The Tactical Evolution of Lionel Messi | How Messi has changed | Messi Tactical Analysis

In this video we take a look at how Messi went from a scrawny left winger to a 5 time balon dór winner. We see how his role has changed playing under Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola, luis Enrique, Valverde and more.
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[@FootballMadeSimple]

Let me know if you enjoyed the video! Your feedback lets me know what types of videos you enjoy and what you don't.

[@davidsabillon5182]

That was really helpful 👍🇺🇸

[@SULLY937]

CR7 next 🙏🏾

[@fredrikandredahl-andersen2757]

Make one for Neymar!

[@fredrikandredahl-andersen2757]

Good video!

[@slicdon2609]

We will like to see more videos of messi .

[@marlonoloo1677]

Imagine this. Messi dribbles less than he used to but still has the highest dribbles per game count in Europe's top 5 leagues.

[@MM-fo8fp]

no he has not. He is 6th on the list

[@agnikaineverdies7646]

Marlon Oloo, Messi attempts more dribbles than he did in his prime but because he isn’t as good, he has less completed dribbles

[@agnikaineverdies7646]

Aryan Sharma, omg Messi’s success rate keeps decreasing but since he still has a similar number of dribbles then he must attempt much more

[@agnikaineverdies7646]

Siddhant Jhaveri, no check Messi’s dribbling stats His number of attempted dribbles remain very similar but his number of successful dribbles have decreased

[@silloweet]

Hazard before moving was in front of him pretty sure

[@crictube3954]

Evolution of messi : from a normal kid to an alien...Loved the video

[@FootballMadeSimple]

He's unreal

[@bangmikhail6043]

He was never a normal human since kid though

[@manofgod7622]

From a normal kid to kid that take a steroids (i dont mean it like hate)

[@hrpproductions53]

Always an alien

[@RS-vm9vb]

He was already

[@zinkazama4612]

After the departure of Xavi , Messi developed more as a play maker and when Iniesta left he took more responsibilities ... He's definitely the best He got the golden Boot Most assists in the history of La liga Most successful dribbles

[@alef7381]

Most assists in the history of football* 😉

[@vb2388]

Messi 2014-2019 is the greatest version of a football player ever put on the pitch.. He could literally do anything on the pitch..

[@danyosuna7276]

Guy walks on the pitch and it's the best goalscorer and assistant out there. just phenomenal

[@varshakulkarni790]

6 ballon dors,6 golden boots,6 pichichis,4 uefa best,FIFA best,4 ucls,world cup golden ball,11 world cup contributions,world cup runner up,only footballer to win laureus best award,most assists in history,most la Liga goals in history,most goals in a calendar year in history,most ucl goals in a single match,most number of dribbles ever in Europe,most number of man of the matches,only 1official red card in history,u19 world cup winner,Olympic gold medalist,Ladies and gentleman LIONEL MESSI The greatest footballer to ever play the beautiful game

[@phenomenon2.718]

7th ballon d'or 👽

[@user-sp6oy9sk9k]

7 ballon d or and a world cup 👽👽👽

[@nicestguyinhouse6112]

@@user-sp6oy9sk9k Haha well judged man

[@ras348]

1 world cup🇦🇷💯

[@vladorac6]

@@nicestguyinhouse6112 well probably 8 ballon dors if Messi keeps performing will this season

[@lwandolwandop1052]

just dicoverd this channel today.. great analysis bro

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Thanks so much!

[@zeeshanakram5065]

Thank God you made video about Messi, you dont know how much i am thankful to you,keep it up bro. Actually i am fan of this channel and Messi, it is real treat for me. Stay blessed

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Thanks you very much mate means a lot

[@suyezlee6650]

The ppl who complain on Messi walking on the pitch should watch this video .

[@adamwondero9283]

Suyez Lee those people should watch episode 6 of this is football on Amazon

[@HashimyHuseini]

Do they know he is 33 and he is not a body-builder, also if he got exhausted or injured his team would suffer severly without him.

