Where is Messi?!?!

[jhf14]

Thought he played better today (unlucky to hit the post)... but where are the dominant performances we are used to seeing from this guy?! Surely the talent he faces during club have outclassed current WC opponents... For being considered one of the best in the world, he is playing is pretty stale.

 

[bluebloodinmyveins]

So far all his best performances have been in Spain. Even in Europe for Barca, he does not play well away from Spain.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

He was better against Nigeria, he's had two very productive games so far. And he's not playing in the role he plays for Barca, he was basically playing in the middle of a 4-4-2 today, just ahead of Javier Mascherano.

 

[spikeman]

He plays down to the level of his opponents?

 

[Goat]

He probably cant believe he has to play in the same team as that Jonas, must be a shock to the poor lid.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

So far all his best performances have been in Spain. Even in Europe for Barca, he does not play well away from Spain.

17 goals in Europe over the last two seasons. That's in around 22 games.

 

[bluebloodinmyveins]

17 goals in Europe over the last two seasons. That's in around 22 games.

Most IN Spain though.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

He scored 5 of his 9 away from home the season before last when they won it.

I don't think you can say anything about Messi really. He's scored in big games, home and away, domestically and in Europe. 13 in 45 isn't amazing at International level but he does play a different, more disciplined role for Argentina.

 

[bluebloodinmyveins]

His best performances have always been in Spain though. Thats all I'm saying. So far outside of Spain he has only looked good, where in Spain he's looked a world beater. He's still the best player I've seen in years though.

 

[davek]

The Argentinian media call him 'the Catalan' - a sideways swipe at him not taking root and shining on the international stage.

Nevertheless, he's a wonderful player to watch and will put a few fancied teams to the sword here in the KO phase. Needs the WC winners medal to cement his status as world's best and I'm going to enjoy seeing him pulling his tripes out trying to secure it.

 

[stinger]

Especially against Nigeria he did look better than in the past playing for NT. He would have 2 or 3 goals, if Enyeama wouldn't make some sick saves. And even today against Korea, his presence creates so much space for teammates it's ridiculous.

 

[Rook]

He's done better than I thought in the two matches. I saw him a couple times in qualifying and he was god awful and looked like he'd rather be playing for Spain.