored like 40+ goals in arguably the worst Barcelona team, both on and off the pitch going from the board to the coach to the players, since 2008. We are lucky to have this player in our ranks.

And yes, we all want to see him beasting and feasting every other three/four days week in week out like he used to do but please... let's put things into perspective. When the little man retires you would kill to see him putting on that blaugrana striped jersey one more time.

 

[messi2140]

There were constant discussions ronaldo vs messi. Now i see only discussions of messi vs maradona...

 

[Blaugrana Bull]

It has evolved to Messi vs "prime Messi" already.

 

[JamDav1982]

People often forget how tiring, both emotionally and physically, playing at the top level actually is. Especially if you consider Messi played, consistently, above that top level for an insane amount of years. There is no way he could've kept that up, and he didn't even do that. He IMPROVED every single season.
I remember the old school discussions on here when people were starting to dream of him breaking Ronaldo's, el fenomeno, 37 goal La Liga record. It looked like something impossible. Little did we know only a few years later he would've destroyed that record easily and doing so much more on top of that.
Even this passed season he scored like 40+ goals in arguably the worst Barcelona team, both on and off the pitch going from the board to the coach to the players, since 2008. We are lucky to have this player in our ranks.

And yes, we all want to see him beasting and feasting every other three/four days week in week out like he used to do but please... let's put things into perspective. When the little man retires you would kill to see him putting on that blaugrana striped jersey one more time.

I dont think anyone disputes that Messi has in the last few years taken football to a level they have never seen before but undoubtedly he is not in good physical shape at moment and has not been the constant presence he has been in games in past.

It is not some slight on Messi's legacy to discuss if he no longer looks the player he was.

 

[Galning]

It is not some slight on Messi's legacy to discuss if he no longer looks the player he was.

It isn't. You are missing the point.
It's just that some people's point of view on this matter is a bit short sighted to say the least. If you honestly think he's just jogging around for the sake of it and saying "he's lazy" then you might want to take a broader perspective of looking at the situation. Nobody would be able to keep that level of performances up. Posting stuff like "Lol I wish he ran more" just isn't the right way to look at it. There was a moment in the game versus The Netherlands where he had a bit of space just outside the Dutch box, with only Vlaar covering him I think, and you just know a few years ago he would've skipped past him with ease to pass it in. Now Vlaar was able to make a last ditch tackle. There is nothing wrong with saying Messi is not the same Messi, even a one-eyed dog can see that. The mistake is in people thinking it's just due to motivation, stamina, laziness or any other thing they come up with. For me, he is just exhausted and I honestly don't see it changing anytime soon.

 

[zealot]

It has evolved to Messi vs "prime Messi" already.

I honestly think this shows that UNARGUABLY Messi is indeed THE GOAT. Look at the topic of discussions.

Messi vs Maradona/Pele
Messi vs Ronaldo
Messi vs old Messi

People are comparing him with ANYTHING. Just ANYTHING imaginable.

 

[JamDav1982]

It isn't. You are missing the point.
It's just that some people's point of view on this matter is a bit short sighted to say the least. If you honestly think he's just jogging around for the sake of it and saying "he's lazy" then you might want to take a broader perspective of looking at the situation. Nobody would be able to keep that level of performances up. Posting stuff like "Lol I wish he ran more" just isn't the right way to look at it. There was a moment in the game versus The Netherlands where he had a bit of space just outside the Dutch box, with only Vlaar covering him I think, and you just know a few years ago he would've skipped past him with ease to pass it in. Now Vlaar was able to make a last ditch tackle. There is nothing wrong with saying Messi is not the same Messi, even a one-eyed dog can see that. The mistake is in people thinking it's just due to motivation, stamina, laziness or any other thing they come up with. For me, he is just exhausted and I honestly don't see it changing anytime soon.

I dont think playing for years at the top level should lead to him being this exaughsted though. He has reached the heights no one else has largely through his own ability more than anything else.

Other players have just as physical 4/5 years, perhaps even more so.

Ronaldo for example has played year after year and improved each year. He plays a more physically demanding style than Messi does but has not had the same problems.

 

[Galning]

Every person is different though and Ronaldo never reached Messi's level. I can imagine him being totally worn out at this particular point in time. Messi being Messi it's quite possible that he re-finds his godlike shape, although as I said I wouldn't hold my breath. I hope so though (who doesn't?).

 

[Behrox]

I dont think playing for years at the top level should lead to him being this exaughsted though. He has reached the heights no one else has largely through his own ability more than anything else.

