Best final delivery in the game. That's only from last season. Can't wait to watch him again on Monday.
Jordi Alba should score/assist a truckload this coming season.
Lionel Messi
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Jordi Alba should score/assist a truckload this coming season.
There are a lot of legendary anecdotes from their time together as teammates that aren't common knowledge...simply adds to the mythical bond they shared...I believe he was the only player Leo was ever in awe of as a competitor, Messi really looked up to Ronaldinho
Leo talks about the thorn of losing to Chelsea, meanwhile I can't get rid of the thorn of not feeling cheated they didn't get to play more together...mostly I resent Ronnie for it
Leo talks about the thorn of losing to Chelsea, meanwhile I can't get rid of the thorn of not feeling cheated they didn't get to play more together...mostly I resent Ronnie for it
I'm don't like how messi has looked for Barcelona at the start of the season.
He remains a deadly finisher and an expert passer but he has not once played like messi usually does. In the newbies I once argued extensively how Messi's body shape last season was not as good as the year before that and he had seemed to lose a little bit of his agility. Now I didn't mean that there was a big difference in his dribbling ability as some might have thought, rather what I was saying that although the difference was minuscule it was still noticeable to me. I felt that it was in the 10/11 season that messi achieved the best balance for his top heaviness and agility.
This season he seems even more top heavy than last season, it might be early season shape or he might even score more goals yet I believe he won't be a better player. I hope he can achieve that perfect balance between strength and agility, the difference last season was minuscule and this season it's a bit more noticeable. He is a far more intelligent player and by far the best in the world but not in the optimum body shape.
I always thought messi at a younger age was a little bit moe agile and faster than Maradona, but Maradona's body shape at the age he is now was more optimum imo.
I hope people read and understand what I mean exactly.
He remains a deadly finisher and an expert passer but he has not once played like messi usually does. In the newbies I once argued extensively how Messi's body shape last season was not as good as the year before that and he had seemed to lose a little bit of his agility. Now I didn't mean that there was a big difference in his dribbling ability as some might have thought, rather what I was saying that although the difference was minuscule it was still noticeable to me. I felt that it was in the 10/11 season that messi achieved the best balance for his top heaviness and agility.
This season he seems even more top heavy than last season, it might be early season shape or he might even score more goals yet I believe he won't be a better player. I hope he can achieve that perfect balance between strength and agility, the difference last season was minuscule and this season it's a bit more noticeable. He is a far more intelligent player and by far the best in the world but not in the optimum body shape.
I always thought messi at a younger age was a little bit moe agile and faster than Maradona, but Maradona's body shape at the age he is now was more optimum imo.
I hope people read and understand what I mean exactly.
I think the difference in him at the moment is actually more noticeable than you make out. More hesitant on the edge of the area, a bit less confident with his dribbling (still quality), not quite as consistent with his close control surrounded by players, not quite as good with his playmaking, etc...
It's the worst I've seen his overall game in a technical sense since he's broke out onto the scene, in my opinion (or at least in about 5 years). He's obviously still amazing, but he's looked different this year.
It's the worst I've seen his overall game in a technical sense since he's broke out onto the scene, in my opinion (or at least in about 5 years). He's obviously still amazing, but he's looked different this year.
He looked different to me last year also but as you say this year he looks more heavier and less agile.
Yeah, there has been a pretty gradual, yet constant evolution throughout the last few seasons. It's probably something to do with the fact that Barcelona are so reliant on him to score and all.
I tend to agree with the above.
When hes crowded out you're used to seeing him still dribble his way out of tight spaces. Recently he's been a little slow in trying to 'escape' and has been dispossessed much easier. Think hes looked a little bit laboured in general. As they said though, still ruthless in front of goal and still producing the killer passes
When hes crowded out you're used to seeing him still dribble his way out of tight spaces. Recently he's been a little slow in trying to 'escape' and has been dispossessed much easier. Think hes looked a little bit laboured in general. As they said though, still ruthless in front of goal and still producing the killer passes
That's always the big risk for players like Messi (& he who must not be named!) when they "peak" (not that I'm thinking their performances cannot or will not improve!) that early in their careers!
To maintain or even improve on previous seasons, it must be a constant battle trying to evolve and add another dimension to your game.
For the sake of entertainment, let's hope it's just a bit of temporary early season jitters.
To maintain or even improve on previous seasons, it must be a constant battle trying to evolve and add another dimension to your game.
For the sake of entertainment, let's hope it's just a bit of temporary early season jitters.
One of the rare glimpses into Leo, interview courtesy of Luis Martin over at El Pais
My good luck is having landed in this Barça
The Argentine, 25 years of age, who expects the arrival of his first child in about a month, recaps his career at Barcelona and his challenges for the future.
