10 - Lionel Messi - V6

[FCBfan22]

He lost a step in speed, but his footballing intelligence has improved. So, can we really consider that a decline?

No we can't. Because while he lost something, he gained in other areas. Maybe some people see this as decline, because he doesn't go on those solo runs anymore... But he is still very capable of dribbling 2 or 3 players. Just not half of the team.

 

[FCB1987]

If Messi was still playing in Pep's Barca, I think he would be as good as ever because he seems more clinical and better in his decision making now even if he's lost a bit of pace and dribbling. The "decline" is more limited to tougher matches where his loss of pace/dribbling combined with worse teammates and him being rather static off the ball takes a bit of a toll.

If you go back to when Messi destroyed RM in 2017 in the 3-2, he was all over the field making runs and getting involved. It's impossible to play that well every match, but him at least showing similar effort and movement in the big CL matches would go a long way.

 

[Ripsta]

Messi's a better player than he was in 2010, the team around him was far superior back then, allowed him to run riot in the false 9 role. He may have lost a bit of speed, but refined his game in almost every other aspect. He's the ultimate attacking footballer.

 

[DonAK]

Messi won't play for Argentina for the rest of the year.

http://mundoalbiceleste.com/2018/09/19/lionel-messi-not-argentina-squad/

 

[soul24rage]

if that's true then its good news for him, Barca and Argentina

 

[FCBfan22]

Great. Our schedule in October is hectic enough.

 

[Ritchie]

The logical thing would be to rest him more often in easy/pointless matches so he can go all out come april rather than be burned out.

Burns himself out in the Copa del ray every jan-Feb while Ronaldo had his feet up.

If he sits the Copa and interationals out he'll stay fresh. Whether that'd stop us getting overpowered by City or Liverpool or one of the better CL sides is another matter. we just about beat Chelsea purely due to a Messi masterclass in last 16. We will.need one every round to have a chance at the trophy and a ballon dor for Messi.

 

[Pedro]

[tw]1042500793608429568[/tw]

Good signs for Leo

 

[Laplacian]

I think his decline should be looked in different areas.

-Passing: Improved
-Finishing: Same
-Free kicks: Improved
-Speed: Declined
-Acceleration: Declined
-Dribbling: Declined very slightly, probably because the loss of some acceleration

So, while he is declining in some areas, he is still improving in others. While he is no more an one man army as he used to be, he is as deadly as ever for opponent's goal.

Almost always when people refer to "decline" they're referring to physical ability, because things like intelligence and technique rarely experience decline. Messi is nowhere near as explosive as he was when he was younger, and to me his explosiveness was a huge part of his footballing identity.

 

[DonAK]

Why is such a big deal made out of it? Every player faces a physical decline once they enter their late 20s, 30s.

 

[Joan]

The point is that he changes his footballing identity. Carrying out a transition. Better or worse? Wouldn't go there.

 

[FCB1987]

Salah struggling, Ronaldo suspended and struggling

Ballon d'Or time for Leo?

 

[Pedro]

Salah struggling, Ronaldo suspended and struggling

Ballon d'Or time for Leo?

Let's hope so.

 

[FCB1987]

how long is Ronaldo suspended?

 

[Pedro]

how long is Ronaldo suspended?

Might be reduced to 1 game if they appeal, hopefully 3 though.