10 - Lionel Messi - v5

[Barca83]

Brilliant article by the guardian on Messi: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/20/lionel-messi-sun-king-argentina-blind-world-cup

According to the article Messi ran 7,6km, less than any other outfield player.

He ran 1,42km off the ball, less than Lloris who is a goalkeeper.

He made 17 sprints, half as many as Philippe Coutinho and Mesut Ozil in their opening games.

His top speed was 25 kph, slower than Iniesta or Busquets. In comparison Ronaldo's was 33 kph.

Messi has to seriously change his way of playing because that's shocking.

Agree, Messi's work rate and off the ball movement hold him and his team back a lot. It's one of the key reasons why he can be a much better dribbler and passer than Ronaldo but still not be much ahead of him as a player in most people's eyes.

 

[ThwiX]

Don’t see them winning against Croatia anymore now after seeing their line-up. Absolutely madness from Sampaoli and no creativity in that team other than Leo. Might very well not even get out of their group. Who would’ve thought? Crazy.

 

[Mitchell1978]

Messi average km per game has been around 8 km since 2010 so its nothing unusual for him.
Granted 7,6 is on the low side of his normal average but still people who think this is the big issue have little knowledge of his game.

 

[FCBfan22]

Don’t see them winning against Croatia anymore now after seeing their line-up. Absolutely madness from Sampaoli and no creativity in that team other than Leo. Might very well not even get out of their group. Who would’ve thought? Crazy.

Did that moron announce the lineup already again?

 

[Barca83]

Did that moron announce the lineup already again?

not officially, just "rumors"

Caballero; Mercado, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Salvio, Enzo, Mascherano, Acuna; Messi, Meza; Aguero

 

[FCBfan22]

Can somebody please explain the element of surprise to Sampaoli?

 

[Joan]

Can somebody please explain the element of surprise to Sampaoli?

Is that the guy who announced the lineup vs. Iceland 24 hours earlier than needed?

Doubt it.

 

[gr98]

 

[Jägermeister]

Messi average km per game has been around 8 km since 2010 so its nothing unusual for him.
Granted 7,6 is on the low side of his normal average but still people who think this is the big issue have little knowledge of his game.

If you move very little you are less available to participate and you probably don't defend or make many runs either. What is the "big issue" in your opinion?

inb4 teammates

 

[Felipetonelo]

View attachment 7892

This can't be true. How can someone say this team is better than Portugal squad?

 

[ronniecro]

i'm expecting another underwhelming match from him tomorrow and already prepared for dissapointment,can't see the way he could score unless free kick

 

[Joan]

How could Messi score? Does that ever happen?

Don't know what to tell about some of you guys.

 

[Hardy]

believe in acuna matata

 

[NorthernCule]

All that matters is that he scores.

Score?

He's going to be dropping deep and forcing every ball through him regardless of whether it's the best option.

Don't see him scoring playing as a CDM unless he gets a free-kick or another penalty (god-forbid he misses).

He needs to stop forcing things and let the game come to him.

 

[Messi10]

THIS IT GUYS! this biggest game of Lionel Messi's Career
The media are really in for him this time round. English Media already crowning Ronaldo "the greatest of all time"
He needs a big performance to change minds or to get back level