Lionel Messi- Worst nightmare of the defenders

Andrew Heanngam Pamei *

Messi, playing for Argentina in 2011, has been compared to compatriot Diego Maradona and two-time FIFA/Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. :: Pix - wikipedia/Jacoplane

This beautiful game football has seen some wonderous footballing greats, who, with their indefatigable urge to mesmerize the world with their magical exploits have set billions of hearts alight while gracing the football stadium. Such names live on and immortalize themselves in the hearts of their fans. No wonder legends like Pele, Diego Maradona and Zidane still rule the hearts of fanatics worldwide.

One such footballer, who with his spellbinding technique on the pitch has inspired millions with his signature move, is Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi, considered best player in the world today, comes close to the legendary Argentine footballer- Diego Maradona.

Lionel Messi, a diminutive player from Argentina needs no introduction. Soccer fans who often don’t miss any matches of Spanish league and FIFA world cup 2014, would be familiar with the sight of a tiny giant (Lionel Messi), who dazzles on the pitch, sizzles with the ball which fizzles out the life, left in his hapless opposition.

He storms down the field like tracer bullet, grounding his marker with his inexplicably staggering skills, flying past the flabbergasted defense to glory. Ask any defenders in the world about their worst nightmare, and you’d receive an instant response- “Lionel Messi!” The frantic pace with which he flies past the opposition leaves even the best marksmen bamboozled.

While there are few others around the world who could match the little genius in a 200 meter dash, there’s no match to Messi when it comes to the pace with which he controls the ball and dribbles through.

The ease with which he makes the most complicated turns and touches, earns him the respect even from his rivals. Messi has a gargantuan influence on the present generation and he is regarded as a perfect role model.

Add to this, his chimerical goal scoring record for arguably the best club in the world. His performance on the grandest of all stages bring out the man behind the boy and validates the saying “size matters only while evaluating achievements, not while measuring one’s waist size!”

When it comes to the art of dumbfounding or exuding eye-popping skills, Lionel Messi is second to none. The manner in which the Argentine wriggles and scrabbles around the ball leaves his marker hexed and hypnotized. There’s no joy in the world for any football fan than to watch his star-player doing what he does best… Amaze and enlighten!

In fact, it seems like the ball is battened to his foot at all times and the pace with which he dribbles, it’s like he’s letting out all the wrath right in the face of the defender who’s been handed the dreadful task of keeping him at bay.

Cutting through the defense is a routine job and that baneful run where he starts off slowly and slowly picks up peace, gradually leaving light to shame makes his marker skip a bit or two. How can one forget the vintage Messi shows where with his assiduous solo runs left, right and centre of the park, he makes the football ground look like his hunting ground with chasers falling prey to his ebullience.

He didn’t play it fancy, he is more of a natural player who can tear past the opposition using his mercurial pace coupled with surreal ball control, twisting and turning his way past every obstacle to fire home yet another wonder goal. His most effective weapon is his ‘quick feet’ with which he could make the ball dance to his tunes to perfection and make the defenders follow suit!

And as, I conclude, I want to remind the readers that, I am a die-hard fan of Lionel Messi. I’m a fan of him as he is the most humble and the best of the best player on the planet. His play has always been an inspiration.

No matter how many opponents/defenders block him, he would find a way through, no matter how many times they knock him down, he would rise up from his falls. Same in our lives, let us play our game of life like how Lionel messi plays soccer- turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones and willingness to rise from falls.

This article is a tribute to the living legend- Lionel messi and his fans. God bless you all.