From memory he's missed more than 2, and I saw a stat somewhere and I think it was about 5 times he's had his shot saved.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:This is the second penalty Messi has ever not scored for Barca... I think we can forgive him for that. He should start stylin' them like Abreu

lol not true

Here are some more.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:This is the second penalty Messi has ever not scored for Barca... I think we can forgive him for that. He should start stylin' them like Abreu

Second penalty Messi has ever missed in La Liga that is.

BarcaKizz wrote:Messi beasting up



Any idea why he thought he should? He was already pretty stong... maybe he wants to be even stronger so he can't be touched at all by Madrid thugs.

Never realized Messi had that much bicep muscle...atta boy Leo.

Messi is pretty short, so any muscle gain he has is more noticeable. It might be the after effects of HGH

Actually Messi always was strong, see how he gets the ball from zaragoza player

Valid points. You just would never assume someone his size to be a pitbull, I guess because he is less notable than other shorter players who are aggressive like Maradona back in the day and currently Tevez.

Just assumed he utilized his skill...but strength adds a whole other element.

He's not that strong, but he's definitely NOT by all means weak.

Villa imo should take the penalties also

...

billionmillion wrote:Actually Messi always was strong, see how he gets the ball from zaragoza player

I hadn't seen that goal in a few months, feels great to watch it again

Messi is 5'7 or 5'6..
Come on it's quite obvious he's not going to be cahill

He is the most lethal player I have ever seen.
We have had great goal scorers over the years(guys who rack up 50 goals a season).
Guys like CR now,Ronaldo phenomenon,Hugo Sanchez,Gerd Muller,Eusebio etc.
But this guy is something else.He is basically a number 10 who scores 50 goals a season.
he spends half the game in midfield,the other half in between the lines and around 10% in the box.And yet he still manages 50 goals a season.
And that too for 3 seasons in a row(barring injury he will 50).
Its because he is the best finisher in the game.Just needs one chance to score.

Unbeleivable.Like I said the most lethal player i have ever seen.And I dont care what anybody says,if Barca win LA Liga and Cl again this season then he will be the best ever for me.
Guy is just a freak.

And the guy is unbelievable tough.
Gets clotheslined in the game.catches his breath.Just gets back up to start another play.No medical staff required.

Excellent comments alex - some very specific points you have highlighted - largely agree with what you say.

~ LEO Messi " Stats" ~ Updated: 30/10/2011

- Season 2011/2012: 19 goals & 11-12 assists in 16 matches (15 starts).
12 assist according to transfermakt.de
11 according to optasports.

- Club Career:
Messi played 286 matches for FCBarcelona, scored 199 goals [132 La Liga, 39 Champions League, 17 Copa, 8 SSC, 2 CWC, & 1 ESC] & provided 95 assists.

Details: 286 matches (Minutes: 21,162) scored 199 Goals (112 Goals @ Home, 81 Away, 6 On Neutral Ground) including just 17/22 penalties.

- Messi scored 72 Goals & provided 41 assists in the last 71 matches for Barca.

more detailed stats ( page 1, updated) !

Honest question for you guys

Has Messi become slower/less fit since the weight gain.?

Has he become stronger?

A) No.

B) He's been progressively becoming more 'built', and this has translated somewhat into his game, although I still feel that strength was never a very important part of it in the first place.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:A) No.

B) He's been progressively becoming more 'built', and this has translated somewhat into his game, although I still feel that strength was never a very important part of it in the first place.

Haven't watched any of the latest games, but I've read he has been playing pretty poor (pre-Mallorca)

so it has effected his game negatively?

BarrileteCosmico wrote:A) No.

B) He's been progressively becoming more 'built', and this has translated somewhat into his game, although I still feel that strength was never a very important part of it in the first place.

Hmmm...

It will be intresting to see how the extra 5-10 pounds affects his longevity, over the season. I't probably won't be advisable for Guardiola to completely burn him out as in season's past.

Anyway with Sanchez,Pedro,Villa, and the new kid he will probably get enough rest.

I think strength has always been an important part of his game, since he's always been able to ride challenges and maintain focus on the ball. Many people attribute that to his low centre of gravity and body control, but you need strength as well.

I wouldn't say that's the fatness, he was only poor in the second to last game, and that was because he was exhausted from playing too much, not because of a few extra pounds (assuming they are fat, lol).

BarrileteCosmico wrote:I wouldn't say that's the fatness, he was only poor in the second to last game, and that was because he was exhausted from playing too much, not because of a few extra pounds (assuming they are fat, lol).

Being fat could be the root source of the exhaustion though........

messi is ofcourse he has a big stomach and also he eats alot of kentucky fried chicken

1,2,3 haters

ragbirjosh wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:I wouldn't say that's the fatness, he was only poor in the second to last game, and that was because he was exhausted from playing too much, not because of a few extra pounds (assuming they are fat, lol).

Being fat could be the root source of the exhaustion though........

Lol, he's fat now? 5 extra pounds means you gained weight, not that you're fat...

And overplay is a much likelier cause + international travelling. If it's fatness then that will keep showing during the rest of the season.