Messi usually tracks back when the game is on the line and when he loses the ball. He tries to recover it. Apart from that, he doesn't contribute much defensively, but that's not an issue.
The issue is that he should move a bit more to receive the ball in more favorable positions, and this is something I expect a new coach who knows the art of positional play and movement will fix, or hide so it doesn't become an issue.
have you watched any barca match this season lol. i'm guessing not, because Suarez the striker runs his ass off every game.
Suarez is staying up front? Are people for real? He presses like crazy every game.
Messi doesn't track back? Messi barely tracks back, ever, and if tactics were actually working he wouldn't have to. He is already responsible for creating all of our attacks, finishing most of them... and some guys want him to play right back too now? Some points of view never fail to amaze me on here. Strange that the "Messi doesn't run" comments never appear when he bangs in 3 and gives a couple of assists. Guess what, he also doesn't run much then.
I'd say it again Messi never helps defensively.
I never said he doesn't run. When was the last time you saw Messi in our defensive half, not cordinating the midfield?
This year's score is misleading. His assists should be tripled what it is and that would increased his rating by a lot. Messi has been playing at an extremely high level. But he needs to bring his teammates to that level also.