[@mariusgrorud2362]

And here we are a few years, a few Ballon d'Ors, and a few international trophies later. World Champion Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 I chose the right GOAT all those years ago 🐐

[@srelma]

So lucky to be alive now and seeing Messi and Ronaldo playing the best football ever. Even with no trophies for Argentina, Messi has no match in the history of football. I hope he continues at least to World Cup 2022.

[@mortripie2915]

This channel is so underrated. You earn my sub. Thanks

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Thanks so much

[@carlossol9386]

Best footballer in history. A pleasure seen him playing.

[@jadchahhal1748]

He needs to go back to that false nine role and Barca need to buy bernado silva and de bruyne or players that are very similar to them. Frenkie de jong is a good start. But bernado silva and de bruyne offer great passing and control of the midfield which allows Messi to roam free in that false 9 role. Add proper wingers and not only is Barca back but Messi too with more goals than he scores now.

[@FootballMadeSimple]

IT would be hard to get them out of City I think

[@jadchahhal1748]

@@FootballMadeSimple It would be hard that's true but money talks these days and getting the chance to play with Messi in his final years is a flattering offer. And who knows maybe if Guardiola ends up coming back to Barca next season after not having won the ucl with mancity for the 4th season in a row, he can maybe convince them. Who knows.

[@dagmawihaile2802]

@@jadchahhal1748 Yeah

[@HenSt-gz7qj]

Dembele is actually good, but he's too prone to injury unfortunately. Coutinho should be able to fill in the creative midfielder role (instead of starting on the LW) but there's also Arthur who can operate as no.8 ... Griezmann is actually a wasteful signing (IMO) as his role is similar to Messi, should've gone for maybe Sane or even Martial (should've been cheaper than Griezmann). could also play in a narrow formation with Messi-Coutinho as the creative duo , De Jong-Busquets as the defensive midfield duo (Arthur can rotate in on either attacking or defensive side) , then Suarez and Griezmann as the two strikers (442diamond or 4222). With 2 holding midfielders helping the defense, the full backs can move forward further to widen the pitch too.

[@teletubbypo318]

KDB or neymar would sort this team out and return them to the top of the pecking order

[@SomyYT]

fantastic analysis man. thank you

[@FootballMadeSimple]

No problem!

[@reynaldocastaneda4712]

I been watching this video every time I came across on YT and I still enjoy your take on Messi's evolution. Thanks Man!

[@essio10]

Messi 👑👽🐏 forever the God of football

[@kristiyanmechev4671]

great videos really, sadly this channel is so underrated, surely this will change soon with such quality content

[@3un4j0]

Now the team is ruined Valverde out

[@sabus1265]

#BartomeuOut you gotta take out the guy at the top

[@hankstorm3135]

@@sabus1265 I'd say both, send em in the same car back, saves some costs.

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

He will play more like Xavi or Pirlo while still making runs forward and unbelievable goals from time to time

[@AJ-lh4fp]

pretty decent prediction wow

[@kaurshaijal4203]

@@AJ-lh4fp not at all, he's not scoring from time to timr

[@AJ-lh4fp]

@@kaurshaijal4203 i said pretty decent not perfectly accurate and spot on

[@kaurshaijal4203]

@@AJ-lh4fp that's y what I'm saying ,, it's simple u don't rate messi if u think this was decent season for messi scoring wise.... He's the same who scored 50 goals in league

[@kaurshaijal4203]

@@AJ-lh4fp how the standards have fallen 😂😂😂

[@ukaszschab9460]

Good job! Really professional :) i am glad, thath i can see this video. I hope to see more of them !

[@ali.khosro]

It has been 4 years since this video and the evolution is still going on. Now he walks, points to the young attacker where to position themselves, and goes way back behind midfielders and distributes the ball and plans the attack.

[@shanelamar8857]

I love u for this ❤️

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Thanks Shane!

