Lionel Messi - Performances

IFC 1905 said:
Sorry but I don't agree. He was phenomenal. He was having the best season of his career. And for me, it's a fact that if he remained with the team and played the final, the WC would had been ours.

after that tournment he started to play....terrible.
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He was having the best season of his career, club wise. He was dire for Argentina aside from 1 goal (and even in that game he was poor otherwise).

Would you have won it if he'd stayed fit? Yeah maybe, if he recaptured his Madrid form. At his current form at the time, he'd have made no difference.
 
Bob Loblaw said:
Why the bloody feck would Messi want a manager who he had his worst season under, and who froze him out of games with his shit tactics? He's not an idiot.

@IFC 1905 - Di María was absolutely tragic at the World Cup. I'd struggle to say he was Argentina's 10th best player at it, never mind 1st for crying out loud!
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He wasn't their best player, but didn't he have a crucial assist/goal along the way?
 
adexkola said:
He wasn't their best player, but didn't he have a crucial assist/goal along the way?
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He scored the late winner vs the Swiss in the round of 16. Messi provided the assist.

I also think Di Maria was dire at the WC. Wasn't he dispossessed an abnormal amount in 1 game? Might have been the game vs the Swiss actually.
 
Bob Loblaw said:
He was having the best season of his career, club wise. He was dire for Argentina aside from 1 goal (and even in that game he was poor otherwise).

Would you have won it if he'd stayed fit? Yeah maybe, if he recaptured his Madrid form. At his current form at the time, he'd have made no difference.
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His Madrid form? During the WC he was actually with the Madrid form. He did pretty well. I'm not saying he scored or assisted apart from the Switzerland game, but football is not only that. Maybe I'm crazy, as many argentinians who considered him the best for us at the WC in the KO stages.

We'll never agreed so I'll leave it like that.
 
Nah Di Maria was dire at the WC. The myth that he had a great WC somehow emerged on here after United had signed him, along with him suddenly being the third best player in the world at that point.
 
IFC 1905 said:
There is no way he'll play for that game.

I believe Messi will make the effort to play for Argentina, and even if Barcelona doesn't like this, they'll have to let him play if he wants. At least going as a sub and have a couple minutes.

Messi had this kind of trouble back in 2008, although there was no injuries related back then. Barcelona had to play the UCL qualifiers and Argentina had to play the Olympics. Messi wanted to play with Argentina and the thing got tense..until Guardiola gave him permission
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Well it appears he won't be playing for Argentina against Brazil or Colombia. Good news.
 
According to Sport, he won't be able to make it to the Clasico.

Didn't progress as expected, still hasn't started running yet. Better than being rushed into a game where he might get injured again I guess.
 
Brown Toothpick said:
According to Sport, he won't be able to make it to the Clasico.

Didn't progress as expected, still hasn't started running yet. Better than being rushed into a game where he might get injured again I guess.
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Hopefully mind games :(

Be interesting to see who Ramos and co disgracefully assault in the absence of Messi.
 
Eddy_JukeZ said:
He scored the late winner vs the Swiss in the round of 16. Messi provided the assist.

I also think Di Maria was dire at the WC. Wasn't he dispossessed an abnormal amount in 1 game? Might have been the game vs the Swiss actually.
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Yes. It was probably the worst individual performance of any player in the tournament. He was atrocious.
 
Pink Moon said:
Hopefully mind games :(

Be interesting to see who Ramos and co disgracefully assault in the absence of Messi.
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Nah, I was against playing him straight away coming off a knee injury. I'd rather Lucho plays Iniesta or a 4th midfielder than start Munir or Sandro.

Neymar probably.
 
Speaking about Lionel Messi Performances, What's your top 3? I think that's such a hard question..

For me:

1- Vs Zaragoza (2010) just incredible, the best player ever right there, winning a game on his own



2- Vs Arsenal (2010) for me, 2010-11 was Messi's best individual season. He smashed Arsenal with 4 goals.



3- Vs Ecuador (2012) I think this is one of the best -if not the best- Messi performance with Argentina. And for the record, I was there :cool::cool::cool::drool::drool:

 
A couple of games vs Madrid should get in there.
 