Other players have just as physical 4/5 years, perhaps even more so.

Ronaldo for example has played year after year and improved each year. He plays a more physically demanding style than Messi does but has not had the same problems.

you guys underestimate exactly how much those short burst of acceleration can take a toll on the body. While Ronaldo's style is more athletic its normal for the legs to run fast but those insane bursts of speed from Messi take a heavier toll on the muscles as they aren't designed to produce that much energy in such a short amount of time especially for someone like Messi who had a growth hormone deficiency which stunted his proper muscle growth

 

[mozad]

Messi is just a bit out of shape and lacks motivation. That is IT. And depending on his mentality he can change that completely. Three years of bad coaching and before that winning everything has left him without real motivation and ofcourse this has had an negative impact on his shape. In the world cup he has enormous motivation but his shape is still lacking because of the past terrible seasons where he hasen't had any motivation, his teams were shit, and coaches were pretty terrible. The consequences of that kind of pattern doesn't just go away. But it's nothing that can't be fixed. If Messi wins this world cup I think he will EXPLODE next season. If doesn't then it will be the end of Messi or he might even quit or switch teams for a change.

 

[JamDav1982]

Every person is different though and Ronaldo never reached Messi's level. I can imagine him being totally worn out at this particular point in time. Messi being Messi it's quite possible that he re-finds his godlike shape, although as I said I wouldn't hold my breath. I hope so though (who doesn't?).

Ronaldo never reaching Messi's level is largely irrelevant - he still has as physically a demanding time probably even more so but you as you said every player is different.

Personally I think Messi's attitude has changed and he has in his day to day club role lost a bit of motivation/spark which is hard to just turn on and start playing in a more demanding way when required at this World Cup. It may not even be a conscious thing.

I also think anxiety has played a part, for me he played a style at Barca this season where he took it easy clearly with his injury problems and coming World Cup in mind. If he also trained in that way then he cannot have been in the right physical shape to play as Messi of old. The fitness just wouldnt have been there to do it.

Where I differ from you is I think he will get back to being the player he was after the world cup. He can approach training and games without fear of what could happen.

Dont know if will ever see him as hungry as he was 3/4 years ago but think he will improve physically.

Whatever its been a priivelege to watch him!

 

[Ursegor]

I don't buy that he's worn out at this point. He was the same old Messi a few months ago. This game happened mid season just a couple of months ago.

[video=vimeo;78157092]http://vimeo.com/78157092[/video]

He had that zip and spark as usual, running rings around defenders. Now he says his legs feel as if they weigh 100 kg and looks spent after 60 minutes. It's a fitness issue. Don't know why and how but he hasn't naturally declined with 27.

 

[Busi-Messi Barca]

It isn't. You are missing the point.
It's just that some people's point of view on this matter is a bit short sighted to say the least. If you honestly think he's just jogging around for the sake of it and saying "he's lazy" then you might want to take a broader perspective of looking at the situation. Nobody would be able to keep that level of performances up. Posting stuff like "Lol I wish he ran more" just isn't the right way to look at it. There was a moment in the game versus The Netherlands where he had a bit of space just outside the Dutch box, with only Vlaar covering him I think, and you just know a few years ago he would've skipped past him with ease to pass it in. Now Vlaar was able to make a last ditch tackle. There is nothing wrong with saying Messi is not the same Messi, even a one-eyed dog can see that. The mistake is in people thinking it's just due to motivation, stamina, laziness or any other thing they come up with. For me, he is just exhausted and I honestly don't see it changing anytime soon.

For a time I blamed Barca staff both fitness and medical for conditioning but the more he plays the less I think that is the cause for his form. He is simply exhausted and almost at the burn out phase.

I agree the lazy argument is a terrible one. You can see how much effort he is putting in because every effort he gives leads to near exhaustion. He still has the ability there is no doubt about that and even at near exhaustion he can create magic.

I wish the guy could have two months after the world cup to play with his kid and relax - tell me he doesn't deserve it win or lose.

As for Barca is there no one with the balls there to say Leo you need a rest mate? Surely he knows himself he needs a break? Maybe this year he will understand that more. :icon_neutral:

I think he has been the player of the tournament by far and considering some symptoms of exhaustion:

- Unusual levels of fatigue
- Weaker immune system
- Constant aching throughout your body

that is impressive to say the least.

 

[Babylonian]

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[Androutsos]

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The last sentence of this makes me laugh so much!