Leo Messi met journalists at 9 am at the sports city in Barcelona and he arrives with extreme punctuality. The sun is warm and the footballer has the tendency to get cold so the members of the Club’s press team offer him a jacket that he rejects, “I’m fine”.
25 years old, the Argentine from Rosario expects in about a month the birth of his first son, Thiago, and he looks happy. Besides the time, he doesn’t ask for anything else in order to give the interview. Kind, smiling and willing to explain himself if needed, he doesn’t keep anything when he answers, convinced that being before the press is a demand he could do with out but is manageable.
Q: They say you love to sleep, but you arrived here at 8:30. Are you getting ready to lose your sleep when Thiago arrives?
Lionel: I’ve always loved to sleep, but I keep sleeping less and less. I do love to nap, though. For Thiago’s arrival I’m so ready. I’m so looking forward to it.
Q: Clearly, you learned that nap thing here in Barcelona…
A: I learned everything here! I arrived here when I was 13 years old, I grew up here, I went to school… Most of the stuff I know I learned here in Barcelona. I’ve always said I’m very grateful because I truly feel it.
Q: Do you feel you’ve given back to Barcelona even more than what you received when you were a kid?
A: No, I don’t know… I’ve always wanted to show my commitment to the club. At first, maybe it was more obvious. Now it’s the usual. This is my home, my club. I owe everything to Barça. And, I’ve always said it, I’m happy here.
Q: What does it mean that the youth team coach and two more kids from that team are working in the first team now?
A: It’s an example of how Barcelona works. Everybody knew that this team had one of the best generations in the youth academy. There are three players playing for the first team now [Piqué, Cesc and himself], but there are a lot who have become professional players in general, like Vázquez and Valiente, and they have already played in Spain. There are others playing for other teams too, but everybody knew that most of us will get far, maybe not in the first team, but at least to earn a living playing football for good clubs.
Q: You state that you don’t care how many goals you score, that you rather win titles. Is there anything that you especially care about?
A: Yes, I prefer to win titles with the team instead of individual awards or score more goals than anybody. I am more concerned about being a good person than being the world’s best player. Besides, in the end, when this is all over, what do you take with you? My intention is that, when I retire, everybody will remember me for being a good guy. I like to score goals, but also having friends among the people I played with [or against]. It’s good to be valued as a person, that they have a good impression of you, beyond scoring lots of goals.
Q: So you’re not worried about winning the fourth Ballon D’Or either?
A: The awards are fine. I’m grateful, of course. But, deep down, you [journalists, public] care more about it, you’re always asking is this player better than the other one. Xavi or Iniesta? Who knows? My good luck is having landed in this Barça, full of amazing players. They’ve given me everything: the awards, the titles, the goals, everything. This is a team that already made history for everything we won. I’m lucky to play here and play for Argentina, where I have amazing footballers by my side. That’s the most important thing. The teams make me better, for sure. Without the help of my team mates, I would be nothing, I wouldn’t win anything. No titles, no awards, nothing.
Q: What makes you angry?
A: I hate to lose. In life? In life, poverty. I come from a country where it’s glaring. There are very young kids who have no choice other than to go out onto the streets to ask for money or they have to work doing whatever they can and they are all very young.
Q: What about that famous bubble where all footballers live? Aren’t you oblivious to these mundane things?
A: No. How are you going to be oblivious to this! We’re privileged people for living the way we live. I never lacked anything when growing up, beyond of course missing my siblings and my mother when I had to stay here in Barcelona with just my dad. But the reality is very different. Lots of parents have to work very hard to give their children what they need…I know it.
Q: You’re going to be a dad. Has that changed the way you see things?
A: Yes, you start to think about everything in a different way. You don’t think about yourself anymore. You think about him, that he never has any kind of problem, anything. It does change the way you see things, of course.
Q: Speaking of change, have you practiced the whole diaper business?
A: I already went through it with my nephews. I’m an expert.
Q: You have a foundation to help children in need.
A: We focus on education, we try to get them out of the streets through education and sports. We work with Unicef, hospitals, schools…It’s nice to be able to help.
Q: Rarely do we see your face light up more than when a kid comes near you to say hello. What’s that about?
A: Children are the most precious thing in the world, especially when they’re little and there’s no evil in them. They see you and they transform. Some feel very embarrassed. They don’t speak, they don’t understand I’m there talking to them because they only see you on television and, when they see you right in front of them, they almost freak out. Making a kid happy is what makes me feel best.
Q: Kids and adults try to get near you… Fame puts you in the spotlight all the time. Is it tiring?