That goal against Madrid in the CL semi final was ridiculous. Playing against your biggest rivals, he just runs right past the defence like it's some training ground session. Like someone playing PES on ameteur.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
That goal against Madrid in the CL semi final was ridiculous. Playing against your biggest rivals, he just runs right past the defence like it's some training ground session. Like someone playing PES on ameteur.
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And fans from a certain other player keep ignoring those monstrous goals from Messi which haven't been repeated after by other players.
 
VorZakone said:
And fans from a certain other player keep ignoring those monstrous goals from Messi which haven't been repeated after by other players.
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Best ignoring that. Not really a comparison to be made. Both great players, painful and pointless comparison.
 
My question was about Messi's best games, for me the goal vs Madrid is one of the TOP 5 best UCL goals, but for example I think he was better vs Man City dominating them the whole match.
 
I loved that Zaragoza match, especially when he gave the pk to a struggling Zlatan. Absolutely unplayable
 
I thought the bump will be about how he's now available for the Clasico. Still don't wanna see him on the pitch, especially if we're winning (fingers crossed). Not worth the risk.

As for his best performances, really tough question. But last year he was on a mission in the big games. The game against Bayern and both City games were some of his most complete performances ever. He did everything in them. He even appeared in the press conference for the first time in 2 years, against his former coach in a very memorable night.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
That goal against Madrid in the CL semi final was ridiculous. Playing against your biggest rivals, he just runs right past the defence like it's some training ground session. Like someone playing PES on ameteur.
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This one here.
 
performance against City is up there with the best, he was taking the piss all night....
 
That City matches last season was also majestic & showed a completely different skill set - especially at the Etihad, where he almost played as a midfielder. Pity about missing that pen.
 
Messi's best goal was probably the one he scored vs Getafe in 2007. Perhaps his game vs Madrid in 2014 was his best ever performance. He was excellent in that game. He created lots of opportunities for his teammates and went on lots of great dribbles. He was immense and his hattrick was just the icing on the cake. Even if he didn't score during that game, he was still by far the best player on the pitch. It's not often that a player scores a hattrick with the hattrick not being the most impressive thing about their performance but that was certainly the case with Messi in that game.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
That goal against Madrid in the CL semi final was ridiculous. Playing against your biggest rivals, he just runs right past the defence like it's some training ground session. Like someone playing PES on ameteur.
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That was when Real Madrid were very physical on him and he was very good too. It was an amazing goal. Last night I watched a La Liga classico, at his physical best he was a monster Messi. More impressive physically impressive in the way he absorbed contacts and protected the ball than Ronaldo.
 
Sometimes I wonder if the ball is literally glued to his feet, the guy avoids tackles from multiple players like I've never seen before. Absolutely insane close control of the ball. I wish I could see him play in real life to fully appreciate the once-in-a-lifetime talent he has.
 
kouroux said:
That was when Real Madrid were very physical on him and he was very good too. It was an amazing goal. Last night I watched a La Liga classico, at his physical best he was a monster Messi. More impressive physically impressive in the way he absorbed contacts and protected the ball than Ronaldo.
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Ronaldo isn't the person to compare him to in that respect, as there is a world of difference. Ronaldo's "physical" presence, is more about being a physical presence in the box, jumping higher than others, and athleticism, rather than about being able to deal with five defenders trying to hack him, all unable to knock off this little guy.

But you're right, on the ball, peak condition Messi is definitely one of the toughest players I've ever seen. Although one does wonder if others would be tougher knowing they're so much better on the ball than anyone else. It has to be easier knowing everyone is reacting to what you're doing and hence always being a few steps ahead.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
Ronaldo isn't the person to compare him to in that respect, as there is a world of difference. Ronaldo's "physical" presence, is more about being a physical presence in the box, jumping higher than others, and athleticism, rather than about being able to deal with five defenders trying to hack him, all unable to knock off this little guy.

