I don't really understand or care about soccer, but I watched some of that video. I loved how he more than once shook off an intercepting player by simply pretending to shift in one direction, then immediately shifting back again. The other player takes the bait and shifts his weight to the opposite side, not being able to recover and continue chasing when he realizes he's been had. All this without Messi even touching the ball :laughing:

That must be a pretty frustrating move to be outplayed by.

yeah, that's exactly it. it's not like he's doing this to nobodies, these are professionals in the highest tier of European football and he's making them trip over their own legs like a goddamn new born deer. he's just an artist with the ball at his feet.

Seriously. It's bad enough that we watch it. Instant replay has really destroyed a bad thing.

You mean how four hours of game are generally divided between 60% commercials, 20% instant replay, and 20% actual game?

you forgot 15% of guys standing around which leaves only 5% for actual game

but unlike soccer, that 5% is at least entertaining

Whenever I think of football the image that always immediately pops into my head is a bunch of guys milling around looking bored with their arms akimbo.

One of the best things about him is the consistency he does it with, you know that he is going to be counted.

That qualifier the other week was ridiculous, the scrutiny and pressure on him when he plays for Argentina would finish most players off but he thrived on it, made sure that they won.

the best part is that even after all these years of doing it, no one can stop him. he uses the same tricks to beat defenders all the time, they know it's coming, but there's still nothing they can do. i would imagine when a team plays against them there is a player sent out there with the role of shadowing Messi, and yet still you rarely if ever see him go a whole game without scoring or creating more than 1 goal.