A: No because I’m not faking it in any moment. I am the way I am on and off the pitch. That’s why I’m never worried about being watched because I’m always the same. I’m always myself. It’s been a long time since I’m well known and the embarrasment you felt in the beginning is long gone.
Q: You said once that on the pitch it is more difficult to play the way Iniesta or Xavi do it than playing the way you do. Is what you do easy?
A: I do what I can to help the team and I wouldn’t know how to do what they do. I just try to help the team, always. I don’t like losing at anything and I try to help the team to win. I’ve always said: I go out thinking about winning, not about scoring lots of goals.
Q: The way you play, can you train for it?
A: I don’t think so, I don’t know… Since I was little I played this way…
Q: That’s whay Tito Vilanova says.
A: What does he say?
Q: He says that, to his own surprise, you have been doing what you do since you were a kid, but now you do it against the best in the world, not 14 year-old kids.
A: My way of playing didn’t change much, it’s true, but I obviously learned a lot of things about the game. It helped that I came here to Barcelona and I worked in the way of the cantera and was taken care of. Just yesterday I was watching the seven year-old kids training right next to us, and the way they’re schooled is different than anywhere else in the world. Since you’re very young, they teach you how to play, to take care of the ball, tactics, to understand the game. And even though they are very young they already play the way we do! It never ceases to amaze me.
Q: They say that when you knew Tito would take over Pep Guardiola’s position, you just smiled, but that that smile made the whole club feel reassured.
A: Yes, it’s possible I smiled because it made me feel good to know that Tito would replace Pep. I have known him since I was a kid and we’ve now been five years together, with Pep and him. I thought that might be good. Look, Tito was the first coach that made me play because up until that moment I was either on the bench or not playing at all and it was him who made me a starter in that category [cadete]. I know him. He’s a very normal person, and open. He gets straight to the point, he says everything face to face with no problem. I like that.
Q: There were fights when you were cadetes, people say…
A: I can’t remember! [Laughs]. Surely there were some because it was a team with great people, but dangerous!
Q: Do you remember your first game in the cantera?
A: No, but I remember I injured my shinbone a little bit later.
Q: Is it true Piqué was always defending you when you were kicked?
A: Yes. He was already the tallest and we were all smaller. Dad was always there standing up for us.
Q: So did you all agree to become fathers so you could all go together to the park?
A: No! Pure coincidence. All at once [Piqué, Pedro, Villa and Valdes will have children too]. It’s a symptom we are all growing up and we have more responsibilities. A beautiful responsibility.
Q: Seeing you’re never satisfied with scoring just once, we can only assume you’ll have a big family, right? Are you going for a treble?
A: No, I don’t know…The more, the better. As many as they come!
Q: Another thing that amazes us is that is very difficult to make you fall and you never dive.
A: That’s another thing I have done since my childhood. It’s always been that way. I’ve always tried to finish the play. I don’t know…I’ve never been one to dive, I’ve never tried to do it.
Q: They say that you were the only player at the youth academy they never try to correct and they always respected your skills.
A: Sometimes they corrected me, but I can’t remember. They respected my way of playing, though here the philosophy is to stop with the first touch. But…I didn’t give the ball to anybody! Lots of times they told me to try to let the ball go until they realized I couldn’t do it so they let it go. But it’s true that, little by little, I tried to pass more. But when I first got here…I didn’t give the ball to anybody!
Q: Do you speak much on the pitch?
A: No, I don’t speak much [laughs].
Q: Your rivals and the refs wouldn’t agree with that…
A: Oh! With the refs and the rivals I speak more. With my team mates only what is needed. It’s been a long time since we play together that we just need a look in the eye.
Q: Ok, what about that fight with Villa? Didn’t you have a perfect dressing room?
A: I already told you to not look for problems where there are none, you better look the other way. There’s nothing there. We have a dressing room that works beyond the sports aspect, it’s spectacular. It’s been a long time since we are together, but it turns out the human aspect of the people in there is huge. You have no idea what a good time we have there. And after so many years, it’s not easy.
Q: Is that the best thing?
A: No, the best thing about this team is that we go out to play the games the same way we’ve played for the last five years, that we have the ball almost all the time, that it’s ours. And, above all that, the best thing about this team is the ambition and the hunger we have to keep on winning things. After everything we’ve won, you lose a game in training and you get upset. That’s the best thing: our ambition.
Q: Is that the way Pep showed you?
A: Yes, Pep showed us the way and we follow it. He was the one who made us play with the idea of taking the initiative, of always going for the goal. He gave us the attitude, he convinced us that by playing this way we will always win. It was spectacular. Beyond what he knows as a coach, he’s a phenomenon for the way he analyzed games and prepared for them. I don’t think there will ever be another coach like him.
Q: Rijkaard was the first one. Are you still angry about not having played the final in Paris?
