Messi has scored 807 goals in European competition. Has won everything and all the the hardware that others just dream of winning. He will be playing in the United States for 2 and half years and he is so good that he will get close to 900 goals. His teammates have to learn from him. Inter Miami have about 5 or 7 players under 22 years of age and they have to learn from him. Inter Miami looks and plays much better since his arrival. Then you have Busquets and Alva. They also have won many championships. So much talent. Go Inter Miami!!!!
900?? He has scored 5 in just 3 matches, so I'd say he will surpasssed that marc by the end of his career if we take into account our South American qualifiers, the Copa América and friendlies. He has 812 goals now.
We should be glad Messi chose Miami instead of going back to Barcelona. It will do wonders for raising the popularity of the world's most popular sport.
@@SpreadSheetSoccerthat may have unexpected consequences once Messi leaves MLS…. Yes he is the GOAT magnet, but then once he leaves, fans will go into Messi withdrawal and just fade away similar to what happened when Pele left… as the MLS game is not world class by far!
@@Slo-ryde It depends. If MLS is smart, they will make changes to their rules about roster and salary caps. By raising their salary cap, or even getting rid of it, team owners all over the country will be able to bring more world class players to MLS. Which would then make MLS more popular, and improve the quality of the league overall.
@@nerychristianif I was American I would rather have worse players than make my league into the Saudi league. Once too much money is involved, the game becomes impersonal
Zlatan and other great players have played in the MLS too, but I don't think they had this influence on everything. Messi's just that good, and he's doing it with the bottom placed team!
@@MP-lz1xb Actually you can, Zlatan also was a bomb in the mls. Lets see if Messi can surpass him. If Messi wins one of the cups this season. He has surpassed Zlatan in influence on his team for sure. But than there are still the mass goals Zlatan scored. Over all of course Messi is the better player than Zlatan, but Zlatan also was older ... So you should respect him, for instance Zlatan was better at PSG than Messi, but he also had the advantage that PSG made the team around him, while Messi was on Mbappe team or a team with no clear direction or planning... Both are legends... I mean Zlatan even beat Ronaldos Europe time... at the top leagues...
@@majormononoke8958 Zlatan played in one of the best teams in the MLS while Messi came to the worse, literally. Messi already scored 7 goals In less than 4 games giving him a better goal ratio (although it is too soon to tell if he will keep it going). Zlatan joined the MLS when he was 36 y/o, Messi is also 36. Messi had more goal contribution than any other player at PSG during his last season there. However, Zlatan's numbers were even better than Messi's every season he was there. Zlatan definitely deserves some respect as the legend he is.
In Europe we have watched Lionel Messi since his first appearance in Barcelona in 2004 (…!). Until recent I had never watched the MLS, but now having watched it I must say the level of the European top leagues (England, Germany, Spain, Italy) is a lot higher than the MLS. Messi being used to this higher level, must feel like he is playing on a playground. And that shows, he can do what he wants (with some of his old buddies!) and is happy! He’s earned that after all those years.
Am an American I have been saying this for years. Our domestic league is a joke because Americans are crybabies and want EVERY single team to be mediocre so everyone can compete. They allow for limited spending and the quality is just very ordinary.
Listen, no one holds the MLS in that high regard but other European world class talents have gone there and not done what he’s done. Let’s also not forget Miamis form before he arrived and how it is now. He joined one of the worst MLS teams and transformed them overnight. It’s impressive.
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
@@StarPulse737in 21/22, Messi had 11 goals and 14 assists in 34 appearances in Ligue One. Commited more to being a playmaker behind Mbappe, he didn't do as much finishing as he did in Barca. He contributed in other facets of the game for PSG as well, and was probably their 2nd best player that season. This season was a poor season, by Messi standards. Terming it as a complete failure, however ,would be harsh Now, the second season, Messi had 20g and 21a in 41 appearances. Still mainly playmaking, he finished as the top assister in the Ligue and was 3 short of breaking the assist record He also scored goals crucial to their League win. This was an improved season, being probably their best player this season along with Mbappe. There is also alot more to football than just stats, Walcott has more UCL goals than R9. Watching games would give a better reflection of a players performance and value. Also, the French league is definitely still top 5. The list you saw is based on this current UCL alone, not an aggregate of the past 5, as UEFA usually does it to get league positions
@@StarPulse737you Ronaldo fans can be really stupid since when Messi has struggled in France or he just didn't want to be there. A Barcelona legend struggling in a team like PSG 😁Messi is above psg and he is the one responsible for mbappe redicurlers numbers.
all of his games so far have been phenomenal. inter miami feels like a pink version of barcelona at times. messi + busquets + alba is such a throwback to the glory days. and some of his inter miami team mates are playing so well with him like taylor and martinez especially. such a joy to watch these games.
There you go again! Little mess wouldn’t be anything without the back bone of Busquete, alba and others that are forced to work for the prat. He was ok in Barcelona thanks to Eniesta, xavi as soon they left? He became a no one that’s why he runaway to the farmers league (France) but even there he was a mediocre. Wake up people stop putting a n average player made up by the media and hater’s of the goat RONALDO
So many opportunities now to learn for the youngsters playing in the MLS. Messi, Alba, Busquets in the MLS is valuable for ALL the players in the MLS. Now all defenses can be sharpened, all attacks can be sharpened, all mid-field play can be sharpened! Oh boy, what a treat!
the real opportunity for you yanks is to embrace the real football and stop calling it soccer...this is the moment... Messi doesn't plays 'soccer', he plays FOOTBALL at his ultimate instances... and he went there to show you all yanks the way to proper play the game... FOOTBALL
What I find even more striking than watching Messi in MLS is watching Busquets. Every time he receives the ball from the center backs you can see him instinctively scanning behind, as he is facing his own goal. But the opposing press just doesnt come or comes too late. So they just let him turn and sometimes even drive the ball forwards, which you wouldnt see in a high level european game normally. The press and also the defense often times is just uncoordinated compared to what Messi and Busquets are used to, which allows them to find passes consistently.
Good point. Busquets, Xavi and Inniesta together were all about that tiki taka BECAUSE the press would come. It was build as a necessity. In MLS that is a lot less necessary.
Yeah, it's just too easy for them. Both still have the skills to play at the highest level no doubt. But their bodies aren't close to what they used to be, all this time and space is too easy for them.
@@IVIRnathanreilly yea but they could still play in Europe's highest competitions. They're both older but not washed like many people who come to MLS. If someone told me they played the champions league semifinal I wouldn't doubt it.
Messi has 3 extremely developed qualities that allow him to be the GOAT 1) Ball control - his control and dribbling skills allow him to be calm, patient and give him time to see passing lanes, theres no rush or anxiousness because he knows your not likely to get the ball away from him. 2) Accuracy - as we all can see, his accuracy in passing and shooting is probably #1 in the world and that is not really effected by age. 3) Vision - He is a smart or clever player. And because of the first two qualities he can read the pitch like a general on the battlefield and take advantage of this. While everybody else is concerned with only what is near to them Messi is not that concerned, and so he can SEE how things should develop and be steps ahead of the defenders. If a player wants to use Messi as an example they should focus on ball control, accuracy and vision. Of coarse his level of those 3 things is the best in the world however.
You kinda explained it with the vision, but Messi by far has one of the highest ball IQs ever. When he broke Gvardiol's ankles at the WC to set up Alvarez, not once did he put his head up to see if anyone was there, because he knew someone was there to close the pass, because a striker has to be there, there's no other place for a goalscorer to be in that situation. While he struggled with people understanding him earlier in his career, I feel like the current version of Messi understands that he has to basically tell his teammates what will happen, because they don't always see what he does. The pass in the Netherlands game too, only Messi and maybe a select other few elite playmakers make that pass, Messi didn't look for the pass, he KNEW that pass.
If i had to pick one key attribute that Messi seems to have, and it's an attribute that enables all his other qualities, it is that he processes his sensory inputs really fast and that gives him the thing all great athletes most rely on - Time. When the world runs in slo-mo for ya....
