Teammates tend to relax when Messi is on the field, watching as though he’s a figure in a video game.
Last Saturday, Barcelona welcomed back Lionel Messi after the international star missed five matches through injury. Despite widespread concern that Barcelona would be adversely affected by Messi’s absence, the team did quite well–registering four wins and a draw during his absence.
With those results, Barcelona has been able to maintain a comfortable lead atop their Champions League group, which includes European powerhouses PSV, Tottenham, and Internazionale. FCB also occupies first place in La Liga.
Messi scores twice in loss to Real Betis (photo, Channel NewsAsia)
Messi made his comeback against Real Betis, scoring a brace, in a team that Barcelona lost, 4-3.
For sure, any game can be won or lost no matter who is on the pitch. Still, though, one can’t help but ask: How did this team do so well without Messi and, then, lose upon his return?
One reason is that Messi has so many fans, including 10 fans in the pitch–his teammates–who are often look lost in admiration of Messi’s artistry and dynamism. Vulnerable and caught off possession at times, they too easily lose their grip as they watch him perform.
That’s not a Barcelona problem only. It’s a problem for many teams in numerous sports–teams with a superstar hero. But teams in that situation need to respond. For Barcelona, that means re-capturing their productive ways during the time of Messi’s absence.
It’s not that there aren’t quality players on this team. Consider Luiz Suarez’s form in El Classico, Ousmane Dembele’s skills, and Coutinho’s touches.
At issue is blending that talent with Messi’s extraordinary skills.
Messi’s brace against Betis last weekend surely speaks volumes, but what his teammates can’t do is relax when he’s on the field. Sometimes it’s like they are watching Messi’s highlights from a PlayStation game.
The result comes in the form of what happened last Saturday … a loss. Barcelona is too good for that outcome.