A: I owe him practically everything. He was the one who trusted me, who gave me my debut when I was younger, who knew how to take me every step of the way. He knew when he had to leave me out and, even though I didn’t like it or get it in that moment, I understood it later. Everything that came after that was thanks to him.
Q: With Rijkaard you scored your first goal against Madrid. Well, three…
A: It was spectacular. We tied in the last minute, but it worked for us because we were in the first place and for how it happened… Later there were other goals but yes, those are unforgettable of course.
Q: What game against Madrid you remember the most?
A: I remember all the games we won. It’s the most beautiful thing, winning against Madrid, for what it means. It’s a great team. Maybe I’d choose the semifinal in Champions there, for what it meant.
Q: And also, scoring goals against Casillas. You don’t like him or what?
A: No, quite the opposite. I was lucky and I could score in these last clásicos. I hope to keep it that way. Iker is an amazing goalkeeper, one of the best. I’ve scored many goals, but he has also saved lots, lots. He’s very good, very fast.
Q: Are the games against Mourinho’s Madrid especially tough?
A: Every game is different. They’re always tough. Against Madrid, for what it means, for the talent of their players, it’s even tougher. But all games now are tougher. We couldn't score against Granada until the 85th minute, we almost lost against Spartak. Every time it’s more difficult. We want to attack and they defend with everything they can…We’ve been playing like this for a long time. The rivals know it and they look for the weak spot. If they get lucky with the counter attack, maybe Valdes won’t be able to save it and with very little they make things complicated for you. And it keeps getting worse, more complicated.
My good luck is having landed in this Barça
The Argentine, 25 years of age, who expects the arrival of his first child in about a month, recaps his career at Barcelona and his challenges for the future.
Leo Messi met journalists at 9 am at the sports city in Barcelona and he arrives with extreme punctuality. The sun is warm and the footballer has the tendency to get cold so the members of the Club’s press team offer him a jacket that he rejects, “I’m fine”.
25 years old, the Argentine from Rosario expects in about a month the birth of his first son, Thiago, and he looks happy. Besides the time, he doesn’t ask for anything else in order to give the interview. Kind, smiling and willing to explain himself if needed, he doesn’t keep anything when he answers, convinced that being before the press is a demand he could do with out but is manageable.
Q: They say you love to sleep, but you arrived here at 8:30. Are you getting ready to lose your sleep when Thiago arrives?
Lionel: I’ve always loved to sleep, but I keep sleeping less and less. I do love to nap, though. For Thiago’s arrival I’m so ready. I’m so looking forward to it.
Q: Clearly, you learned that nap thing here in Barcelona…
A: I learned everything here! I arrived here when I was 13 years old, I grew up here, I went to school… Most of the stuff I know I learned here in Barcelona. I’ve always said I’m very grateful because I truly feel it.
Q: Do you feel you’ve given back to Barcelona even more than what you received when you were a kid?
A: No, I don’t know… I’ve always wanted to show my commitment to the club. At first, maybe it was more obvious. Now it’s the usual. This is my home, my club. I owe everything to Barça. And, I’ve always said it, I’m happy here.
Q: What does it mean that the youth team coach and two more kids from that team are working in the first team now?
A: It’s an example of how Barcelona works. Everybody knew that this team had one of the best generations in the youth academy. There are three players playing for the first team now [Piqué, Cesc and himself], but there are a lot who have become professional players in general, like Vázquez and Valiente, and they have already played in Spain. There are others playing for other teams too, but everybody knew that most of us will get far, maybe not in the first team, but at least to earn a living playing football for good clubs.
Q: You state that you don’t care how many goals you score, that you rather win titles. Is there anything that you especially care about?
A: Yes, I prefer to win titles with the team instead of individual awards or score more goals than anybody. I am more concerned about being a good person than being the world’s best player. Besides, in the end, when this is all over, what do you take with you? My intention is that, when I retire, everybody will remember me for being a good guy. I like to score goals, but also having friends among the people I played with [or against]. It’s good to be valued as a person, that they have a good impression of you, beyond scoring lots of goals.
Q: So you’re not worried about winning the fourth Ballon D’Or either?
A: The awards are fine. I’m grateful, of course. But, deep down, you [journalists, public] care more about it, you’re always asking is this player better than the other one. Xavi or Iniesta? Who knows? My good luck is having landed in this Barça, full of amazing players. They’ve given me everything: the awards, the titles, the goals, everything. This is a team that already made history for everything we won. I’m lucky to play here and play for Argentina, where I have amazing footballers by my side. That’s the most important thing. The teams make me better, for sure. Without the help of my team mates, I would be nothing, I wouldn’t win anything. No titles, no awards, nothing.
