Messi the magician

Tuesday, 13/04/2010

After an enthralling couple of weeks of Champions League action which has seen huge disappointment for English clubs with both Arsenal and Manchester United crashing, one man stands out as head and shoulders above the best players in European and World football. That man is the Argentine magician Lionel Messi.

In recent years, he’s been referred to as one of the three best players in the world, alongside Real Madrid pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Kaka’s year was 2007. His technical brilliance and vision was a key part of AC Milan’s Champions League success. In 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo came to the fore, scoring more than40 goals in one season and becoming Manchester United’s talismanic attacking force, guiding The Red Devils to Premier League and European Cup success.

But, without question, the last two years have belonged to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. Wayne Rooney can now be held in a similarly high-regard after his goal-scoring exploits for Manchester United this season, but for sheer fantasy football, Messi is ahead of the game.

With unrivalled speed of thought and sharpness of movement, Messi has always been one of the most dangerous and entertaining players in world football, but this season he has somehow taken his bewildering ability to another level.

A product of the Catalan club’s famed youth academy, the 22-year-old now enjoys a free role in the Barca attack after previously occupying a wider position. This has suited him down to the ground. His movement in that dangerous area between the defence and midfield makes him almost impossible to mark as Arsenal found to their cost at the Nou Camp.

Arsene Wenger chose not to put a man-marker on the Argentine and with a patched up midfield and defence, The Gunners were always going to struggle. But the way Messi clinically and artistically picked them apart was still so impressive. It was a 90-minute exhibition which illustrated his brilliance.

Comfortable with his back to goal, safe in the knowledge that he can turn either way within a split second, Messi skips past opponents who get too close and commit themselves to tackles, but is also capable of taunting and cajoling standing off defenders into mistakes. The other problem, as shown against Arsenal, was that if you stand off too much, Messi can and will shoot and with awesome power and accuracy.

At times he looks as though he’s playing his own game within a game. The pace of the action changes when he decides and his huge influence on such a talented team hasn’t been seen since Zinedine Zidane was at the peak of his powers with Real Madrid.

‘Leo’ is heading for 30 league goals this season and has already notched eight in the Champions League. After inspiring Barcelona to victory in Saturday’s El Classico fixture with Real Madrid, the La Liga title looks sewn up for another year and it would take a brave man to back against the Spanish giants retaining their European crown at the home of their great rivals in May.

Comparisons to one of the all-time greats and Messi’s current international coach, Diego Maradona, appeared premature a few years ago, but know they are beginning to look spot on.

The remaining challenge for the Argentine artist is to express his huge talents on the biggest stage. This summer’s World Cup is ideal and sees a player at the very top of his game, operating in an Argentina team with the capability to supplement his talents.  It seems perfectly set up for Messi to clean up in South Africa. 

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