@@ElDragow Messi is always compared to pele and maradona, while ronaldo isn't even counted amout the top 3... and i think you forget the 2015 when messi distroy bayern and boateng... ronaldo is a great player but not in the level of messi... even the kids that star watching football during this last decade knows that🤭
@@ElDragow Yes Ronaldo and Real got their arses handed to them over and over by Messi and Barca for almost a decade. Ronaldo is so much better. Just ask Morocco, they cry when they hear Ronaldo's name.
Bruh..he has been the best for 15 years in europe..there is no way some people doubting him after he moves to US.its not the MLS easy,but messi making it look easy.
@user-vn6jw4fc6h but he didn't score for fun in Europe ..you can't possibly try to say there's no difficulty disparity between Europe and MLS..a league without even a second division? .Nah that would be straight up cap.Zlatan said it. The league is too easy
Appreciate this analysis and the way it shows that Messi rarely makes a bad pass, but the team needs to work toward reaching the ball where Messi puts it. He puts it exactly where it needs to be to score, whether his teammates make it to the mark in good form is what is missing. I think this will improve for the simple fact that his team will KNOW the ball is not just being passed, it is offered as a goal if you get there.
@@HENNYODEACERO all of a sudden 32 goals and 34 assists in 70 games in now considered bad. Just shows Messi's standard. He played a different role for PSG role and still was their best player this season ahead of PSG golden boy
It's both. 8 months ago Messi was selected player of the match and player of the tournament winning the world cup. At the same time the MLS is like college basket compared to the MBA
I keep hearing about the World Cup and indeed he was FANTASTIC. But it was his last chance to win the tournament, he had a very good team this time and he went HARD for it. It's a 1 month tournament. He litterally surprised everyone, not because we discovered his god level but because he hadn't played so nicely, ran so much in years. We can't forget he really struggled last 4 years in CL not only with PSG but with Barca too. Even in Ligue 1 which is a very physical and defending league. Of course PSG had bad chemistry and he wasn't happy but we saw that he could not have the advantage he used to have on defenders on the first touches. Still had respectable numbers but even visually he didn't dominate. I really don't think MLS is a bad league. But it's very obvious that it's a league that favors attacks and goals rather than proper defending. It's pretty fun to watch I have to admit but there is A LOT of space in the field. If you give Messi (and Busquets btw) the 2 seconds he didn't have anymore in Europe YEAH you gonna have a taste of prime Messi.
@@OhYummmmp who said he wasn’t one of the GOAT ?? 🤨 I just said he wasn’t at his prime anymore. Yes he had two magical last tournaments with his national team. But it was sometimes way more complicated with his clubs. Not bad AT ALL but slowly going into the other side of his career. I never liked individual trophy in a collective sport but again Messi winning Ballon d’Or has nothing to do with my point. Even out of his prime he was still the best player in 2019 for example. Not sure about the 2021 one I think Lewandowski deserved it more. Same for the 2023 I think Messi will win it but I’m rooting for Haaland or DeBruyne.
@@okocha971 No single player can carry a team to a champions league. Barcelona and PSG were nowhere near good enough to compete against the best teams those years. Messi's level wasn't the reason for that.
@@gamble777888 Agree but he was still part of these teams and individually failed a few times. I only said he was past his ultimate prime not that he became average 😅. Messi 2014 was waay better but Messi 2022 won the WC. Of course he had a better team but he was himself different. Slower but more efficient and with way more leadership.
When Messi lifts Miami to the proper level, then mls will get better which will happen anyway because that is what he does everywhere, the golden touch of goat
It's a bit of both....also the MLS isn't bad, overall it's a decent league with good entertainment...it's the defences that are weak because most of the investment and focus is on creative attacking players because the US culture like goals, where as in somewhere like Italy their fans appreciate defences and love a 1-0 win.Think the lack of promotion/ relegation system makes a massive difference to a MLS and the fans. It raises the jeopardy in each game to nerve racking levels knowing if your team struggle they could be relegated to a lower league. In the US as there's no relegation then think some of players are in awe of Messi and know he's good for their league, where as in Europe a team near the bottom are fighting for their professional lives, so there's zero respect for Messi on the field and they are much more focussed to stop Messi at any cost.
@@mathewsb19951 lmao. There are like 60+ Europeans in MLS currently... Including like 6 on Inter Miami before they even signed Messi... Taylor is a European.. lol.
First of all, excellent video. Well explained and exemplified. Great graphics. And everything right on target. This is what I've been trying to explain in multiple comments in other videos, especially those that bring out the Messi/Ronaldo rivalry. What Leo does and has done for the last 18 years is something no other player has done. The longevity alone has no parallel. But also, on the road to developing his football IQ throughout the years, he showed us every facet of the total and most complete football player, dominating every aspect of the game, especially the brains of it. And... with exemplary behavior, both on and off the pitch. Having said all that, it has been said that MLS teams spend on forwards and creative players and not on defenders. This is probably the reason why skillful players shine and defenders are made to look pretty naïve, which they are. Defending has two fundamental tools--the personal technical defending skills and the tactical defending and transitioning. The MLS needs much improvement in both. Coaches are going to have to develop defenders, and most of all, defenses. Inter Miami did something very smart in this respect. They brought over a midfield boss like Busquets, and a wing back like Alba, both of whom played with Messi for years. With this triangle the team covers a lot of ground, and they make the rest of the team play to their tune. They still have some weaknesses in defense that are going to have to be resolved, but when you have so much fire power, it sort of makes up for it. That's how you get a 4-4 score.
What part of Messi's game is something that has never been done before? How is he complete if he has glaring weaknesses in his game? How has his longevity been that impressive when his decisiveness in big game has been gone since 2019 whereas his perceived rival was still on that level till 2022?
@@sskmanentsa5326 I used to think Penaldo-stans where the most pathetic nuthugging fan-bois on the planet. Then I read their comments in every Messi post on the internet and realized I was wrong: Penaldo-stans are the most pathetic nuthugging fan-bois in the known universe.....
Exactly messi breeds in big moments yes he had his misses but he is too good he is the personification of THE FOOTBALL player plus he is a great human too
Messi is a phenomenon, he's from another planet. As for the MLS the league is not bad, it's inexperienced and world class players will make the MLS more competitive. 🔥⚽️🇦🇷
We can’t say that the MLS is bad if so then all other leagues he played in is bad too because he dominated in all the leagues the guy is the GOAT so he going to make playing the game looks easy
Yes but against the elite of players around the world. The MLS has potential in the future but right now is not a good league. Entretaining maybe, but not a good one in comparission to the rest of the world. So yes, we can say is bad and it´s not a bad thing to say when other sports in that country have been dominating the audience and the interest of athletes there and the type of culture wich i think is important too. Is good that futbol is watched with other eyes maybe and this could inspire new generations to play the sport, your country has a lot of people, infrastructure and money to make it happen.
MLS is bad. Every player from Europe comes and dominates. Stop this. Did your forget. Ibra? Rooney? Beckham? All dominated also Messi did not dominate in France. Had Messi Mbappe and Neymar but won nothing.
You can put LeBron James in German basketball league and when he posts big numbers say that the league sucks, yes the league is not the best in the world but the guy is still one of tge GOATs… Even now, they did not bring a pensioner way past his prime as sometimes happens, now who else now is better than him over all, as goal scorers Haaland, Mbappe ok, but overall?
Not sure if that's a good comparison since barely anybody in europe knows anything about basketball so nobody knows how good or bad german league is or how good Lebron James is compared to other basketball players except what they might hear. People can't really compare it to anything. There's never been a comparison because basketball is really big in only one country and NBA is quite isolated. With football it's very different, there's many ways how to compare, good players and clubs all around the world, fans regularly see players, clubs and teams from every corner of the earth so it's easy to establish how good a player is compared to other. Similar with leagues although it's a bit more complicated.
@@damasek219 Basketball is definitely not only big in the United States. Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brasil (among others) have many important teams and players.