Q: What makes you angry?
A: I hate to lose. In life? In life, poverty. I come from a country where it’s glaring. There are very young kids who have no choice other than to go out onto the streets to ask for money or they have to work doing whatever they can and they are all very young.
Q: What about that famous bubble where all footballers live? Aren’t you oblivious to these mundane things?
A: No. How are you going to be oblivious to this! We’re privileged people for living the way we live. I never lacked anything when growing up, beyond of course missing my siblings and my mother when I had to stay here in Barcelona with just my dad. But the reality is very different. Lots of parents have to work very hard to give their children what they need…I know it.
Q: You’re going to be a dad. Has that changed the way you see things?
A: Yes, you start to think about everything in a different way. You don’t think about yourself anymore. You think about him, that he never has any kind of problem, anything. It does change the way you see things, of course.
Q: Speaking of change, have you practiced the whole diaper business?
A: I already went through it with my nephews. I’m an expert.
Q: You have a foundation to help children in need.
A: We focus on education, we try to get them out of the streets through education and sports. We work with Unicef, hospitals, schools…It’s nice to be able to help.
Q: Rarely do we see your face light up more than when a kid comes near you to say hello. What’s that about?
A: Children are the most precious thing in the world, especially when they’re little and there’s no evil in them. They see you and they transform. Some feel very embarrassed. They don’t speak, they don’t understand I’m there talking to them because they only see you on television and, when they see you right in front of them, they almost freak out. Making a kid happy is what makes me feel best.
Q: Kids and adults try to get near you… Fame puts you in the spotlight all the time. Is it tiring?
A: No because I’m not faking it in any moment. I am the way I am on and off the pitch. That’s why I’m never worried about being watched because I’m always the same. I’m always myself. It’s been a long time since I’m well known and the embarrasment you felt in the beginning is long gone.
Q: You said once that on the pitch it is more difficult to play the way Iniesta or Xavi do it than playing the way you do. Is what you do easy?
A: I do what I can to help the team and I wouldn’t know how to do what they do. I just try to help the team, always. I don’t like losing at anything and I try to help the team to win. I’ve always said: I go out thinking about winning, not about scoring lots of goals.
Q: The way you play, can you train for it?
A: I don’t think so, I don’t know… Since I was little I played this way…
Q: That’s whay Tito Vilanova says.
A: What does he say?
Q: He says that, to his own surprise, you have been doing what you do since you were a kid, but now you do it against the best in the world, not 14 year-old kids.
A: My way of playing didn’t change much, it’s true, but I obviously learned a lot of things about the game. It helped that I came here to Barcelona and I worked in the way of the cantera and was taken care of. Just yesterday I was watching the seven year-old kids training right next to us, and the way they’re schooled is different than anywhere else in the world. Since you’re very young, they teach you how to play, to take care of the ball, tactics, to understand the game. And even though they are very young they already play the way we do! It never ceases to amaze me.
Q: They say that when you knew Tito would take over Pep Guardiola’s position, you just smiled, but that that smile made the whole club feel reassured.
A: Yes, it’s possible I smiled because it made me feel good to know that Tito would replace Pep. I have known him since I was a kid and we’ve now been five years together, with Pep and him. I thought that might be good. Look, Tito was the first coach that made me play because up until that moment I was either on the bench or not playing at all and it was him who made me a starter in that category [cadete]. I know him. He’s a very normal person, and open. He gets straight to the point, he says everything face to face with no problem. I like that.
Q: There were fights when you were cadetes, people say…
A: I can’t remember! [Laughs]. Surely there were some because it was a team with great people, but dangerous!
Q: Do you remember your first game in the cantera?
A: No, but I remember I injured my shinbone a little bit later.
Q: Is it true Piqué was always defending you when you were kicked?
A: Yes. He was already the tallest and we were all smaller. Dad was always there standing up for us.
Q: So did you all agree to become fathers so you could all go together to the park?
A: No! Pure coincidence. All at once [Piqué, Pedro, Villa and Valdes will have children too]. It’s a symptom we are all growing up and we have more responsibilities. A beautiful responsibility.
Q: Seeing you’re never satisfied with scoring just once, we can only assume you’ll have a big family, right? Are you going for a treble?
A: No, I don’t know…The more, the better. As many as they come!
Q: Another thing that amazes us is that is very difficult to make you fall and you never dive.
A: That’s another thing I have done since my childhood. It’s always been that way. I’ve always tried to finish the play. I don’t know…I’ve never been one to dive, I’ve never tried to do it.
Q: They say that you were the only player at the youth academy they never try to correct and they always respected your skills.
