Not reinventing - Lionel Messi was never an orthodox winger or centre forward. It's because people are only just realising how much of a great playmaker he actually is.
It is because of the World Cup and because the manager is in his pocket, so he'll allow the search for a new balance. Martino was appointed for satisfying and reassuring Messi, say the stories. And he never was a traditional playmaker. It is like the dudes who claim that Pelé was a creator, midfielder and pass distributor (rather than a scorer primarily).
This is a thread about the most complete player of all time. Surely commenting on the best player of the current era, who happens to be extremely skilled in more than one thing is not off-topic.
Well yes you're right he doesn't really play fixed positions. But he plays majority of time in some role, which is what I meant.
I disagree. I mean, Messi has always passed a lot and made plays. Nothing new. Martino appointment for Messi? You make it too black and white: coaches are signed to get the best out of material and so the available material has to thought when a coach is signed, but to put it like you put it is just delusional thinking. Messi is not THAT powerful. Nobody also said Messi is a "traditional playmaker", no need to disagree with comments nobody made...
Ok, show me the stats that say that Messi's passing game has been at a lower level during the, say, last three years, than it is currently.
According to whoscored.com and wikipedia, Lionel Messi learnt how to pass this season... it was on the warm evening of the 22nd of January 2014, in Valencia... the air was rich with anticipation. Lionel Messi, who so far in his career had played as a tradional centre forward collected the ball 40 yards from goal. Messi had never found himself this deep before - his head told him to shoot, but this time he fought against all instinct and chose to 'pass' the ball to his teammate - accurately threading a wonderfully weighted through-ball to Cristian Tello. Tello stood mouth-wide-open, suprised to see the ball played perfectedly to his feet, Tello then finished with aplomb. Even the crowds were astounded and amazed by Messi's first assist. Now the media are crying out in excitement at Messi's new-found skill - Messi: The Playmaker (not just a goalscorer)...
Traditional playmaker no, playmaker in practice yes. Messi has the most dribbles, assists, through balls and key passes in Barcelona from 09-10, anyone who watch Barcelona knows Messi has been the main creator the last 4 seasons.
Most completed player is Christiano Ronaldo, but I like Ibrahimovic the best. Zlatan makes the most incredible goals. You compare goals of Messi, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic at http://www.fifa-info.com/Favorite-Players.htm
You know that this isn't the thing. The thing is the application of it. Playmaker = a role. No, stats don't show the intrinsic ability. But it does show the evolution into a role. The role and job in the past few games has been different - for a change I concur with Bada Bing here. Statistics do show/hint that type of things. By the way, the very same statistics back up the idea that he became less of a 'creator' after midway 2011 - as some have observed (and has passed by here a few times).
If you keep talking about stats that prove your point and fail to show them (when asked), it's not that strong, sry. Besides, "the past few games" is too small a sample size to base any wider evolutions on. Basically what he has been doing for some time now is that he shoots and passes, moves in attack and in midfield. I guess you can call that a role, but it's a very vague role, and anyway not something he has grown into lately. When there are a few consecutive matches in which he gets assists but no goals, it's hardly anything too significant as in changed role etc. Basically: nothing new. Of course he has phases when he "creates more" and "creates less", but anyway it's nothing new.
the coincidence? Both Xavi and Dani Alves were worse since 2011 then ... Iniesta were also worse from 2012 til now
Even if you consider Messi to be the best player ever, make no mistake, Lionel Messi isn't a contender for The most complete player of all-time. The history of football is just too immense and rich.
That's your opinion. My opinion is that a) it's wrong to say that he is the best ever now. We'll see when his career ends. b) he is a contender for the most complete player ever (by which I don't mean I'd say he is the #1 in this category; but a contender I'd say he is).