[@jasmined7822]

This is a great video, keep it up. This channel will be huge one day.

[@sahilkatarmal5599]

And now he does almost ALL the goals

[@sunnyxdays1918]

He's simply the best !!!

[@lionnelmessi5910]

Messi from teenager to god😌😌

[@FootballMadeSimple]

True

[@soccerlegend7774]

Just found this channel I watched the ronaldo one then watched this, well organised content I love it. I instantly subscribed and turned on notifications

[@kanishksharma1716]

A great video!

[@muhammedjasim1155]

Now messi came to midfield and orchestrate the football ✌️

[@danielgalea]

For me, center midfield is not going to happen. It's a tactical nightmare which is unsolvable. Not matter what he wouldn't be able to cope with the defensive demands of the system. Nowadays, football has become like basketball. No matter which position you play, even as a striker, your defensive contribution is crucial. You can see the difference it has on the entire team when just one player isn't offering anything defensively. This is why him playing right wing now is a problem and it forces Barca go shift into a 442 defensively, which in tern gives more problems to Busquets as his role has dramatically changed because of it. Him as a center midfielder is impossible from my point of view. For me, either he becomes a 9, taking up his old false 9 role or he continues as he is now. Basically a free role in attack and defence. If he goes back to being a false 9 (best case scenario in my view) then Barca will need to find forwards with a profile to match. Coutinho doesn't fit that profile, nor does Griezmann if he is signed.

[@vishavdeepsingh7790]

You are right because of stamina at this age he cant play in midfield . But you are wrong at one thing . Griezmann will definitely fit the profile to play one the one side of wing if messi is playing false 9 . Although im not big fan of griezmann but he can do almost every thing which pedro and villa did at that position . He can score goals , make forward runs , good at dribbling , can score with head , good definsive contribution , good positioning . I do not think any better player is available than him.

[@niespeludo]

You're absolutely right and that's exactly the reason Semedo doesn't get any playing time at all and Sergi does as a RB. It is also the reason most goals conceded for Barcelona come from that flank as well.

[@user-ui7ph7vo9e]

Griezmann absolutely fits that profile. As much as I don’t like him off the pitch, on the pitch he can score goals, assist, press better than all of our forwards, and has a good work rate is more mobile than Suarez and Coutinho.

[@enoc684040]

a CAM Messi sounds good

[@azzaarsyada5104]

He can try Pirlo position, midfielder who control with less defensive duty

[@miguelhernandez1407]

This was dope. Thanks.

[@sriharsha9640]

Great video ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@alandkamaran6231]

Ah leo, you're the greatest ❤

[@godofegypt4266]

love how you gave ibrahimovic a giant head

[@matthewpanggabean5415]

Great vidd

[@lesliekay2097]

He won't be playing in a middle field trio, fantastic as he is he'd just be a defensive liability. It would be just too much for him to accustom himself back to doing more pressing after his recent spell of playing as a creative stroller .

[@FootballMadeSimple]

I see your point. Don't you think if they have de Jong and maybe Sergio holding he can play at the tip just off the striker? Or where do you think he'll go as he ages

[@lesliekay2097]

@@FootballMadeSimple with a mobile due like those two you've mentioned, definitely, it really pains me that players like Ozil and James are basically be banished from the beautiful game as it grows. But if anyone can reinvent the CAM position in a purely organized 4-2-3-1, it him.

[@vetenksS4]

@@FootballMadeSimple You should look for Lucien Favre current system (4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1) with Reus as 'special' 10 who is the real striker in the system.

[@bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

@@vetenksS4 Reus is better defensively and works harder on the pitch

[@Syamkumareee29]

Subscribed before watching Just for Messi ❤️ Great video 👍

[@iganpparamarta8813]

I don’t know why people hate him or even downgrade his quality just because him as one of 11 players of a team failed to win trophy or pass a stage in some tournament. The only reason I don’t like him is just because his team and he himself destroyed United twice in UCL ‘09&’11. But other than that I adore him even though I’m a United&CR fan. If you’re a supporter of Barcelona or Argentina you may hate him for some of the failure but if you’re neither fan of those teams shouldn’t you be happy because your team will benefit from his ‘bad performance’ just in case your team pitted against his team?

