Lionel Messi sprints into the goal box after laying the ball off to Jordi Alba like he’s done thousands of times before, and gets the ball back to square it into the goal box for a another goal once again. It’s still incredible to see Messi playing in the MLS for Inter Miami.
Overall, Messi hasn’t lost a step, even as he ages. Someday, defenders will learn to track back. Especially when is the greatest soccer player of all time. If Messi makes a run, it is a good idea to follow him. Moreover, when it is a run into the goal box. And when Messi is on already sprinting, it is too late.
For New York City FC it is Justin Haak who rushes out to defend Messi. And then Haak looks over for a second when Messi lays the ball off to Alba. It is at this point that the play is over. It is almost like Haak realizes it too. As he puts his head down to sprint back and try to catch Messi.
Additionally, it doesn’t even matter that Haak is 23 and Messi is 37 years old. The angles and the geometry of the play and the timing of the run, make it all done and dusted in seconds.
It is all with good intentions that Haak sprints out to cover Messi. Perhaps he is rushing out with the idea of holding the line for offsides. The trap though is set by Messi and he is gone once he plays the ball back to his former Barcelona teammate.
This quote from Matthew Doyle: “Messi releases a pass. The defender turns his head for a half-second. Messi is gone. How many hundreds of times have we seen this over the past 20 years?”
Watch as Messi lays the ball off to Alba and sprints into the box to lay the ball off to teammate Tomás Avilés for the goal. Another brilliant pattern of movement between Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi following a corner kick.
You’d have to say that one thing that Messi has always done in his career is lull defenders to sleep just for a brief moment. Lose track him of him for a second, and he will create a goal scoring chance.
Messi releases a pass. The defender turns his head for a half-second.
How many hundreds of times have we seen this over the past 20 years? pic.twitter.com/tYKsw0wpyO
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) February 23, 2025
Remember when they used to attack Messi for walking on the soccer pitch? That’s his genius though. He wants you to switch off for a half a second. He knows when to sprint.
Finally, this video is by the excellent Joseph Lowery. You can find more of his work about the MLS at BackHeeled.com.
