"He can play on the right, left, as a No.9, behind the striker, or even as a No.4! He is able to make the difference anywhere on the pitch." These are the words of former Argentina and Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino. YES..its is true!! Lionel messi just proved this season that he can play anywhere on the pitch.
Messi began his carrer as an inverted winger. The young messi lighted the right flank of Barca attack. In Guardiola era Barcelona game plan found a whole new dimension. The false-9 messi tore defences apart and smashed every record in the football book. When Enrique took charge in 2015 messi shifted himself to right wing so that the new signing suarez could play in his natural number 9 position. Messi with his intelligent movement and passing continued to find space and threatened opposition defense.
2017-18 season
Past years
Messi began his carrer as an inverted winger. The young messi lighted the right flank of Barca attack. In Guardiola era Barcelona game plan found a whole new dimension. The false-9 messi tore defences apart and smashed every record in the football book. When Enrique took charge in 2015 messi shifted himself to right wing so that the new signing suarez could play in his natural number 9 position. Messi with his intelligent movement and passing continued to find space and threatened opposition defense.
2017-18 season
After the sudden departure of Neymar jr to PSG barca lost a vital attack option. Ageing Iniesta and lack of creativity in the renowned Barca midfield added to the misery. After Madrids dominating win in the super copa, many pointed that the barcelona era is over and it is going to be one of the dreadful season in the past years. This season we have seen a whole new leo messi. The worlds greatest player delivered once again. Operated from the middle of the pitch, created chances and actively scored goals to hand over barca their 7th laliga title in 10 years. The argentine number 10 inspired barca to win the domestic double and la pulga finished the season bagging the golden boot for the record 5th time.
The adjustment in Leo's game style has been vital in barca's performance.
Messi's season heat map clearly shows where he played in the pitch and obviously it looks like that of a midfield player. And yeah!! with Messi everything is possible. The center shift gave Messi enough freedom to read the game. Under Valvarde, suarez shifted to left of the attack which resembles what Villa did in his span at Catalan capital. The center shift Valvarde made in Messi's game plan was very fruitful. Operating from behind the attack, Messi's defensive contribution and link up with the players throughout the pitch increased exponentially.
Messi's number's this season are completely insane. He tops in every aspect of the game, such as goal scoring, assisting, chance creation and of-course dribbling. Another big attribute Messi did improved is that his long ranger's and free-kick's. Messi began to take chances' whenever he saw the slightest of space. Messi scored 8 goals from outside the box in Laliga this season. He also scored 6 direct free-kick's and is surely the best free-kick taker in the planet right now. His connection with Jordi alba this season is out of world. They seem's to have telepathic understanding between them. Messi's presence in the field is enormous, that Barca seems to struggle when he is not in the show.
what's next?
Next season we could see the better of Messi as Coutinho and Dembele completely integrated to the squad. Most importantly with the arrival of Greizmann, Messi could lift some burden away from him. As i said, next season is surely going to be one of the best season for both Leo and Barca.
The fact is that Messi's game is beyond writing, beyond imagination. We cannot describe him. Its a joy to watch him. He brings smile to the 3.5 billion football fans around the globe every time he paints the arena with his magical left foot. Aloha!! we are blessed.. blessed enough to watch this magician week in and out.
The adjustment in Leo's game style has been vital in barca's performance.
Messi's number's this season are completely insane. He tops in every aspect of the game, such as goal scoring, assisting, chance creation and of-course dribbling. Another big attribute Messi did improved is that his long ranger's and free-kick's. Messi began to take chances' whenever he saw the slightest of space. Messi scored 8 goals from outside the box in Laliga this season. He also scored 6 direct free-kick's and is surely the best free-kick taker in the planet right now. His connection with Jordi alba this season is out of world. They seem's to have telepathic understanding between them. Messi's presence in the field is enormous, that Barca seems to struggle when he is not in the show.
what's next?
Next season we could see the better of Messi as Coutinho and Dembele completely integrated to the squad. Most importantly with the arrival of Greizmann, Messi could lift some burden away from him. As i said, next season is surely going to be one of the best season for both Leo and Barca.
The fact is that Messi's game is beyond writing, beyond imagination. We cannot describe him. Its a joy to watch him. He brings smile to the 3.5 billion football fans around the globe every time he paints the arena with his magical left foot. Aloha!! we are blessed.. blessed enough to watch this magician week in and out.
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