[@sebycalin6659]

You are amazing.

[@MsConfoundit]

Corner skills learnt quickly

[@caleblim6890]

Where should Messi shift to once his speed and pressing have dropped significantly? (I would say in another 3-4 seasons). The number 10 in a 4-2-3-1. Just focus on creating and finding space. Or into a role like that of David Silva for City last season.

[@bashirmahmud9536]

This channel is so undreted

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Thanks so much Bashir

[@bashirmahmud9536]

Any time, keep the good work

[@moaner7150]

Underrated*

[@teletubbypo318]

You should do a video of who is the greatest footballer between those whom people think are the goats like Messi, ronaldo, pele, maradona and then give a statistical definition of who is the true 🐐 (which I believe is messi)

[@teletubbypo318]

cbr9292you he can do everything the other 3 can but the other 3 can’t do what messi can do

[@teletubbypo318]

cbr9292you higiaun lost the final for Argentina yes! But I’m talking about individual abilities and trophies not team trophies. Maradona has a 0.5 goal:ratio whereas Messi had nearly 1. Pele couldn’t score freekicks and assist or pass like Messi, ronaldo cannot dribble or assist or pass like Messi

[@airtoncosta6994]

King Messi Number 1 Forever ♡

[@PaddyMcMe]

Everyone talks about him going back to being a midfield position... Do you really think a coach with even a 34/35 year old Messi would put him in midfield when his stamina is gone? No way. You put him up front, and get balls into him so he can rely on his explosive speed, dribbling and extraordinary finishing. His assists will dip but his goals will stay around the 40-50 per season mark.

[@kiennguyen2738]

8 months after your comment: messi plays as a cam, he assists more and plays far behind the penalty box, rarely see him in the penalty box, i think he will have about 20 assists per season and his goals will drop to 30 or lower

[@PaddyMcMe]

@@kiennguyen2738 Hmm, I've never seen him listed as a CAM on the team sheets this year.

[@vb2388]

Well Pochettino literally played him as a CAM in PSG.. He did his job but his goal scoring has reduced as a result..

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

He's playing in midfield as a playmaker now at 35. He's top in assists.

[@mahmoud15494]

Nice

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Thanks Mahmoud

[@abbasrivai2780]

Please add subtitle bro, we are non native dont get it all

[@adibghafur4596]

Turn on the caption to get subtitles

[@abbasrivai2780]

@@adibghafur4596 thank bro

[@adibghafur4596]

@@abbasrivai2780 pleasure

[@teletubbypo318]

I’ll save you watching the video, it goes baby to toddler to child to teenager to goat

[@chaitanyaramgirwar9004]

Please, make a video on evolution of Ronaldo too , how he has changed his game and soo.

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Great suggestion

[@needlemouse39]

and now he's a pure 10, he's adapted again at PSG

[@RyanGaming21]

The Thumbnail looks 3D

[@tohirul]

Right now LEO MESSI is the World Champion

[@aaronsempa5820]

Let's wait to see what happens at PSG

[@shehumusa5761]

2019,he won another baloondor

[@vb2388]

2021 and he won another one..

[@xander-cp5nr]

Goat

[@mohammedcassim1816]

Do one for ronaldo plz

[@FootballMadeSimple]

One coming soon

[@alisahami3548]

🐐💙❤️🔥

[@Itachi-ln9ts]

Wait is the thumbail 3d or i am seeing itt

[@muhammadmesbahkamal8512]

Well I see Messi dropping to midfield as a CM in the next 7 years if he continues to play football..Age brings restrictions and I'm pretty sure Messi will lose his speed completely by 36/37.So one way is to drop to CM and start creating chances and linking up play..

