Lionel Messi could hire an additional scoring record in La Liga in the Clasico at the weekend. In this meeting it is no longer so important, the 27-year-old invents new just as playmaker.
The 16-year-old boy stands on the sidelines and waiting with a straight face waiting to be loaded. Alternately, he shifts the weight from one leg to the other, during the eleven years older superstar Deco saunters off the field to make room for him. That was written in that moment, on 16 October 2004 in the 82nd minute of the game between Barcelona and Espanyol football history, took almost imperceptible.
Making its debut Lionel Messi was the third-youngest player in the club’s history, played for the first team of FC Barcelona. From the present could only imagine how good the Argentines would be one who looked closely at that day a little over ten years. The small steps, the speed with which he led at that time the ball at his feet: They shape since the football.
250 times Messi in La Liga so far taken, and when he travels with Barça this Saturday for the Clásico at Real Madrid , he can set the all-time record of Telmo Zarra, of 251 goals for Athletic Bilbao had shot, 1940-1955.
April 2007: Messi is in Barcelona long been regulars on the right wing, from where he intended to seek the way to the center and finish with his strong left foot. The role, which has been allotted to him by coach Frank Rijkaard, a bit reminiscent of the current play of Arjen Robben. In the Cup match against Getafe Messi succeeds as the most spectacular goal of his career.
Right in their own half of the field he receives a pass from Xavi, immediately stands him an opponent on the feet and fouls. But Messi does not crash, he dribbles off. With the ball he is faster than his opponent, he hops on a slide tackle, umtänzelt defender and goalkeeper, true. The opponent only stare each other, then Messi, his teammates seem clueless. Samuel Eto’o holds on with both hands to his head, the fans at the stadium chanting the name of the scorer again and again, even the TV commentator joins: Messi, Messi, Meeessi. “I’ve seen goals from Pele, Maradona and Ronaldo, but this was the most perfect day,” says behind teammate Deco.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona El Clasico:Messi cracked record by record
Since then many, many goals added. The scoring record, the four-time World Player could crack on Saturday, would be just another record Messi, who recounted his 27 years with the history of football. For all the records that Messi has surpassed, had been drawn up by just those who shaped the sport for decades: Gerd Müller, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ronaldinho. The little boy from the Argentine Rosario has passed them by.
Together with his former Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola, he has perfected the role of the receding striker, who only enters the box, as soon as he gets in. In the Clásico against Real in 2009 Messi shines for the first time on the big stage as a “false nine”. In his book “Mr. Guardiola” the author describes Martí Perarnau, as coaches and players on the evening before the game the plan work out together: “Leo, tomorrow in Madrid you will begin as always outside on my character you let yourself fall behind the midfielder. and move yourself between the opponent chains “Guardiola is quoted as saying.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona El Clasico:Messi is reinventing itself as a footballer
The plan works: 6: 2 wins Barça against the previously unconquered in 17 games Madrid, Messi strikes twice, prepares another goal. Since then, the role of the central offensive player belongs to him. But in recent months it has also increasingly seen another Messi on the pitch, he is now propagated from the deep, dosed his thrusts stronger. Goals he shoots while still, but his originals are become more important; in eight league games Messi has already delivered seven assists. It seems as if the Argentines inventive newly.
Perhaps this is a reaction to the fact that opposing teams tried to isolate Messi on the pitch more and more of his team. Often still enough dribbling, Messi’s a genius moment, to free themselves from it. In big games it worked last but increasingly rare.
Through the commitments of 2013 and Neymar Luis Suárez, the first time is eligible to play on Saturday for Barça, the box also heard not only Messi. The two offensive players to free him from the burden of the gates firing, but at the same time open his premises, because opposing defenses are now forced to do more than pay attention only to the Argentines. Messi is now the attacker and playmaker.
He was afraid to be a second Ronaldinho says one, knows the Messi from Barcelona. The Brazilian was for years the superior attacker of the team, but then experienced a sudden crash and kicking today in the Mexican first division Querétaro Fútbol Club.
There are people who say Messi is hell bent on winning. This makes a big difference to Ronaldinho. The two played football together at Barcelona earlier Tennis, the Brazilians wanted to have fun. He tricked the ball, held him up, conjured him over the net. Messi on the other hand always tried to place the ball there in the field, where it could not reach his opponent. He wanted to win.
A similar fate would be the worst possible scenario for Messi. Because: Messi embodies the football this time, but the football embodies him. One is not possible without the other. We asked the young Messi earlier if he had any other hobbies or preferences, he knew what to do with this question. What would that be please? No, only football and the family, nothing more.
In his native Argentina was not understood long, why Messi did not show the same performance as in Barcelona in the national team, the great affection he denied there remains to this day. But Messi’s problem was and is that he is a Barca player through and through, since he was trained with 13 years in the club’s own football academy La Masia. It is difficult for him to adjust to a different system. Also why it is noteworthy that Messi now begins to change his game.
The development may also be related to a vacancy that has arisen in the Barça-structure, since the aging Xavi, has 34, lost its power strength. It is probably no coincidence that Messi moves there, where the former Barcelona brain for years worked: the center of the field. Messi has become more mature. He wants to take the leadership role, and it works better if he does not have to solely concentrate on scoring goals. He could in future find a mix of his and the role Xavis.
It would be the Barcelona of the present and the future, with a Messi, who combines both.
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