Alik
Moderator
What normal player his age plays 90 minutes twice a week and at Messi's level of output?
Lionel Messi - v7
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
What normal player his age plays 90 minutes twice a week and at Messi's level of output?
KingLeo10
Senior Member
Not to mention he's already played 900 international games, scored ~700 goals and given ~300 assists.
It's one thing to say he is declining (for his standards which is normal given he is approaching 33) but another altogether to claim he has lesser longevity compared to 'normal' players.
The point is his rate of decline, I don't think we'll see him going strong at 34 like say Iniesta.
ebc_99
Active member
Why is it when Messi is out of form so many people say he is on the decline? He has 24 goals in 31 games, top scorer and top assister in Spain having missed the first 2 months. He has the responsibility of starting the attacks and finishing them almost every game without much help. I can't think of any player who would play as well as Messi in the circumstances.
KingLeo10
Senior Member
Iniesta was finished by 2015/16. He was one of the reasons along with Busquets and Rakitic why we got absolutely canned in away CL games.
henias
New member
Wth? No. Iniesta still provided loads of key passes and created chances which is what we are missing today. Not to mention his ability to dribble and move into spaces was vital, as well as his quick thinking and creativity, which helped Barcelona unlocked many defences. He probably wasnt as good as his prime but he still proved to be absolutely vital in the CL (Chelsea, Roma, Juventus, Atletico).
Enrique didnt rotate the front 3 enough, wanted the unbeaten streak and that's when we even lost a few league games like Liverpool did. The whole MSN didnt play well so you cannot expect the midfield to perform. Neymar kept playing that deep role so it didnt help either. Playing Gomes in some games proved to be a huge mistake too, (missed too many chances.)
Come 18/19, Messi was doing the job of a attacking mid and a second striker. He created literally almost every goal or was the one to score it. Alot people say that Suarez was useless in the setup, but analyse the match, Suarez provided alot of threat and created alot of space for Messi to run into and score. Opponents were marking Luis because of how powerful and and dangerous his shots are. Somehow both complemented each other which is why Messi had an easier time doing the job of two men.
We got humiliated because valverde opted for less attacking options even when we had a winger then, and kept the 4 men midfield which didnt help when we tried to go forward.
Yall just here just thinking he's old and slow so he's definitely bad, when in fact he is actually better than many of the attackers signed by Bartomeu nowadays. I reckon even Iniesta will still proved to be useful till this especially looking at the state of Barca this days. Only Messi is creating and the rest is looking futile. You can have the legs to run all game but if you cannot do shit with the ball you are practically useless as well. (Griezmann for example)
Iniesta was still very much a crucial player then.
We've got absolutely canned even worse since.
Mitchell1978
Senior Member
Messi last season at age 31 was the best season for a player aged 30 or more that i witnessed.
It wasn't very realistic to expect him to repeat that season with no preseason and the injury the first 2 months.
Still his longevity, durabilty, productivity and consistency for me are unmatched in football. (some players maybe match the first 2 aspects but not all of them).
It wasn't very realistic to expect him to repeat that season with no preseason and the injury the first 2 months.
Still his longevity, durabilty, productivity and consistency for me are unmatched in football. (some players maybe match the first 2 aspects but not all of them).
BBZ8800
Senior Member
I am a pessimist, but still:
A match against Sociedad or a match against Mallorca (if it will be played at all), in some horror scenario could be a last Messi's match for Barca.
This season will be canceled in the next 1-4 days. CL also.
If we won't win against virus and if it will stay among people for Months, who knows when will football be played again.
A match against Sociedad or a match against Mallorca (if it will be played at all), in some horror scenario could be a last Messi's match for Barca.
This season will be canceled in the next 1-4 days. CL also.
If we won't win against virus and if it will stay among people for Months, who knows when will football be played again.
Blaugrana Bull
HiiiPoWeR
You should relax a bit.
Pedro
La Masia
Let's hope Leo scores against Coronavirus
Hardy
Senior Member
lmao
Alik
Moderator
Marie-Antoinette
Banned
I want to enjoy him and his football so much as long as he is there. Nobody can call him out on his decline, it has to happen. Now this virus. Alright, he and all of us are better safe at home. But I hope his last match wasn't his season's last match. He's going on his 33.
Seriously he got 2 seasons more with Barça I hope.
Seriously he got 2 seasons more with Barça I hope.
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