[@zirbto5749]

But that wouldn't work cause it would leave barca to vunerable defencively.

[@adrianbuck8772]

@@zirbto5749 In 4 or 5 years it will be a totally different Barcelona squad. If he plays that long with Barcelona he will be likely play similar to Xavi in his last year at Barcelona.(In that case) He will play less games, no national team and trys to focus on the big time games and likely get substituted around the 60th-80th minute because he cant keep up the pace the way the way younger players will in taff games.

[@zirbto5749]

@@adrianbuck8772 He can't even keep up right now in terms of distance why should He drop into a Role where He has to run far more

[@adrianbuck8772]

@@zirbto5749 In 2023 or 2024 he will have lost his speed to be really effective as a striker. Also given that Barca has 70% possesion in most of the games and will press once they lose the ball its not as much running as it would in other teams. Also he will have to jog more but will have to sprint way less.

[@zirbto5749]

@@adrianbuck8772 but for the press to be effektive He has to Cover far more distance or He will just have to stay forward even right now barca can't really press any oponnets because of players like messi who don't press (or like suarez) which makes them far worse on defense

[@muhammademraanseo]

Make how he dribbles analysis

[@nakdickson]

Why is there no ads in your video?

[@BOT_Hajko]

please do a video about Neymar :D

[@udeanbambang1703]

imagine villa, etoo, and messi playing the same time

[@iamconfusion9042]

It's not-'Lion'el Messi, it's 'Leon'el Messi.😑😑😑

[@asel1124]

His is name is Lionel Messi.

[@iamconfusion9042]

@@asel1124 R u dumb? I was correcting his pronunciation of Messi's name

[@supasf]

It depends on the accent lmao, you don't have to make a big deal about it.

[@subhajitdey9003]

now messi won another ballon d'or

[@Porklover123]

Messi is the Best the world has ever seen.... There will be never a player like him again... He is a superman... He can do all things...He doesn't depend on penalties and tap in's for a living... He actually plays and not like the other one who stands near the penalty box without doing anything 😂

[@user-yw2ny4it3h]

Can you prove Messi played as a left winger at La masia? Im pretty sure he played as a striker or on the right wing.

[@jaredscott3383]

In the first to seasons of Barcelona 2004-2005 and 2005-06 he played on the left wing

[@user-yw2ny4it3h]

@@jaredscott3383 Nope. Ronaldinho played there.

[@jaredscott3383]

Ronaldinho was there but when Messi played Ronaldinho dropped into midfield and a different formation would exist

[@user-yw2ny4it3h]

@@jaredscott3383 That absolutly never happened. Ronaldinho in the midfield? What?!

[@jaredscott3383]

He sometimes played as an attacking midfielder

[@apollo-9725]

I don't know why some idiots compare goat messi to other players

[@raj6913]

Next video cr7 s evolution please 😊

[@M4ManuCHMD]

What evolution...? A winger beast to a tapinner..

[@namorkukulkan_98]

@@M4ManuCHMD , he thinks cr is a good footballer and you don't like it so you say this. Every person has their own opinion.

[@M4ManuCHMD]

@@namorkukulkan_98 So That's it.. I posted my opinion.. What's ur problem then?

[@mohammadabulkalamazad5219]

Raj Bhatia yess

[@lionnelmessi5910]

From showboat to true striker now sadly penaldo and tapinaldo

[@studiouswadoo5027]

I think he can play for another 3-7 years at the pro level easily if he maintains his fitness and becomes a midfielder. His pace and acceleration is gone so he'd be like Toni Kroos, being hard to press and making good passes and looking for through ball opportunities. As well as being the primary free kick taker on the team

[@qye6284]

Messi pace is bot gone

[@qye6284]

Not*

[@Hahaa99]

2011-2012 Messi Vs 2014-2015 Messi

[@user-vp5ob3hc5y]

what about now

[@gerryavalos7734]

He just walks around the first 30 min then decides to play.