@@ifacro I've heard of Lithuania and Serbia and yes, basketball is big in Lithuania and quite big in Serbia, but nowhere near football in any of the other countries you mentioned and even in Serbia, the worlds powerhouse of basketball, it's nowhere near football, let alone in Argentina or Spain. They do have big clubs but only relative non-basketball countries. They are far behind USA in terms of popularity even in their home countries.
Nonsense. Messi was not particularly good at PSG, even though the French league is only the fifth best in Europe. The MLS is shit, old European-based pros regard it as a retirement league. It is so weak that they can prolong their career there by a few years.
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
"Is Messi that good playing 'soccer?" is just a cute candid question that makes a Football fan chuckle. It's like seeing a few Basketball games and going, "this Jordan fellow is handy isn't he?"
It's just a combination of both tbh. Players like Messi (and a very few other) are genuine Historical talent! And despite the improvement of MLS (that is better than many other football leagues imo) it is still not at the highest level when compared to the Top Leagues around the world. But imo, the best anyone can do when you have a player like Messi is to just enjoy the magical moments he can give and try to get more of those moments!
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
No MLS team would stay up in the top 8 leagues in Europe. It's just entertainment, if they weren't playing on a pitch with a football and you could just see players moving you'd barely recognise it.
I do agree that Atlanta was poor, I thought it still highlighted Messi’s ability pretty well. Although Orlando city did a lot more to keep him out of the game that I was impressed by
@@SpreadSheetSoccer Very enjoyable game vs Orlando. The analysis was spot on. I just needed to highlight how shameful Atlanta's defense was. Thanks for reading my feedback. 🇦🇷🏆🎉
I'm somewhat conflicted. I mean, it would be nice if a team is able to beat Inter Miami, even with Messi and Busquets, and Alba. That would prove that MLS players can beat Messi. But at the same time, I want them to stay in the tournament until the final because Messi is so fascinating to watch.
@@nerychristian Yes, I get it. It is much about the show rather than the football. For me this was Messi's retirement and as an Argentine I don't have any stakes on the MLS other than being Messi's league. If you are a fan of any other MLS team it can feel like something is broken and be very sad (or conflicting as you said).
Messi scored a hat-trick vs Real Madrid at 19 years old, 91 goals in 1 calendar year in Spain, and has every international trophy possible with Argentina - those free kicks, shots and passes are world class precision in any league.
This is a perfect example of "why not both?" We all know the MLS is bad, and we all seen him do that kind of stuff for decades against the best national teams and world clubs.
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
People want to crap on the MLS players, but they fail to remember how Messi was making European footballer's look like a bunch of amateurs on the field as well. Everywhere he goes and plays, he will make the rival team looking like an embarrassment.
Not true. Not sure if you're a new football fan. But go and check are atats and performances in the French league. The mls is just the weak. If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
@@StarPulse737 Weak compared to Europe for now. The sport is still fairly young here compared to other countries. So the development here was very slow in the beginning, but has recently grown pretty fast. I'm confident that will change and we will be a force to be reckoned with. I remember watching the U.S. when I was a little kid and how bad they played. The players played very tight close together and not spread out. No technique. Very sloppy. I didn't like soccer back then. Not back then when Diego Maradona played in the 80s-90s. My mother had always been a fan of the sport and I would sometimes sit down and watch it for a little. I remember the sport was not embraced here in the U.S. as it is today. Even by me. I was part of the stigma that soccer was a weak sport. Had I been a little kid today, I would praise the sport and not mock it. It wasn't until the early 2000's when I started to embrace the sport. It still not loved by many here. But the newer generations are embracing it and it will be the main sport here. I will be old by that time.
@G34RH34D compared to Europe? Argentina has a better league, Brazil, as a better league. Football here in Europe is a street sport in the US for the rich. No relegation, no homegrown players, free academies. Hopefully, it will pick up, but I highly doubt it.
I also think when he’s not on the ball, he positions himself in a way to spread the other players around where he thinks they should be to get a good spread for triangulation going. It’s like he’s controlling the others remotely.
Acosta has been doing something similar for FC Cincinnati the past year and a half which is why Cincinnati was able to go from last to first in such a short time. Messi and Inter Miami are the only team and player I'm scared of now as an FCC fan. Messi is just on another level when it comes to reading a defense and making the perfectly timed pass.
Messi is god. The goat. In argentina, barcelona now in miami it is like same. No bullshit. But in psg players are like selfish no pass nothing only run. Thats why they lose.
They will not admit it though. Messi wanted to manage PSG in the field but too many egos burnt him. Lucky we are that Miami leaves him to be the goat he is so now we are talking big time!!!
A tiny unappreciated detail in that first goal is in his shot, he bounces the ball over the defender knowing they would most likely slide. Absolutely genius
I don't blame you for posing the question albeit to get views, I won't judge. But you gotta remember that Messi is way past the average max age for mainstream club football. And the guy has literally achieved almost everything as a player. If you want to know his game and capabilities better you need to dig up the football archives.
I'm glad he gets to play with Busquets and Alba - his old teammates. And he seems to still be him - a passionate player ♥. Hope they treat this legend well in his final years 🙏
Great fucking video dude, i appreciate seeing Americans understanding football beyond acting/filming scenes (which is the cancer of football) and recognizing how beautiful it can be.
You forgot the most important reason for Messi's (misunderstood) "walking" in the last third of the pitch. He does so to keep attached to him normally four enemy players --the number of men that on average most defensive arrays need to quickly build a "cage" (that hopefully) would neutralize his movements. If he keeps walking the defense "glued" to him stays along freeing up space so that the actions of the rest of his teammates in the attack becomes more fluid.
I'm not sure if people really understand how amazing the inter miami transfers are, Jordi Alba, top tier left back and current captain of the spanish national team, Sergio Busquets, previous winner of the world cup, ex-Barcelona captain and one of the most decorated players (trophy-wise) ever and Lionel Messi (obviously), one of if not the greatest footballer of all time, paired with the fact that all are former Barcelona teammates with a lot of chemistry
For Messi he is playing against little boys that how easy it is and that how good he is, but still it’s an underrated achievement to carry a bad team to the top us will remember that 🐐
The fact that miami was ass and the lowest rank team before messi is crazy. I went to go watch a inter Miami game vs orlando and it almost looked like Miami was too scared to go on an offensive .
Anybody who is questioning Messi, has not watched football for very long. Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho. These 3 players made this game the best sport in the world for a LONG TIME. Ronaldinho not so much for as long but he was a class of player nobody has ever seen, Messi just never gave up. Ronaldo and Messi have always been on the same level for over a CENTURY!! One level above everybody else.
The world cup is the biggest competition in football, he hasn't done yet anything in the MLS that he didn't do in the world cup and it's less than a year since he dominated the world cup in a similar way
Messi is the greatest player to ever play the game. And the World Cup proved he was still playing at a high level. That said, the MLS is atrocious. Being generous it's maybe English League One level.
He has been doing this everywhere. If the reason was that MLS is that bad, then Messi would not have been able to toy with teams like Netherlands, Poland, Mexico, Croatia and Australia at his age. Messi is just lightyears ahead of any other football player on earth
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
He's that good, even better actually. He just did the same thing in the World Cup. Dominated there, and would do the same anywhere at this moment. He is seeing the game at a different level, and still has just enough of the athletic ability he needs to execute what he sees far ahead of the rest. It won't last long, it's a special window. Let's just be thankful we get to witness.
It's so funny how clear it is that americans are now discovering football, and are getting to know the goat's greatness. They've got much to learn in this sport, after just watching mls
When Messi passes, most of the time he hits it heavy, but it has back spin on it. This allows the ball to go past the defenders quickly and then slow down for the intended target, no one does this better than Messi.
I still feel like Messi could dominate in Europe in the right situation. Obviously at PSG, there just weren't enough soccer balls to go around between he, Neymar and M'bappe.
Both. Messi is good enough to still be in playing in top teams in top leagues. And I have seen teen leagues with better defense than the MLS. You get one of the best offensive players of all time playing in a league with no defense and this is the result. Not to mention Messi didn't join the team alone.