A: Sometimes they corrected me, but I can’t remember. They respected my way of playing, though here the philosophy is to stop with the first touch. But…I didn’t give the ball to anybody! Lots of times they told me to try to let the ball go until they realized I couldn’t do it so they let it go. But it’s true that, little by little, I tried to pass more. But when I first got here…I didn’t give the ball to anybody!
Q: Do you speak much on the pitch?
A: No, I don’t speak much [laughs].
Q: Your rivals and the refs wouldn’t agree with that…
A: Oh! With the refs and the rivals I speak more. With my team mates only what is needed. It’s been a long time since we play together that we just need a look in the eye.
Q: Ok, what about that fight with Villa? Didn’t you have a perfect dressing room?
A: I already told you to not look for problems where there are none, you better look the other way. There’s nothing there. We have a dressing room that works beyond the sports aspect, it’s spectacular. It’s been a long time since we are together, but it turns out the human aspect of the people in there is huge. You have no idea what a good time we have there. And after so many years, it’s not easy.
Q: Is that the best thing?
A: No, the best thing about this team is that we go out to play the games the same way we’ve played for the last five years, that we have the ball almost all the time, that it’s ours. And, above all that, the best thing about this team is the ambition and the hunger we have to keep on winning things. After everything we’ve won, you lose a game in training and you get upset. That’s the best thing: our ambition.
Q: Is that the way Pep showed you?
A: Yes, Pep showed us the way and we follow it. He was the one who made us play with the idea of taking the initiative, of always going for the goal. He gave us the attitude, he convinced us that by playing this way we will always win. It was spectacular. Beyond what he knows as a coach, he’s a phenomenon for the way he analyzed games and prepared for them. I don’t think there will ever be another coach like him.
Q: Rijkaard was the first one. Are you still angry about not having played the final in Paris?
A: I owe him practically everything. He was the one who trusted me, who gave me my debut when I was younger, who knew how to take me every step of the way. He knew when he had to leave me out and, even though I didn’t like it or get it in that moment, I understood it later. Everything that came after that was thanks to him.
Q: With Rijkaard you scored your first goal against Madrid. Well, three…
A: It was spectacular. We tied in the last minute, but it worked for us because we were in the first place and for how it happened… Later there were other goals but yes, those are unforgettable of course.
Q: What game against Madrid you remember the most?
A: I remember all the games we won. It’s the most beautiful thing, winning against Madrid, for what it means. It’s a great team. Maybe I’d choose the semifinal in Champions there, for what it meant.
Q: And also, scoring goals against Casillas. You don’t like him or what?
A: No, quite the opposite. I was lucky and I could score in these last clásicos. I hope to keep it that way. Iker is an amazing goalkeeper, one of the best. I’ve scored many goals, but he has also saved lots, lots. He’s very good, very fast.
Q: Are the games against Mourinho’s Madrid especially tough?
A: Every game is different. They’re always tough. Against Madrid, for what it means, for the talent of their players, it’s even tougher. But all games now are tougher. We couldn't score against Granada until the 85th minute, we almost lost against Spartak. Every time it’s more difficult. We want to attack and they defend with everything they can…We’ve been playing like this for a long time. The rivals know it and they look for the weak spot. If they get lucky with the counter attack, maybe Valdes won’t be able to save it and with very little they make things complicated for you. And it keeps getting worse, more complicated.
(cont'd)
Q: What do you admire about Real Madrid?
A: I like to play at the Bernabéu. It’s a club with great history.
Q: What about Mourinho’s team?
A: Madrid kills you with a counter attack. It has very fast forwards and the link defense-attack lasts five seconds and then it’s a goal. They don’t need to play well to score three goals. They create lots of scoring chances because of their players, who are very good. I’m lucky to know Higuaín and Di Maria very well. Pipa might not show up but suddenly he touches two balls and scores two goals. Out of nowhere Madrid scores.
Q: What do you think about Mourinho?
A: I can’t say. I don’t know him, I’ve never spoken to him. I can just talk about what he’s achieved, which is a lot, lots of titles. I know his players are very fond of him, but I don’t know him.
Q: Mourinho says that Barça plays boring football and that the Spanish NT is defensive.
A: Yeah?
Q: He said that at the UEFA coaches reunion: “They play with four in defense and six midfielders. It’s not offensive football. It’s tiring and gets people bored”.
A: Spain plays almost the same way we do. You can’t take the ball away from them. And for a player it's good if you play with them. I played against Spain and I was running behind them trying to get the ball and couldn’t reach it. It also happened in Madrid, in Murcia…In Argentina it was another thing. But I’ve never ran that much without the ball than when I played against Spain.
Q: Where is the Argentina NT right now?
A: Sabella has it very clear, he knows what he wants and he makes it known. New people came in and I think we are on the right path now.
