Inter Miami told there are certain things Lionel Messi "won't do" tactically

29 July 2023 , 01:00

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Some of Lionel Messi's former teammates and opponents have explained some of the nuances of the forward's playing style. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) (Image: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi's former teammates clearly hold him in the highest regard but even his strongest advocates acknowledge that the superstar has some limitations.

The Argentine superstar has made a swashbuckling start to life in an Inter Miami shirt, with three strikes and two assists already to his name for the Florida franchise. After scoring over 800 goals and winning 43 trophies including the World Cup for club and country, it appears that his desire to win remains undiminished.

Now 36-years-old, he would be forgiven for taking a more pedestrian approach after swapping Europe for the US but two victories in his first couple of outings demonstrate the extent of his impact in the dressing room at this early stage. It is fair to say that the team's major upturn in form suggests that the iconic forward's arrival has galvanised his teammates.

But even a player of the legendary forward's standing has some shortcomings, however, as former Barcelona teammate Marc Muniesa has admitted. While acknowledging that the veteran star still is among the best in the world from an offensive perspective, the 32-year-old has warned Inter Miami that he simply won't apply himself to certain defensive duties.

Muniesa told The Athletic: “Leo does condition how the team plays — for good and maybe for bad, but above all for good. When Leo is plugged in, he is the best player, he will always create chances for you.

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"Of course, you cannot ask him to do everything on a defensive level, because he won’t do it. But in attack, he is just the best — even at 35, 36. He can be walking for the whole game, but when he picks up the ball, different things happen that no other player has the quality to do."

That is a trade-off Inter Miami will be more than happy to accept. His dramatic last-minute winner on his debut versus Cruz Azul and his double on his first start against Atlanta United simply highlight the goals and impact he will bring in attack.

One former opponent, the La Liga stalwart midfielder David Zurutuza has explained some of the idiosyncrasies of the former Barcelona hero's play, including how he has been able to successfully identify his opponents' weaknesses for such a prolonged period of time.

Speaking to the Athletic, the Real Sociedad mainstay said: "Leo really liked a zone of the pitch where he could pick up a diagonal pass — in the triangle between the left-back, the left centre-back and the holding midfielder.

Lionel Messi made his Inter Miami debut on Friday versus Cruz Azul and scored a stoppage time free-kick (David Santiago/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

"He has this capacity to not focus too much on where the ball is, or what is going on with the play, but look for the best positions to do damage. That was one reason he was so good, that natural ability he had to find the space, the intelligence on the pitch, observing what was happening, and knowing where the rival’s weaknesses were."

After his landmark start to life stateside, Messi's focus will soon turn to his league debut which will come less than a month from now versus Charlotte FC at DRV PNK Stadium. The Herons currently sit rock bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference after 22 games played.

Tom Beattie