Dude you seem like a nice guy who is genuinely interested in the sport, just a quick recommendation to get more people taking your videos seriously is to call the sport football, it was a great video, but that is always off putting for a football analyst, it is like if a guy from I don’t know England started commenting on American football games calling it egg hand, but keep it up bro, great video
I'm a Hughe Messi fan. Watch all of his games when he was in Europe. In fact, his games were the ONLY games I would watch live. Others would be clippings. However, since he has moved to the American League, I haven't watched ONE game! I have lost interest! ANYTHING he does now won't even 'WOW' me! Because it wouldn't prove anything about his quality. It would be expected! Doing great things against QUALITY teams, are what proves one's greatness.! I saw a clip of one game and, he seemed to have no pressure on him at all. There were so much space for him to run with the ball. I believed he scored two goals in the game. One, a beautiful free kick. The other, a simple goal from a cut back with NOBODY around him that he just guided the ball into the net. In Europe, he wouldn't have that amount of space. In that situation, he would have been tackled hard, not the ease from what I saw. He could easily scored fifty goals in that completion . I'll now wait for when he is playing for Argentina, to watch him playing.
Messi is in a team that respect him, and give the ball to him all the time. A similar thing happened with Argentina. His Argentine teamates respected him immensly and gave the ball to him all the time... In contrast that was something that was not happening in PSG... That's one of the reasons that after Messi tasting the 3 major wins with Argentina in a single year (Copa America, Finalisima and World Cup (I still can't believe that happened!)) there was no going back to PSG, in a team that didn't respect him and didn't pass the ball to him as often as you would to the GOAT. So, he left. Here we can see what you can do if you just give the ball to the Man. How many straight wins for Inter Miami so far? That is the GOAT effect.
On every goal you pointed out Atlanta’s defensive miscues. Nothing Messi did was anything I haven’t seen a decent European player be able to do. I’m not saying Messi isn’t amazing, but he is tearing up MLS because it’s a huge step down from even 2 Bundesliga.
Calling Messi a cheat is the farthest thing from the truth. He’s the greatest because nobody else can do what he does with every aspect of the game. Messi also is the most humble and honest player in fútbol history. He doesn’t play for the money he plays for love of the sport. Also, he passes in opportunities he could score himself to advance his own record. He has more assists than any other player because he plays for his team not for himself. He also playing at half the speed he normally does because his teammates aren’t able to handle Messi at full speed quite yet. Being the best isn’t cheating. And he will contribute more to the MLS than anyone ever has to advance the sport here. We are damn lucky and fortunate to have Messi here to unite us with the rest of the world. MESSI, SOS UN GENIO UN CAPO Y TE AMAMOS TANTO!!! GRACIAS POR ELIGIR NUESTA PAÍS Y INTER MIAMI DE TU EQUIPO. OJALÁ TE LLEGARAA CONCER
A lot of people who havent been playing and watching football dont realize how great busquets is. He is not as great as Messi, but he is 1 of the most underrated players ever.
It is that Messi is slowing down but still a great reader of the Game He will bring to Miami a vast knowledge that he can impart on the younger players
Messi's career is so similar to Pelé that he is even doing the same thing in the MLS: coming to the US and making a difference conducting his team to greatness. Definitely a great footballer.
One thing you forget to mention is how bad the first touch Messi's teammates are. There are many good passes from Messi, but his teammates just messed up with the first touch and lost the opportunities. So, is the MLS just THAT Bad? Yes!
A little bit of both. In Europe top leagues, they rarely give Messi that much space and time (or any other player, but specially Messi). Messi is considered the GOAT by many, but he is past his prime, physically.
Messi has scored 807 goals in European competition. Has won everything and all the the hardware that others just dream of winning. He will be playing in the United States for 2 and half years and he is so good that he will get close to 900 goals. His teammates have to learn from him. Inter Miami have about 5 or 7 players under 22 years of age and they have to learn from him. Inter Miami looks and plays much better since his arrival. Then you have Busquets and Alva. They also have won many championships. So much talent. Go Inter Miami!!!!
900?? He has scored 5 in just 3 matches, so I'd say he will surpasssed that marc by the end of his career if we take into account our South American qualifiers, the Copa América and friendlies. He has 812 goals now.
@@Lucas_Tulic Team will adjust ... they are already playing tough on him ...
@@Lucas_Tulic814 goals now. An outside of the box goal and a free kick.
@@RunForPeace-hk1cuThey might stand a chance if Messi stops scoring 2+ goals per game.
@@RunForPeace-hk1cu Yes, and he still scores two goals!!! 🤣
We should be glad Messi chose Miami instead of going back to Barcelona. It will do wonders for raising the popularity of the world's most popular sport.
Glad you brought that up. I have been so happy with the popularity the MLS is getting this season so far!
@@SpreadSheetSoccerthat may have unexpected consequences once Messi leaves MLS…. Yes he is the GOAT magnet, but then once he leaves, fans will go into Messi withdrawal and just fade away similar to what happened when Pele left… as the MLS game is not world class by far!
@@Slo-ryde It depends. If MLS is smart, they will make changes to their rules about roster and salary caps. By raising their salary cap, or even getting rid of it, team owners all over the country will be able to bring more world class players to MLS. Which would then make MLS more popular, and improve the quality of the league overall.
@@nerychristian they can’t do that, most of the teams are losing money. They have no big TV contracts, and attendance averages under 20 k.
@@nerychristianif I was American I would rather have worse players than make my league into the Saudi league. Once too much money is involved, the game becomes impersonal
Zlatan and other great players have played in the MLS too, but I don't think they had this influence on everything. Messi's just that good, and he's doing it with the bottom placed team!
Zlatan also started spectacularly with a bicycle kick. David Villa carved up defenses in his brief time in NY.
@@UnknownPascal-sc2nk Not as good as Messi though, and obviously, we're talking about the best player of the world cup several months ago
He has Serigo and Jordi, they don't get much credit.
@@MP-lz1xb Actually you can, Zlatan also was a bomb in the mls. Lets see if Messi can surpass him. If Messi wins one of the cups this season. He has surpassed Zlatan in influence on his team for sure. But than there are still the mass goals Zlatan scored. Over all of course Messi is the better player than Zlatan, but Zlatan also was older ... So you should respect him, for instance Zlatan was better at PSG than Messi, but he also had the advantage that PSG made the team around him, while Messi was on Mbappe team or a team with no clear direction or planning...
Both are legends... I mean Zlatan even beat Ronaldos Europe time... at the top leagues...
@@majormononoke8958 Zlatan played in one of the best teams in the MLS while Messi came to the worse, literally. Messi already scored 7 goals In less than 4 games giving him a better goal ratio (although it is too soon to tell if he will keep it going). Zlatan joined the MLS when he was 36 y/o, Messi is also 36. Messi had more goal contribution than any other player at PSG during his last season there. However, Zlatan's numbers were even better than Messi's every season he was there. Zlatan definitely deserves some respect as the legend he is.
In Europe we have watched Lionel Messi since his first appearance in Barcelona in 2004 (…!). Until recent I had never watched the MLS, but now having watched it I must say the level of the European top leagues (England, Germany, Spain, Italy) is a lot higher than the MLS. Messi being used to this higher level, must feel like he is playing on a playground. And that shows, he can do what he wants (with some of his old buddies!) and is happy! He’s earned that after all those years.
Am an American I have been saying this for years. Our domestic league is a joke because Americans are crybabies and want EVERY single team to be mediocre so everyone can compete. They allow for limited spending and the quality is just very ordinary.
Listen, no one holds the MLS in that high regard but other European world class talents have gone there and not done what he’s done. Let’s also not forget Miamis form before he arrived and how it is now. He joined one of the worst MLS teams and transformed them overnight. It’s impressive.
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
@@StarPulse737dont be afraid to say top 5, cuz they arent gonna be a top 5 league for much longer if eredivisie hasnt passed them already
This is totally disgrace but people are think Messi lift MSL !
