Andrew___K
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 20 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 3,802
Messi barely defends. It's a fact. He's allowed to be a passenger and walk when the team loses the ball. He's the worst 'big name' forward in Europe in terms of distance covered. It has to be compensated by his teammates, you can't press purely 'by intelligence'.Argentinian prima donna.
You've got some nerve to talk about the GOAT like that lol. Messi doesn't have to run around like a donkey for 90 minutes because he's more than intelligent enough to know when and when not to press. Pep has literally said you can't coach Messi because there's hardly anything he doesn't already know.
Messi makes the difference on the ball, off the ball he's atrocious nowadays.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5962071/barcelona-lionel-messi-run-least-champions-league/
http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/12/25/5a415a3322601d2e508b45e0.html
Compare it with the times when Messi could make 3-4 interceptions in a half under Guardiola. He's never had a good stamina, but the positional system Pep designed allowed him to make a very good defensive contribution.
For me personally, the most impressive Barcelona team post-2015 treble is the one when Messi was injured for several months, and Suarez-Neymar pair played upfront, with all the team working hard as a unit. Messi is still the world's best with the ball. But his presence makes the team worse in defence.
Neymar, on the other hand, doesn't have this weakness. He's unique in his blend of skills, athleticism and desire to work hard for the team.