Q: Do you dream of winning the World Cup in Brazil in two years?
A: I’d love to make it happen for what it’d mean for Argentina and for me.
Q: Would you retire without having played once for Ñuls [Newell’s Old Boys]?
A: Oh, I don’t know! I’ve always said I’d love to play in Argentina for what it means, for the way people live football there, because it was my dream since I was very young to debut and play in Primera before I came here. That’s one thing on my to-do list, but, I don’t know, there’s a long way to go until then.
Q: Is there anything you’ve liked about football lately?
A: To see the kids at the youth academy train. I’m amazed every time I see them, when I see how Barça works. They’re so young and they already play like that…You go to other places and they don’t do it, just here. That’s why I keep watching the kids, I like that.
Q: An italian journalist once said after inteviewing you that he felt like the defenses that are supposed to stop you: “You get everything ready, you try to know what way he’ll go, what he’s gonna do, you feel ready and, in the end, he always gets away”.
A: And he leaves thinking “I didn’t get anything from him!” [laughs] No, I always say what I think, but I don’t feel the need to get in trouble. I’m not interested in looking for conflict or problems. It’s not my idea nor my style. I don’t see any point in trash talking people you’ve just seen play but don’t even really know. I rather be respectful, that’s it. And you try, eh…But I just don’t want to get into it.
Q: Are you ticklish?
A: No, I’m not ticklish.
Q: What do you admire about Real Madrid?
A: I like to play at the Bernabéu. It’s a club with great history.
Q: What about Mourinho’s team?
A: Madrid kills you with a counter attack. It has very fast forwards and the link defense-attack lasts five seconds and then it’s a goal. They don’t need to play well to score three goals. They create lots of scoring chances because of their players, who are very good. I’m lucky to know Higuaín and Di Maria very well. Pipa might not show up but suddenly he touches two balls and scores two goals. Out of nowhere Madrid scores.
Q: What do you think about Mourinho?
A: I can’t say. I don’t know him, I’ve never spoken to him. I can just talk about what he’s achieved, which is a lot, lots of titles. I know his players are very fond of him, but I don’t know him.
Q: Mourinho says that Barça plays boring football and that the Spanish NT is defensive.
A: Yeah?
Q: He said that at the UEFA coaches reunion: “They play with four in defense and six midfielders. It’s not offensive football. It’s tiring and gets people bored”.
A: Spain plays almost the same way we do. You can’t take the ball away from them. And for a player it's good if you play with them. I played against Spain and I was running behind them trying to get the ball and couldn’t reach it. It also happened in Madrid, in Murcia…In Argentina it was another thing. But I’ve never ran that much without the ball than when I played against Spain.
Q: Where is the Argentina NT right now?
A: Sabella has it very clear, he knows what he wants and he makes it known. New people came in and I think we are on the right path now.
Q: Do you dream of winning the World Cup in Brazil in two years?
A: I’d love to make it happen for what it’d mean for Argentina and for me.
Q: Would you retire without having played once for Ñuls [Newell’s Old Boys]?
A: Oh, I don’t know! I’ve always said I’d love to play in Argentina for what it means, for the way people live football there, because it was my dream since I was very young to debut and play in Primera before I came here. That’s one thing on my to-do list, but, I don’t know, there’s a long way to go until then.
Q: Is there anything you’ve liked about football lately?
A: To see the kids at the youth academy train. I’m amazed every time I see them, when I see how Barça works. They’re so young and they already play like that…You go to other places and they don’t do it, just here. That’s why I keep watching the kids, I like that.
Q: An italian journalist once said after inteviewing you that he felt like the defenses that are supposed to stop you: “You get everything ready, you try to know what way he’ll go, what he’s gonna do, you feel ready and, in the end, he always gets away”.
A: And he leaves thinking “I didn’t get anything from him!” [laughs] No, I always say what I think, but I don’t feel the need to get in trouble. I’m not interested in looking for conflict or problems. It’s not my idea nor my style. I don’t see any point in trash talking people you’ve just seen play but don’t even really know. I rather be respectful, that’s it. And you try, eh…But I just don’t want to get into it.
Q: Are you ticklish?
A: No, I’m not ticklish.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=Lionel-Messi
Here & Gone: The strange relationship between LIONEL MESSI and his hometown in Argentina
Here & Gone: The strange relationship between LIONEL MESSI and his hometown in Argentina
Wow, it's been a while since I've read a football article as remotely interesting and well written. Great find.
He's like a non-weird Michael Jackson.
I'm confused about one thing. Tito said that he's always played like this. Messi said that they didn't try to correct him. So is he the one product of Barcelona that wasn't taught much growing up? It's all football instinct for him? Of course they must have taught him something but it seems, based on this interview, that he just does what he's always done and no one tells him otherwise. Would he have turned out the same way in any other team (given that he would have received the same playing opportunities)?