That is why Zlatan came and returned to Europe.
@@StarPulse737in 21/22, Messi had 11 goals and 14 assists in 34 appearances in Ligue One. Commited more to being a playmaker behind Mbappe, he didn't do as much finishing as he did in Barca. He contributed in other facets of the game for PSG as well, and was probably their 2nd best player that season. This season was a poor season, by Messi standards. Terming it as a complete failure, however ,would be harsh
Now, the second season,
Messi had 20g and 21a in 41 appearances. Still mainly playmaking, he finished as the top assister in the Ligue and was 3 short of breaking the assist record He also scored goals crucial to their League win. This was an improved season, being probably their best player this season along with Mbappe.
There is also alot more to football than just stats, Walcott has more UCL goals than R9. Watching games would give a better reflection of a players performance and value.
Also, the French league is definitely still top 5. The list you saw is based on this current UCL alone, not an aggregate of the past 5, as UEFA usually does it to get league positions
@@StarPulse737you Ronaldo fans can be really stupid since when Messi has struggled in France or he just didn't want to be there. A Barcelona legend struggling in a team like PSG 😁Messi is above psg and he is the one responsible for mbappe redicurlers numbers.
all of his games so far have been phenomenal. inter miami feels like a pink version of barcelona at times. messi + busquets + alba is such a throwback to the glory days. and some of his inter miami team mates are playing so well with him like taylor and martinez especially. such a joy to watch these games.
Objectively Martinez is bad Campaña is better
Brp but the defense and gk is pure trash lets hope it wont affect messi contribution
There you go again! Little mess wouldn’t be anything without the back bone of Busquete, alba and others that are forced to work for the prat. He was ok in Barcelona thanks to Eniesta, xavi as soon they left? He became a no one that’s why he runaway to the farmers league (France) but even there he was a mediocre.
Wake up people stop putting a n average player made up by the media and hater’s of the goat RONALDO
@@tonyaraujo1388 your completely Delusional Ronaldo has almost always had a better team.
I agree with everything except the Martinez part. He’s their weak link and just isn’t meshing with the rest. Cremaschi, though. Wow.
So many opportunities now to learn for the youngsters playing in the MLS. Messi, Alba, Busquets in the MLS is valuable for ALL the players in the MLS. Now all defenses can be sharpened, all attacks can be sharpened, all mid-field play can be sharpened! Oh boy, what a treat!
Yes! This is exactly my thoughts as well. No matter what the level is, you get better by playing against better players.
cuz of one player????!!
the real opportunity for you yanks is to embrace the real football and stop calling it soccer...this is the moment... Messi doesn't plays 'soccer', he plays FOOTBALL at his ultimate instances... and he went there to show you all yanks the way to proper play the game... FOOTBALL
@@sebastianbarrios2760 condescending much
@@sebastianbarrios2760 hahaha. Soccer, soccer, soccer.
Having Messi on your team is a form of cheating.
That's a good one!
Ya because the refs are always in favor for Messi
You got it Bro, it should be illegal
@@hugo_vega_1No Messi make the game one sided so
😂
What I find even more striking than watching Messi in MLS is watching Busquets. Every time he receives the ball from the center backs you can see him instinctively scanning behind, as he is facing his own goal. But the opposing press just doesnt come or comes too late. So they just let him turn and sometimes even drive the ball forwards, which you wouldnt see in a high level european game normally. The press and also the defense often times is just uncoordinated compared to what Messi and Busquets are used to, which allows them to find passes consistently.
Good point. Busquets, Xavi and Inniesta together were all about that tiki taka BECAUSE the press would come. It was build as a necessity.
In MLS that is a lot less necessary.
Thank you. I don't understand why nobody is talking about busquets
Yeah, it's just too easy for them. Both still have the skills to play at the highest level no doubt.
But their bodies aren't close to what they used to be, all this time and space is too easy for them.
@@IVIRnathanreilly yea but they could still play in Europe's highest competitions. They're both older but not washed like many people who come to MLS. If someone told me they played the champions league semifinal I wouldn't doubt it.
That's because MOST MLS players are not very skilled in the back---ALL they know how to do is kick and chase!
Messi has 3 extremely developed qualities that allow him to be the GOAT
1) Ball control - his control and dribbling skills allow him to be calm, patient and give him time to see passing lanes, theres no rush or anxiousness because he knows your not likely to get the ball away from him.
2) Accuracy - as we all can see, his accuracy in passing and shooting is probably #1 in the world and that is not really effected by age.
3) Vision - He is a smart or clever player. And because of the first two qualities he can read the pitch like a general on the battlefield and take advantage of this. While everybody else is concerned with only what is near to them Messi is not that concerned, and so he can SEE how things should develop and be steps ahead of the defenders.
If a player wants to use Messi as an example they should focus on ball control, accuracy and vision. Of coarse his level of those 3 things is the best in the world however.
plus agility and balance. he lost some of his speed and and acceleration due to age, but agility and balance are still there
You kinda explained it with the vision, but Messi by far has one of the highest ball IQs ever. When he broke Gvardiol's ankles at the WC to set up Alvarez, not once did he put his head up to see if anyone was there, because he knew someone was there to close the pass, because a striker has to be there, there's no other place for a goalscorer to be in that situation. While he struggled with people understanding him earlier in his career, I feel like the current version of Messi understands that he has to basically tell his teammates what will happen, because they don't always see what he does.
The pass in the Netherlands game too, only Messi and maybe a select other few elite playmakers make that pass, Messi didn't look for the pass, he KNEW that pass.
If i had to pick one key attribute that Messi seems to have, and it's an attribute that enables all his other qualities, it is that he processes his sensory inputs really fast and that gives him the thing all great athletes most rely on - Time. When the world runs in slo-mo for ya....
He is a very good playmaker.
Messi is the phenom. Everything said here is true but he also has an instinct and I don't think that can be taught.
Messi almost destroyed all the great players who played against him... He's doing his thing at MLS!!...
Yeah if you want to compare MLS to Europe you need to look at like, normal players.
except for Thomas muller 🤣
@@faletofaleto6748 hop off
@@faletofaleto6748he did tho, 2015
@@faletofaleto67482015?
He distroyed all european big team true out his carrier. So this is the less you can espect from the greatest player god ever created
Ronaldo is better and destroyed Bayern while pessi got destroyed by Bayern.
@@ElDragow Messi is always compared to pele and maradona, while ronaldo isn't even counted amout the top 3... and i think you forget the 2015 when messi distroy bayern and boateng... ronaldo is a great player but not in the level of messi... even the kids that star watching football during this last decade knows that🤭
@@ElDragow Messi destroyed Bayern, Boateng and Neuer in 5 seconds mate.
@@ElDragowbro forgot the 2015 ucl semi final between bayern and barca
@@ElDragow Yes Ronaldo and Real got their arses handed to them over and over by Messi and Barca for almost a decade. Ronaldo is so much better. Just ask Morocco, they cry when they hear Ronaldo's name.
Bruh..he has been the best for 15 years in europe..there is no way some people doubting him after he moves to US.its not the MLS easy,but messi making it look easy.
True, and in those 15 years across Europe and even champions league teams, making it look easy.
Zlatan made it look easy as well
@user-vn6jw4fc6h but he didn't score for fun in Europe ..you can't possibly try to say there's no difficulty disparity between Europe and MLS..a league without even a second division? .Nah that would be straight up cap.Zlatan said it. The league is too easy
the mls can't be rated as easy..because wasn't a proper league until now.
Nah, there is no denying Messi’s abilities to do it Europe but that doesn’t make MLS good
Appreciate this analysis and the way it shows that Messi rarely makes a bad pass, but the team needs to work toward reaching the ball where Messi puts it. He puts it exactly where it needs to be to score, whether his teammates make it to the mark in good form is what is missing. I think this will improve for the simple fact that his team will KNOW the ball is not just being passed, it is offered as a goal if you get there.
No matter where he goes, he’s just that good! That’s why he is the king of football, the greatest of all times!