[@supasf]

It's that thing called waiting for opportunity you know. He won't make a run Everytime he gets the ball lol. That's stupid and a waste of energy. When he sees an opening he strikes.

[@prayudinovem2110]

You doesn't know he not have good stamina?

[@huzaif1986]

@@prayudinovem2110 take sleep pills and go to bed 😂😂

[@christianmena9664]

Evolution of Cr7 please

[@adityayadav2616]

I want a vedio on evelution of cr7

[@gobir_roz]

now do cristiano's he changed a lot his playstyle

[@damoudbamba9793]

Yes with zidan he just scores goals and now with juv he does alote of running and passing

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Added to the list!

[@marcosgazda7449]

Messi has the easisest role oat

[@mukeshchandravanshi6175]

Center me jyada effective hoga

[@bulshokaab1335]

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🎽🎽🎽🏅🏅🏅🏆🏆🏅🏅🥇♥️♥️

[@mukeshchandravanshi6175]

Highest goel scorer striker as a play

[@LaMessi22]

A

[@aclock2]

Early Evolution: Ronaldinho/Eto'o Prime Evolution: Xavi/Iniesta Post Evolution: Neymar/Suarez Devolution: Being by himself.

[@ajuaju1881]

Yes. Now Messi is the only player of Barcelona 😂😂

[@yurivanishev6182]

Very good analytical video yet again, but again you say that massi need 5 legends around him in Argentina so he can win the world cup or cupa America. Not scoring a single field goal in the last Copa America its embarrassing.

[@LaMessi22]

M

[@amirulhaziq2858]

Imo in the future Messi will play as a false nine again.

[@mihlesalman946]

are you South African? you sound SAn

[@furrycheetah]

Messi Barca vs Messi Argentina.

[@viceroy5160]

Prolly same except he has to dribble a lot n other stuff. Current Barca is same as Argentina. The only time Argentina was 20% good was 2012-2016 .

[@nihalpai7241]

Please build up on this video and update it.

[@zarifpious7046]

NO evolution For messi.... just got into the field....toying with opponent diffence......and score n score just unbelievable

[@mohamadzulhisyam6221]

DMF 😜

[@LaMessi22]

O

[@IceM4jor]

So, you say, Messi used to play on the left wing. This should immediately be banned.

[@HenSt-gz7qj]

maybe due to Messi's dominant foot being left foot ? some manager would play a left-footed player on the left hand side (like Pep usually did). but when it's someone like Messi who can also do as good with his weak foot, then that player will be versatile enough to play on either side of the wing.

[@IceM4jor]

Left WINGER would be better as a left footed player, that is right. But Messi is not a winger and he never played on the left side of the pitch. Players that cut inside, for instance from left side should be right footed. Pep Guardiola was constantly changing his tactics.

[@FootballMadeSimple]

Hi, in La Masia he played on the left sometimes as inverted wingers weren't as common, you'll notice this in most of his youth highlights. But you're absolutely right that as a full pro he doesn't play on the left. Hope this helps

[@IceM4jor]

@@FootballMadeSimple thought you were talking about senior years. Then, mb.

[@raducora7159]

In these days, the idea of left/right winger is quite deprecated in high class football. There's just 2 positions of winger. A very good one will be able to play on either side of the pitch and will often change his position with the other winger during a match. If you look at the best young wingers today, like Sancho, Hudson-Odoi, Sane, Pulisic or Dembele, you can see that they are all able to play on either wing. Not to mention Mbappe, who can play any attacking position in either 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formations.

[@chyu89]

Next Messi plays as Deep lying midfielder

[@denissuholitco5150]

Woodward out !!!

[@LaMessi22]

T

[@LaMessi22]

E

[@LaMessi22]

S

[@LaMessi22]

G

[@Phantom-ez4zv]

The mindboggling thing is he is still 31, if he had won a world cup, he will definitely be the number 1 in football history.

[@michaelalexander9386]

He just turned 32 and who Says he isn't?

[@Thesline]

He won