I'm confused about one thing. Tito said that he's always played like this. Messi said that they didn't try to correct him. So is he the one product of Barcelona that wasn't taught much growing up? It's all football instinct for him? Of course they must have taught him something but it seems, based on this interview, that he just does what he's always done and no one tells him otherwise. Would he have turned out the same way in any other team (given that he would have received the same playing opportunities)?
I honestly believe that Barca is basically the only team where he could have turned out like he did, if he came here instead of Barca all those years ago he would have been a world class player and one of the best ever simply because his talent but I doubt he'd be as productive as he is these days. He would have been a more direct player and probably be a winger, or in behind a striker. SAF imo would never have made him the leading man up top like Pep did.
Interesting read, curious what Argentines like Marcos think of Leo's unusual relationship with both Rosario and Los Albicelestes
Interesting what he says about Pep regarding tactics and match preparations. The level of detail he went into has been spoken of before as well.
Great read.
Rumour picking up steam that Thiago Rocuzzo Messi was born in Barcelona today - no official word yet
Very interesting
We'd probably stick him at right back or rotate him with Young.
ronnie as he became more and more a goal scorer was pushed up top and we shifted rooney wide left.
SAF might not be the most tactically gifted gaffer of all time but he's not a dullard either. He originally viewed giggs as being best off the main striker. Someone like messi who beats people THAT consistently, saf would play him through the middle.
incredible footballer. He was magical tonight
Came alive in the second half.Worrying now for the fans Ronaldo that he's also getting great at FKs
Stunning footballer. The best I've ever seen next to Ronaldo Luis Nazario.
It's a privilege watching him.
![9k70yd.gif]](https://i48.tinypic.com/9k70yd.gif])
Yet after...
I'm not surprised he was friendly after the goal Casillas gifted him with his shoddy positioning.
Is casillas only keeper in the world who conceeded goal(or goals, he is on two already) from Messi's freekick? 
I remember only those two goals goal against bilbao(or atletico madrid), where he scored from freekick, but in both situations goal was empty.
I remember only those two goals goal against bilbao(or atletico madrid), where he scored from freekick, but in both situations goal was empty.
Is casillas only keeper in the world who conceeded goal(or goals, he is on two already) from Messi's freekick?
I remember only those two goals goal against bilbao(or atletico madrid), where he scored from freekick, but in both situations goal was empty.
Totally forgot about that, tnx Skorenzy.
overrated midget
Him & Ronaldo should should feck and get it over with.
He was quality tonight. Barcelona need to get another forward in that line up and get him on the ball more, because his playmaking is wasted so long as there isn't another top quality goal scorer in the line up (or at least more reliable goalscorers).
A lot of their play as it stands is ineffectual given the huge amount of players they face infront of them with only Messi stood there amongst them - similar problems to what Spain had at the world cup despite their win. They'd be a frightening proposition with someone like Van Persie in there who could play out wide or score goals, a bit like how they employed Villa when they were really dicking about with everyone. I'm not convinced they'll find a way to properly accommodate Fabregas until Xavi steps down, so signing a player who can score a lot of goals and play out wide to start instead of the likes of him and Sanchez seems wise.
A lot of their play as it stands is ineffectual given the huge amount of players they face infront of them with only Messi stood there amongst them - similar problems to what Spain had at the world cup despite their win. They'd be a frightening proposition with someone like Van Persie in there who could play out wide or score goals, a bit like how they employed Villa when they were really dicking about with everyone. I'm not convinced they'll find a way to properly accommodate Fabregas until Xavi steps down, so signing a player who can score a lot of goals and play out wide to start instead of the likes of him and Sanchez seems wise.
He was far from his best tonight. Almost invisible in the first half except for a free tap in goal in the box. Came more to life in the second and scored a great free kick though I think Casillas is weirdly far from saving it. Compare it to De Gea's save from Mata's free kick.
Says a lot about him though, that at a night where he isnt at his best he still scores 2 against Real Madrid. Ridiculous player.
Says a lot about him though, that at a night where he isnt at his best he still scores 2 against Real Madrid. Ridiculous player.
Am I the only one who thinks that his performance wasn't as good as it can be from him. The second goal was poor goalkeeping from Casillas. Anyway, did he equaled Di Stefano goal scoring record in these matches?
He was far from magical last night, Christ, put your glasses on.
Iker's positioning is fine if there's a far post threat to consider. But with Alves off the pitch, Barcelona didn't have a single player who could drive a hard effort towards the far post. It was inevitable it was going over the wall.
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