Goat
not true, his french excursion was very underwhelming
@@HENNYODEACEROdifficult to play in france when the country is against you.
@@HENNYODEACERO all of a sudden 32 goals and 34 assists in 70 games in now considered bad. Just shows Messi's standard. He played a different role for PSG role and still was their best player this season ahead of PSG golden boy
I agree. This is why ronaldo is the best
Imagine Messi in his prime playing in the MLS.
He wouldn't play there in his prime😂
@@ARTDEVGRU247 I know, but imagine what he would do with the MLS-Defenders 😆.
@@ARTDEVGRU247 no fucking shit
He probably would get like 30-40 goals a season. Its impossible to get over 40-50 goals if your teammates suck
@@xB0505he’s scoring every game lol , a prime Messi would easily score 60+ , hell I’d say 70+
It's both. 8 months ago Messi was selected player of the match and player of the tournament winning the world cup. At the same time the MLS is like college basket compared to the MBA
I keep hearing about the World Cup and indeed he was FANTASTIC. But it was his last chance to win the tournament, he had a very good team this time and he went HARD for it. It's a 1 month tournament. He litterally surprised everyone, not because we discovered his god level but because he hadn't played so nicely, ran so much in years. We can't forget he really struggled last 4 years in CL not only with PSG but with Barca too. Even in Ligue 1 which is a very physical and defending league. Of course PSG had bad chemistry and he wasn't happy but we saw that he could not have the advantage he used to have on defenders on the first touches. Still had respectable numbers but even visually he didn't dominate.
I really don't think MLS is a bad league. But it's very obvious that it's a league that favors attacks and goals rather than proper defending. It's pretty fun to watch I have to admit but there is A LOT of space in the field. If you give Messi (and Busquets btw) the 2 seconds he didn't have anymore in Europe YEAH you gonna have a taste of prime Messi.
@@okocha971if you think he struggled the last 4 years that’s a testament to how goated he is literally won 2 Ballon d’Ors, Copa America and the WC 😂
@@OhYummmmp who said he wasn’t one of the GOAT ?? 🤨 I just said he wasn’t at his prime anymore. Yes he had two magical last tournaments with his national team. But it was sometimes way more complicated with his clubs. Not bad AT ALL but slowly going into the other side of his career.
I never liked individual trophy in a collective sport but again Messi winning Ballon d’Or has nothing to do with my point. Even out of his prime he was still the best player in 2019 for example. Not sure about the 2021 one I think Lewandowski deserved it more. Same for the 2023 I think Messi will win it but I’m rooting for Haaland or DeBruyne.
@@okocha971 No single player can carry a team to a champions league. Barcelona and PSG were nowhere near good enough to compete against the best teams those years. Messi's level wasn't the reason for that.
@@gamble777888 Agree but he was still part of these teams and individually failed a few times. I only said he was past his ultimate prime not that he became average 😅. Messi 2014 was waay better but Messi 2022 won the WC. Of course he had a better team but he was himself different. Slower but more efficient and with way more leadership.
When Messi lifts Miami to the proper level, then mls will get better which will happen anyway because that is what he does everywhere, the golden touch of goat
Yeah, MLS is as bad as all the other leagues when it comes to Messi.
It's a bit of both....also the MLS isn't bad, overall it's a decent league with good entertainment...it's the defences that are weak because most of the investment and focus is on creative attacking players because the US culture like goals, where as in somewhere like Italy their fans appreciate defences and love a 1-0 win.Think the lack of promotion/ relegation system makes a massive difference to a MLS and the fans. It raises the jeopardy in each game to nerve racking levels knowing if your team struggle they could be relegated to a lower league. In the US as there's no relegation then think some of players are in awe of Messi and know he's good for their league, where as in Europe a team near the bottom are fighting for their professional lives, so there's zero respect for Messi on the field and they are much more focussed to stop Messi at any cost.
MLS is bad. Every player from Europe comes and dominates. Stop this. Did your forget. Ibra? Rooney? Beckham? All dominated
The guy is simply good He has broken through all kinds of difficult defences throughout his entire career.
@@mathewsb19951😂you acting like those player are some scrubs
@@mathewsb19951each of those players mentioned are goats
@@mathewsb19951 lmao. There are like 60+ Europeans in MLS currently... Including like 6 on Inter Miami before they even signed Messi... Taylor is a European.. lol.
First of all, excellent video. Well explained and exemplified. Great graphics. And everything right on target. This is what I've been trying to explain in multiple comments in other videos, especially those that bring out the Messi/Ronaldo rivalry. What Leo does and has done for the last 18 years is something no other player has done. The longevity alone has no parallel. But also, on the road to developing his football IQ throughout the years, he showed us every facet of the total and most complete football player, dominating every aspect of the game, especially the brains of it. And... with exemplary behavior, both on and off the pitch.
Having said all that, it has been said that MLS teams spend on forwards and creative players and not on defenders. This is probably the reason why skillful players shine and defenders are made to look pretty naïve, which they are. Defending has two fundamental tools--the personal technical defending skills and the tactical defending and transitioning. The MLS needs much improvement in both. Coaches are going to have to develop defenders, and most of all, defenses.
Inter Miami did something very smart in this respect. They brought over a midfield boss like Busquets, and a wing back like Alba, both of whom played with Messi for years. With this triangle the team covers a lot of ground, and they make the rest of the team play to their tune. They still have some weaknesses in defense that are going to have to be resolved, but when you have so much fire power, it sort of makes up for it. That's how you get a 4-4 score.
Very well said and thank you!
What part of Messi's game is something that has never been done before? How is he complete if he has glaring weaknesses in his game? How has his longevity been that impressive when his decisiveness in big game has been gone since 2019 whereas his perceived rival was still on that level till 2022?
@@sskmanentsa5326hé wasnt decisive in the world cup final or in the copa? Stfu man you’re making me laugh
@@sskmanentsa5326 I used to think Penaldo-stans where the most pathetic nuthugging fan-bois on the planet. Then I read their comments in every Messi post on the internet and realized I was wrong: Penaldo-stans are the most pathetic nuthugging fan-bois in the known universe.....
Well said.
Excellent breakdown of tactics and game play.
Thanks mate!
This man first hattrick is on ElClasicco match so...
Exactly messi breeds in big moments yes he had his misses but he is too good he is the personification of THE FOOTBALL player plus he is a great human too
Messi is a phenomenon, he's from another planet. As for the MLS the league is not bad, it's inexperienced and world class players will make the MLS more competitive. 🔥⚽️🇦🇷
We can’t say that the MLS is bad if so then all other leagues he played in is bad too because he dominated in all the leagues the guy is the GOAT so he going to make playing the game looks easy
Definitely
Yes but against the elite of players around the world. The MLS has potential in the future but right now is not a good league. Entretaining maybe, but not a good one in comparission to the rest of the world. So yes, we can say is bad and it´s not a bad thing to say when other sports in that country have been dominating the audience and the interest of athletes there and the type of culture wich i think is important too. Is good that futbol is watched with other eyes maybe and this could inspire new generations to play the sport, your country has a lot of people, infrastructure and money to make it happen.
Sure he's the GOAT but c'mon, CONCACAF was always one of the weakest football leagues nevermind the MLS
MLS is bad. Every player from Europe comes and dominates. Stop this. Did your forget. Ibra? Rooney? Beckham? All dominated also Messi did not dominate in France. Had Messi Mbappe and Neymar but won nothing.
@@mathewsb19951
They won league 1
Messi is that good, he’s the best player the sport has been graced to witness 😮 outstanding
Messi is a beast!
You can put LeBron James in German basketball league and when he posts big numbers say that the league sucks, yes the league is not the best in the world but the guy is still one of tge GOATs… Even now, they did not bring a pensioner way past his prime as sometimes happens, now who else now is better than him over all, as goal scorers Haaland, Mbappe ok, but overall?
