Since David Villa joined Barcelona in 2010, then manager Pep Guardiola moved Argentine Leo Messi from his favoured Right-Wing position to a more central ‘False 9’ position. Leo thrived on the change and scored over 50 goals in the next 3 seasons. However this season, he scored ‘only’ 9 goals in 11 matches, and even went 3 games without scoring, something unheard of from the Argentine magician. But with the arrival of Luis Suarez, freshly available from his suspension, manager Luis Enrique moved Messi to the right wing, to accomadate the arrival of Suarez. Messi has thrived there, and in 3 games on the wing, has scored 6 goals.
Although he starts at Right-Wing, Messi has been given freedom to roam the pitch, and is contributing in the centre of the park also. The whole team has benefited from Messi’s position change, and Barcelona have scored 19 in their last 5 games. Messi will look to stake a late claim for the Ballon D’or after an already illustrous year.
Matt Katunar
