Lionel Messi, for many the best player in history, is about to decide his future: continue at Barça or change teams after 20 years. In this analysis we present the fundamentals of the game that Leo masters, and we present a performance prediction (thanks to Olocip) comparing his numbers at FC Barcelona and Manchester City, should he be sold to Guardiola’s team.

FUNDAMENTALS THAT MESSI MASTERS

Block: Organize the offensive game

Fundamental: Find a game in vertical progression to attack

Without any doubt, Messi has the optimal characteristics to be able to alternate vertical actions with others of much more horizontal and conservative.

In this case, as a first quality, we want to highlight his ability to seek a vertical game through deep passes. Such deep passes often target teammates on the attacking line or second-line additions in the face of defensive imbalances by the opposing team (as in the example below).

This foundation will be remarkably interesting in attackers of teams that use this type of in-depth unchecking.

Block: Organize the offensive game

Fundamental: Passing with advantage

On the other hand, a characteristic that we would like to highlight about Leo is his ability to deliver the ball to his teammates always in advantageous situations.

Thus, it is important to use passes with optimal timing so that, in this way, it is possible not only to deliver the ball to a better positioned teammate, but at the same time, we can facilitate their next action (for example, shooting, oriented control or driving ).

Mastering the passes with an advantage will be interesting for all associative players, who are used to building a game and handing the ball to their teammates in the end zones of the pitch.

Block: Take Advantage

Fundamental: Prioritize individual solutions shooting- Dribbling – Driving with the ball

Next, we present Messi’s “home brand” situation, which he usually uses in his countless right diagonals towards the center.

Thus, in these actions, his priority is to drive the ball into a position that allows them to finish on goal. In case of not achieving it as a result of the impediment on part of a rival, he uses the dribble to try to overcome it. Finally, in case of getting into said shooting zone, he uses this last option.

Interesting fundamental for any explosive player who is used to entering the finishing zone with the ball under control.

Block: Take Advantage

Fundamental: Generate advantages through control by attacking the ball

The last foundation that we want to highlight about Messi is his ability to link the action of control oriented with the next one to be executed.

In this way, this action allows you to start the 1vs1 / dribble action, start at dribbling speed or even prepare the shot on goal with great ease. As we can see in the following images, it is one of the resources he uses to overcome rivals.

Key fundamental for any player who frequently receives the ball in the end zone (especially the attacking line).

WHAT IS THE PREDICTION FOR LEO MESSI’S FUTURE?

Answering this question is already possible thanks to the artificial intelligence that is applied in Olocip. Going to the data of the past (big data) to compare the performance of a player in a different context is not worth it.

Now, with AI it is possible to perform a predictive analysis contextualizing the player in his possible new environment (club, league, teammates, coach, game system …) and thus make honest comparisons scientifically validated with the aim of reducing uncertainty and helping players professionals to make better decisions in the transfer market.

Performance prediction in relation to total dribbles

The data in relation to the total dribbles refer to the number of offensive 1vs1 actions with the intention of overcoming the direct defender that the player in question attempted.

As can be seen in the graph, the prediction tells us that their performance in relation to this data, would be notably lower in case of landing at Manchester City, in relation to the data obtained this season with F.C. Barcelona.

In this way, these data can be related to the game model of both teams, since Manchester City is a team that uses a highly associative game, where fewer 1vs1 actions appear.

Thus, in this case we can affirm that the dribbling situations that he would have in Manchester City would be less, and as a consequence, Leo’s development in the game could change substantially.

Performance prediction in relation to in-depth passes

The data quantified as passes in depth will be those shots made by the player with the ball, with the intention of transmitting the ball to a teammate who is unmarked in depth.

In this case, we can see that Leo’s prediction of data at Manchester City would be better than that achieved in the current season.

In this way, this may be the product of the multiple runs to the space that Manchester City attackers usually make, which will increase the chances that Leo executes deep passes.

Performance prediction in relation to Shots

The data quantified as shots, will be those actions that the player in question makes a strike in the direction of goal with the intention of scoring a goal.

In this case, we can see that this season’s data would be imposed on its suitor (Manchester City).

In addition, likely the functions and spaces of intervention of Leo Messi in the offensive structure of Manchester City would change significantly. This fact would safely alter your data in reference to shots.

Thus, Messi in the final stretch of the season used to start from the right side (where he also actively participated in the game) to enter interior spaces. If the demarcation and / or behaviors were altered on your new computer, such data would also be affected.

ANALYSIS SUMMARY

• Fundamental: Find a game in vertical progression to attack

Capacity to realize actions in progression from an individual or collective point of view.

• Fundamental: Passing with advantage

Capacity to play ball facilitating the action for the teammate in question.

• Fundamental: Prioritize individual solutions shooting- Dribbling – Driving with the ball

Capacity to select the best ability to execute in response to the given situation de

• Fundamental: Generate advantages through control by attacking the ball

Capacity to connect the action with an orientated control towards the next sequence.

Performance prediction: In the event that Leo Messi arrived at Manchester City, the data in reference to his main qualities would be affected by the characteristics of his new teammates and is more than probable the change of positioning and responsibilities in the offensive phase.