Not sure if that's a good comparison since barely anybody in europe knows anything about basketball so nobody knows how good or bad german league is or how good Lebron James is compared to other basketball players except what they might hear. People can't really compare it to anything. There's never been a comparison because basketball is really big in only one country and NBA is quite isolated. With football it's very different, there's many ways how to compare, good players and clubs all around the world, fans regularly see players, clubs and teams from every corner of the earth so it's easy to establish how good a player is compared to other. Similar with leagues although it's a bit more complicated.
@@damasek219 who is Lebron James?
@@olivechakraborty8407 basketball player
@@damasek219 Basketball is definitely not only big in the United States. Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brasil (among others) have many important teams and players.
@@ifacro I've heard of Lithuania and Serbia and yes, basketball is big in Lithuania and quite big in Serbia, but nowhere near football in any of the other countries you mentioned and even in Serbia, the worlds powerhouse of basketball, it's nowhere near football, let alone in Argentina or Spain. They do have big clubs but only relative non-basketball countries. They are far behind USA in terms of popularity even in their home countries.
MLS is now not bad with Messi around. The European league is now bad without Messi.😊
Europe is not bad without Messi, just less good.
Hala Madrid
@@luisbranco 🤮🤮🤮🤮
@@luisbranco NO
Nonsense. Messi was not particularly good at PSG, even though the French league is only the fifth best in Europe. The MLS is shit, old European-based pros regard it as a retirement league. It is so weak that they can prolong their career there by a few years.
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
For Ronaldo fans even MLS is "Rigged" 💀.
MLS already has a CR7
"Is Messi that good playing 'soccer?" is just a cute candid question that makes a Football fan chuckle. It's like seeing a few Basketball games and going, "this Jordan fellow is handy isn't he?"
It's just a combination of both tbh. Players like Messi (and a very few other) are genuine Historical talent! And despite the improvement of MLS (that is better than many other football leagues imo) it is still not at the highest level when compared to the Top Leagues around the world. But imo, the best anyone can do when you have a player like Messi is to just enjoy the magical moments he can give and try to get more of those moments!
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
No MLS team would stay up in the top 8 leagues in Europe.
It's just entertainment, if they weren't playing on a pitch with a football and you could just see players moving you'd barely recognise it.
No matter how bad the MLS is (especially defending and tactics, even Inter Miami themselves included), Messiah will always be the GOAT.
Bad example. Atlanta was horrible that day. If you want to know how good Messi is, you have to watch his Qatar 2022 knockout stage matches.
I do agree that Atlanta was poor, I thought it still highlighted Messi’s ability pretty well. Although Orlando city did a lot more to keep him out of the game that I was impressed by
@@SpreadSheetSoccer Very enjoyable game vs Orlando. The analysis was spot on. I just needed to highlight how shameful Atlanta's defense was. Thanks for reading my feedback. 🇦🇷🏆🎉
Of course! Love hearing feedback on my content :)@@LucasDanielSantoro
I'm somewhat conflicted. I mean, it would be nice if a team is able to beat Inter Miami, even with Messi and Busquets, and Alba. That would prove that MLS players can beat Messi. But at the same time, I want them to stay in the tournament until the final because Messi is so fascinating to watch.
@@nerychristian Yes, I get it. It is much about the show rather than the football. For me this was Messi's retirement and as an Argentine I don't have any stakes on the MLS other than being Messi's league. If you are a fan of any other MLS team it can feel like something is broken and be very sad (or conflicting as you said).
the answer to "Is Messi THAT Good or Is the MLS just THAT Bad?" is Yes
Kaka had a lot of similar stuff when in Orlando, and times his teammates often not in the same page. Can you do an analysis from games back then?
Messi scored a hat-trick vs Real Madrid at 19 years old, 91 goals in 1 calendar year in Spain, and has every international trophy possible with Argentina - those free kicks, shots and passes are world class precision in any league.
This is a perfect example of "why not both?"
We all know the MLS is bad, and we all seen him do that kind of stuff for decades against the best national teams and world clubs.
He was constantly making that right back look like a fool, despite never being near him.
Excellent review, thanks. Please feel free to make many more 😊
Thank you!
He is that GOOD. It's not even up for discussion. Man is literally better than everyone we've seen since modern football started almost 200 years ago
Is this a serious question? Messi scored against the biggest football clubs in the World.
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
@@StarPulse737Exactly, this league reminds me of some Sunday leagues I used to play in, the defence is abysmal 😂
Messi just has so much more space to work with. I think next season when they understand how to play against messi it will be better
People want to crap on the MLS players, but they fail to remember how Messi was making European footballer's look like a bunch of amateurs on the field as well. Everywhere he goes and plays, he will make the rival team looking like an embarrassment.
He made the greatest club in history actually on knees crying from anger
Not true. Not sure if you're a new football fan. But go and check are atats and performances in the French league. The mls is just the weak. If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
@@StarPulse737 Weak compared to Europe for now. The sport is still fairly young here compared to other countries. So the development here was very slow in the beginning, but has recently grown pretty fast. I'm confident that will change and we will be a force to be reckoned with. I remember watching the U.S. when I was a little kid and how bad they played. The players played very tight close together and not spread out. No technique. Very sloppy. I didn't like soccer back then. Not back then when Diego Maradona played in the 80s-90s. My mother had always been a fan of the sport and I would sometimes sit down and watch it for a little. I remember the sport was not embraced here in the U.S. as it is today. Even by me. I was part of the stigma that soccer was a weak sport. Had I been a little kid today, I would praise the sport and not mock it. It wasn't until the early 2000's when I started to embrace the sport. It still not loved by many here. But the newer generations are embracing it and it will be the main sport here. I will be old by that time.
@G34RH34D compared to Europe? Argentina has a better league, Brazil, as a better league. Football here in Europe is a street sport in the US for the rich. No relegation, no homegrown players, free academies. Hopefully, it will pick up, but I highly doubt it.
Messi is a beast man i wish i could have seen a Messi /Ronaldo team up
I also think when he’s not on the ball, he positions himself in a way to spread the other players around where he thinks they should be to get a good spread for triangulation going. It’s like he’s controlling the others remotely.
Absolutly. And I think that if you ask him, he doesnt really know how he does that. Its just natural.
Acosta has been doing something similar for FC Cincinnati the past year and a half which is why Cincinnati was able to go from last to first in such a short time. Messi and Inter Miami are the only team and player I'm scared of now as an FCC fan. Messi is just on another level when it comes to reading a defense and making the perfectly timed pass.
Messi is god. The goat. In argentina, barcelona now in miami it is like same. No bullshit.
But in psg players are like selfish no pass nothing only run. Thats why they lose.
They will not admit it though. Messi wanted to manage PSG in the field but too many egos burnt him. Lucky we are that Miami leaves him to be the goat he is so now we are talking big time!!!
A tiny unappreciated detail in that first goal is in his shot, he bounces the ball over the defender knowing they would most likely slide. Absolutely genius
True!
@@SpreadSheetSoccer great video mate! Well thought out and presented!
Both. The answer is both.
😂 true
😂
I don't blame you for posing the question albeit to get views, I won't judge. But you gotta remember that Messi is way past the average max age for mainstream club football. And the guy has literally achieved almost everything as a player. If you want to know his game and capabilities better you need to dig up the football archives.
Ronaldo fangirls: It's rigged
I'm glad he gets to play with Busquets and Alba - his old teammates. And he seems to still be him - a passionate player ♥. Hope they treat this legend well in his final years 🙏
both
Great fucking video dude, i appreciate seeing Americans understanding football beyond acting/filming scenes (which is the cancer of football) and recognizing how beautiful it can be.
Thank you! Love to hear stuff like this
The MLS is that bad.
You forgot the most important reason for Messi's (misunderstood) "walking" in the last third of the pitch. He does so to keep attached to him normally four enemy players --the number of men that on average most defensive arrays need to quickly build a "cage" (that hopefully) would neutralize his movements. If he keeps walking the defense "glued" to him stays along freeing up space so that the actions of the rest of his teammates in the attack becomes more fluid.