But you're right, on the ball, peak condition Messi is definitely one of the toughest players I've ever seen. Although one does wonder if others would be tougher knowing they're so much better on the ball than anyone else. It has to be easier knowing everyone is reacting to what you're doing and hence always being a few steps ahead.
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It's not a direct comparison, I just appreciate more Messi type physicality than a guy who jumps high and shoots hard.
 
Raul Madrid said:
Messi's best goal was probably the one he scored vs Getafe in 2007. Perhaps his game vs Madrid in 2014 was his best ever performance. He was excellent in that game. He created lots of opportunities for his teammates and went on lots of great dribbles. He was immense and his hattrick was just the icing on the cake. Even if he didn't score during that game, he was still by far the best player on the pitch. It's not often that a player scores a hattrick with the hattrick not being the most impressive thing about their performance but that was certainly the case with Messi in that game.
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That Getafe goal is historical, but for me the one against Bilbao at the Copa del Rey final is just above everything. Not only because Messi didn't do that kind of run in a long time and some thought he couldn't do it anymore, but because in 2015 Messi is one of the best players of all time (the best IMO) and everyone knows him and how he plays. Every manager studies the way to stop him, Balenciaga (the man who was supposed to follow him the entire night) also had to study him, and yet you can't do nothing about it. To think that is just stunning.
 
IFC 1905 said:
That Getafe goal is historical, but for me the one against Bilbao at the Copa del Rey final is just above everything. Not only because Messi didn't do that kind of run in a long time and some thought he couldn't do it anymore, but because in 2015 Messi is one of the best players of all time (the best IMO) and everyone knows him and how he plays. Every manager studies the way to stop him, Balenciaga (the man who was supposed to follow him the entire night) also had to study him, and yet you can't do nothing about it. To think that is just stunning.
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Real Madrid apparently 'studied' Lewandowski as well when he bagged in 4 goals. Studying players is nonsense IMO, biology beats studying on the pitch. Messi's biological advantages (his talent) ensures that he will beat players with skill on a regular basis, it doesn't matter how much you study him when your players from a biological sense of view can't touch him.
 
Well that's your opinion. We're not sure if Madrid studied Lewandowsky. But Messi is a guy you study before a match for sure, because he always plays the same style. . Mourinho said he spent hours trying to think how to stop Messi.
I think it can be useful to study some players, to know their movements, to know how they might feel uncomfortable inside the field.
 
I think poster was referring to manmarking which often works for most. Rare you see it against Leo anymore but I applaud those who try
 
VorZakone said:
Real Madrid apparently 'studied' Lewandowski as well when he bagged in 4 goals. Studying players is nonsense IMO, biology beats studying on the pitch. Messi's biological advantages (his talent) ensures that he will beat players with skill on a regular basis, it doesn't matter how much you study him when your players from a biological sense of view can't touch him.
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Absolute rubbish. By that logic defenders and coaches should just bend over (we did that in our finals with Barcelona, but that's a different matter).
 
IFC 1905 said:
Well that's your opinion. We're not sure if Madrid studied Lewandowsky. But Messi is a guy you study before a match for sure, because he always plays the same style. . Mourinho said he spent hours trying to think how to stop Messi.
I think it can be useful to study some players, to know their movements, to know how they might feel uncomfortable inside the field.
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Any player (or sportsman/women) who doesn't take time to study their oponent, whether that be the opposition striker, or the oposition fullback/center back or CM, is a lemon.
 
IFC 1905 said:
Speaking about Lionel Messi Performances, What's your top 3? I think that's such a hard question..
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For Argentina the WC qualifier against Uruguay IMO:



That was also his best year at intl. level after Sabella took over. He scored 12 goals for Argentina in 2012.

A lot harder to choose a game at club level. I mean the goal and performance against Zaragoza is top notch of course but at the end of the day it's Zaragoza. For me it has to be one of the Clasicos or a CL knockout game. Really really hard to choose though. Might very well be against Bayern last season. Scoring from outside the box against the best keeper in the world, then moments later macking a mockery of one of the best centerbacks in the world and chipping the 6'4 tall Neuer with his weaker foot, then assisting the 3th and generally dominating the game.

 
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