10 - Lionel Messi - v5

[FCBfan22]

Sure, do you remember around when it happened?

I believe it was somewhere around 35th minute. Definately the end of the 1st half before Roberto's red.

 

[Total-Football]

Career defining classico.. Tapinaldo vs goat

 

[UEFA_Barça_Chris]

The moment I truly realized he’s 30 is watching him sprint for the ball before the Navas save. He’s still quick though.

 

[dakt]

Career defining classico.. Tapinaldo vs goat

tbh, Ronaldo did huge work before the goal, but Messi's goal was way, way harder to deliver.

 

[ASordidGod]

His walking and absence of pressing is obvious and it is costing us at times. If he won't run, someone else must. This is sort of fine in small games, but watching him walk in clasico is depressing. Also lost couple of balls, so he had shitty moments it has to be said. Pointing that out is not "hate" or overreaction.

He pressed as much as I've seen in years today. Was a little sloppy in possession first half, but to criticise his effort is unfair imo. Look, could he run more? Of course. But then he ends up tired and less effective overall. Stamina simply isn't his thing. Barca accept that because they believe (rightly imo) that he's worth it. Wish 'fans' could too. That's not aimed at you directly btw, just moaners in general. We're fortunate enough to be watching the best player of all time, probably, and instead of gratitude half the posts in here are criticising his work rate. Man's a genius. Different rules apply.

 

[SG-7]

Lol the trolls on here are pretty obvious. Without messi there would be no double. Period.
There would be no (hopefully) Invincible season.

Could it be that messi has to be putting an extra shift in midfield as our midfield is so shit?
And yet he scores most of the goals to bail us out of losing situations.

I dunno about you guys...but to me it was clear as day in this match alone the difference between Messi and Ronaldo.

Ronaldo waits to be fed the goals. Messi feeds other players goals and scores himself!

Nice try trolls.

 

[pregra]

2nd half was beast mode.

 

[RMU ReBorn]

Long live king. Two classico's , Atleti match , Sevilla away , Anoeta away , Villareal away .. we owe a lot to him for the invincible season

 

[dakt]

He pressed as much as I've seen in years today. Was a little sloppy in possession first half, but to criticise his effort is unfair imo. Look, could he run more? Of course. But then he ends up tired and less effective overall. Stamina simply isn't his thing. Barca accept that because they believe (rightly imo) that he's worth it. Wish 'fans' could too. That's not aimed at you directly btw, just moaners in general. We're fortunate enough to be watching the best player of all time, probably, and instead of gratitude half the posts in here are criticising his work rate. Man's a genius. Different rules apply.

The type of pressing required from him in the 1st half wouldn't exert much energy. It's a minimum effort required to press opponent when they're 2 meters away from him. I don't think it's energy preservation strategy, but clear laziness. When motivation kicks in he exerts that extra percent that can make the difference. Again, I understand even that laziness, but in this match he should have gone full throttle way earlier.

 

[viper76]

His walking and absence of pressing is obvious and it is costing us at times. If he won't run, someone else must. This is sort of fine in small games, but watching him walk in clasico is depressing. Also lost couple of balls, so he had shitty moments it has to be said. Pointing that out is not "hate" or overreaction.

Well he did the walking mode in the WC final nothing new .

 

[SG-7]

Tbh i think we may see a more fired up messi after the world cup. Seems like he may be just saving himself for that ie. walking around not really going to hard unless required to do so.

Albiet that dosen't excuse his performance against roma even though there were a few outside factors involved in that.

 

[RMU ReBorn]

jesus christ people are still crying over Roma game . Get over it . Villareal , Levante away and RSD to go for a great Domestic season

 

[George_Costanza]

He saved the day for us. I would like to see him fire up more in meaningful games like in UCL. But again thank you Messi, for the double and undefeated season so far.

 

[Felipetonelo]

I always had the feeling that Messi needs to be challenged to put 100% effort. When the game looks like an european game, he is hot and cold, appear and disappear. Dribble past 5 guys, then spend 5 minutes just walking offside.

But when the game looks more south america game, it seems he uses more energy, more intensity. He try new things and if he loses the ball, he starts running back and chasing the ball.

First half when things were calm, he was in walking mode, passing here and there. In second half he had that look in his eyes, hunger, determination, running, dribbling, making quick 1-2.

Maybe he needs teammates and a good coach to challenge him, to motivate him, someone who can say "I doubt you can do this" and then Messi goes and do it.
Really good game from him overall.

 

[jamrock]

Wish he would have cut back on Ramos instead of shooting on goal late in the second have that would have been a sure goal.