Mls stiff, european league a diff breed
I'm not sure if people really understand how amazing the inter miami transfers are, Jordi Alba, top tier left back and current captain of the spanish national team, Sergio Busquets, previous winner of the world cup, ex-Barcelona captain and one of the most decorated players (trophy-wise) ever and Lionel Messi (obviously), one of if not the greatest footballer of all time, paired with the fact that all are former Barcelona teammates with a lot of chemistry
I have never looked at MLS highlights until Messi came to America.
For Messi he is playing against little boys that how easy it is and that how good he is, but still it’s an underrated achievement to carry a bad team to the top us will remember that 🐐
The fact that miami was ass and the lowest rank team before messi is crazy. I went to go watch a inter Miami game vs orlando and it almost looked like Miami was too scared to go on an offensive .
Anybody who is questioning Messi, has not watched football for very long. Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho. These 3 players made this game the best sport in the world for a LONG TIME. Ronaldinho not so much for as long but he was a class of player nobody has ever seen, Messi just never gave up. Ronaldo and Messi have always been on the same level for over a CENTURY!! One level above everybody else.
The world cup is the biggest competition in football, he hasn't done yet anything in the MLS that he didn't do in the world cup and it's less than a year since he dominated the world cup in a similar way
Brilliant analysis. Great job!
Thank you!
Messi is the greatest player to ever play the game. And the World Cup proved he was still playing at a high level.
That said, the MLS is atrocious. Being generous it's maybe English League One level.
He has been doing this everywhere. If the reason was that MLS is that bad, then Messi would not have been able to toy with teams like Netherlands, Poland, Mexico, Croatia and Australia at his age. Messi is just lightyears ahead of any other football player on earth
If only there was some kind of record of what he has done before, we wouldn’t have to rely on analysis’ like this to figure out if he’s good or not…🤔
jajjajajajajja!!!!!!!!!!!!! sharp as a knife!!!!!!!! argentooooooooo
If you know anything about how much he struggled in the French league to the point where he only scored 9 goals in one season. And seeing how much ease he's getting in the MLs, it's obvious. The amount of space and lack of technical ability in the Mls compared to the French league, which isn't even a top 4 league in Europe, says it all.
‘Is Messi that good?’ isn’t a question we should be asking at this point. He’s definitely that good. He’s always been.
He's that good, even better actually. He just did the same thing in the World Cup. Dominated there, and would do the same anywhere at this moment. He is seeing the game at a different level, and still has just enough of the athletic ability he needs to execute what he sees far ahead of the rest. It won't last long, it's a special window. Let's just be thankful we get to witness.
It's so funny how clear it is that americans are now discovering football, and are getting to know the goat's greatness. They've got much to learn in this sport, after just watching mls
When Messi passes, most of the time he hits it heavy, but it has back spin on it. This allows the ball to go past the defenders quickly and then slow down for the intended target, no one does this better than Messi.
I still feel like Messi could dominate in Europe in the right situation. Obviously at PSG, there just weren't enough soccer balls to go around between he, Neymar and M'bappe.
Both. Messi is good enough to still be in playing in top teams in top leagues. And I have seen teen leagues with better defense than the MLS. You get one of the best offensive players of all time playing in a league with no defense and this is the result. Not to mention Messi didn't join the team alone.
Jordan, Gretsky, Messi. These are the athletes that dominate their contemporaries and are true GOATs.
Having a 99 in a league of 60-70s. This is like having Bryant / McDavid stepping into european leagues.
Messi is playing football while the MLS teams are still playing soccer. That's the main difference.
Who is this bro with this title after decades of Messi in another part of the world? 🤔🫡
Dude you seem like a nice guy who is genuinely interested in the sport, just a quick recommendation to get more people taking your videos seriously is to call the sport football, it was a great video, but that is always off putting for a football analyst, it is like if a guy from I don’t know England started commenting on American football games calling it egg hand, but keep it up bro, great video
That Taylor dude is really good as well.
The goat Robert Taylor
This is the funniest video. This man is literally the greatest football player ever. He makes every competition look inadequate.
I'm a Hughe Messi fan. Watch all of his games when he was in Europe. In fact, his games were the ONLY games I would watch live. Others would be clippings.
However, since he has moved to the American League, I haven't watched ONE game! I have lost interest! ANYTHING he does now won't even 'WOW' me! Because it wouldn't prove anything about his quality. It would be expected! Doing great things against QUALITY teams, are what proves one's greatness.!
I saw a clip of one game and, he seemed to have no pressure on him at all. There were so much space for him to run with the ball. I believed he scored two goals in the game. One, a beautiful free kick. The other, a simple goal from a cut back with NOBODY around him that he just guided the ball into the net. In Europe, he wouldn't have that amount of space. In that situation, he would have been tackled hard, not the ease from what I saw. He could easily scored fifty goals in that completion .
I'll now wait for when he is playing for Argentina, to watch him playing.
Both. MLS is not very good, but Messi is really good at the same time and we do know both of these facts independently, they don't exclude each other.
6:08 I think the ball didn't get to the other player because he kind of gave up running for a split second and couldn't get past his opponent
Messi is in a team that respect him, and give the ball to him all the time. A similar thing happened with Argentina. His Argentine teamates respected him immensly and gave the ball to him all the time... In contrast that was something that was not happening in PSG...
That's one of the reasons that after Messi tasting the 3 major wins with Argentina in a single year (Copa America, Finalisima and World Cup (I still can't believe that happened!)) there was no going back to PSG, in a team that didn't respect him and didn't pass the ball to him as often as you would to the GOAT.
So, he left. Here we can see what you can do if you just give the ball to the Man. How many straight wins for Inter Miami so far? That is the GOAT effect.
Messi is doing basically what all of us did in videogames carrer modes
On every goal you pointed out Atlanta’s defensive miscues. Nothing Messi did was anything I haven’t seen a decent European player be able to do. I’m not saying Messi isn’t amazing, but he is tearing up MLS because it’s a huge step down from even 2 Bundesliga.
Calling Messi a cheat is the farthest thing from the truth. He’s the greatest because nobody else can do what he does with every aspect of the game. Messi also is the most humble and honest player in fútbol history. He doesn’t play for the money he plays for love of the sport. Also, he passes in opportunities he could score himself to advance his own record. He has more assists than any other player because he plays for his team not for himself. He also playing at half the speed he normally does because his teammates aren’t able to handle Messi at full speed quite yet.
Being the best isn’t cheating. And he will contribute more to the MLS than anyone ever has to advance the sport here. We are damn lucky and fortunate to have Messi here to unite us with the rest of the world.
MESSI, SOS UN GENIO UN CAPO Y TE AMAMOS TANTO!!!
GRACIAS POR ELIGIR NUESTA PAÍS Y INTER MIAMI DE TU EQUIPO. OJALÁ TE LLEGARAA CONCER
As a Barcelona fan im very Happy Lio is in Miami. just enjoy it
A lot of people who havent been playing and watching football dont realize how great busquets is. He is not as great as Messi, but he is 1 of the most underrated players ever.
It is that Messi is slowing down but still a great reader of the Game He will bring to Miami a vast knowledge that he can impart on the younger players
The man is really really good of soccer, Messi is the Goat, great video awesome explanation
God has send his only son to show the world what football looks like n how we should play! Messi not only goat but also the GOD OF FOOTBALL ⚽️
That wasnt the easiest finish my man. First touch and weak foot and extremely accurate.
also Martinez´s fake was great
Messi's career is so similar to Pelé that he is even doing the same thing in the MLS: coming to the US and making a difference conducting his team to greatness.
Definitely a great footballer.
Who’s was to think the GOAT be in the US! This is wonderful!
One thing you forget to mention is how bad the first touch Messi's teammates are. There are many good passes from Messi, but his teammates just messed up with the first touch and lost the opportunities. So, is the MLS just THAT Bad? Yes!
Messi in the MLS is like playing my career on FIFA with sliders
A little bit of both. In Europe top leagues, they rarely give Messi that much space and time (or any other player, but specially Messi). Messi is considered the GOAT by many, but he is past his prime, physically.