Lionel Messi - v7

[Tackle]

It's not the lack of sharpness I'm so worried about, it's the apparent lack of joy he looks to take in playing football these days.

It is normal. Especially considering the fact he was never all that obsessive to begin with and has likely come to the realization that the better part of his career is done with. That does not mean he is going to stop being the best in the world anytime soon, but just look at the bloke:

He looks 10 years older now than he did 2-3 years ago. He has also has a family and has already proven everything at club level. You cannot expect the same enthusiasm from him that he had at 22 anymore.

 

[MagIX]

he has finally to cut off his fucking beard

 

[Aryagorn]

he has finally decided to cut off his fucking beard

Really?

 

[hulinat]

ye leo's is a funny cat. got old and had kids, priorities change

 

[Messigician]

Beard has to go. Bad luck beard sucks

 

[BusiTheKing]

I get that being on the downswing of his career and having kids changes your priorities, which means you might not be in perfect shape and fully concentrated, but there's something else too.

The lack of joy must be the toll of immense responsibility and pressure.

If we had a coach with the slightest psychological insight, he would put the armband on Pique and tell Messi to start working defensively. It's clear that Messi feels the pressure to have double the impact offensively because he doesn't contribute defensively. That sort of thinking leads to overthinking and performance anxiety + it undermines the feeling of solidarity, team spirit.

 

[eaman]

What are ye all on about with the lack of joy. He still looked very happy when he scored or assisted in the last few games. It's not like he ever walked around with a ronaldinho grin on his face before this season. He looks the same to me

 

[bismp]

He looks 10 years older now than he did 2-3 years ago. He has also has a family and has already proven everything at club level. You cannot expect the same enthusiasm from him that he had at 22 anymore.

Well,to be fair,this haircut doesn’t do him any favors.Look at this photo from last year:


He looks like it’s 2015 with a beard.

 

[Messigician]

Yet there's some who still beleive Messi won't win his 6th Ballon Dor Lmao

 

[Hardy]

Yet there's some who still beleive Messi won't win his 6th Ballon Dor Lmao

those dudes don't vote for ballon d'or though

 

[raskolnikov]

Bookies usually have it right with these type of things.
Messi lost the ballon d’or the day barca choked another lead.
Maybe if he was on a 2013 type streak now instead of injured or won copa america ot could have made a difference. smug journalists thinking they are more important than they are determine the outcome.
If you agree its bullshit we should not care to be honest.

 

[Messigician]

I will be here to remind the doubters when Messi wins his Ballon D'or

 

[JerseyAddict]

I will be here to remind the doubters when Messi wins his Ballon D'or

I think the VVD team will preveal. CL and shit... It wasalways like that. CL winner and shit.

 

[Andresito]

I will be here to remind the doubters when Messi wins his Ballon D'or

Relax, he won't win.

 

[Respekt_III]

I will be here to remind the doubters when Messi wins his Ballon D'or

Just like you were here to remind us of neymar comin... oh wait.

Remember last time round Messi being the 5th BPITW? yeah....