Lionel Messi - FC Barcelona (Photo and Style Of Play)

Name:

 

Lionel Messi

Current Team:

 

Barcelona

Shirt Number:

 

10

Positions:

 

• Attacking Midfielder (Right)
• Forward

Style of play

Messi has been compared to compatriot Diego Maradona, due to their similar playing style and body stature, that gives him a lower centre of gravity than most players, allowing him to be more agile and change direction quickly, helping him to evade tackles.

His short, firm legs allow him to excel in quick acceleration and his quick feet allow him to keep control of the ball when dribbling at Top speed. former FC Barcelona manager, Guardiola,  stated: “He is the only player that runs faster with the ball than he does without the ball.”.

 Like Maradona , Messi is dominantly a left footed player. With the outside of his left foot, he usually begins dribbling runs, he uses the inside of his foot to finish and provide passes and assists to team mates.

Messi most times undertakes individual dribbling runs towards goal,  starting from the halfway line, or the right side of the pitch, although he has also been described as a versatile team player, with good vision, known for his passing and his creative combinations, in particular with Barcelona team mates Xavi and Iniesta. He is also a good set piece and penalty kick taker.

 With regards to his dribbling ability, Maradona said of Messi: "The ball stays glued to his foot; I’ve seen great players in my career, but I’ve never seen anyone with Messi's ball control." Maradona has stated that he believes Messi to currently be the greatest player in the world.

Messi  free attacking and playmaking roles,(known for  finishing, pace, dribbling, balance, positioning and passing ability). 

He began his career as a left-winger and forward, but was later moved onto the right wing by former manager Frank Rijkaard, who noticed that from this position, Messi could cut through the defence into the middle of the pitch more easily, allowing him to curl shots on goal with his left foot, 

He has more recently been used in a false 9 role under Guardiola.This role is characterized by Messi's tendency to seemingly be playing as a centre forward, or as a lone striker, although he will often run back into deep positions drawing defenders with him, creating space for wingers, other forwards, and attacking midfielders to make runs

 With the Argentinian National team, Messi usually plays anywhere along the front line. He began as a forward or winger but has also played in a deeper role, in particular under Maradona, in more of an attacking midfield and playmaking role.

Age:

 

26 years old (24-06-1987)

Height:

 

169cm

Weight:

 

67kg

Nationality:

 

Argentina