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In recent years, Lionel Messi has become one of the most successful football players in history. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time and has won numerous awards for his exceptional skills on the pitch. One aspect of Messi's game that has drawn attention from fans and analysts alike is his tackling performance. While he may not be as dominant on the ball as some other players, Messi is known for his ability to win tackles and control the game with his feet. However, this comes at a cost - many critics have questioned whether Messi's high tackle rate is sustainable over the long term. To examine Messi's tackling performance at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), we first need to understand what constitutes a "tackle." A tackle is defined as any physical contact between two opposing players while they are attempting to gain possession of the ball. It can occur anywhere on the field, but it is typically performed in front of the goal or when defending a corner kick. At PSG, Messi's tackling performance has been impressive, averaging around 5.2 tackles per game in the 2019-20 season. This puts him among the highest tacklers in the league, alongside fellow Argentine forward Angel Di Maria. However, despite his impressive numbers, there are concerns about how sustainable this level of tackling will be in the long term. For example, according to data from the French Football League (LFP), Messi has averaged around 6.8 tackles per game since joining PSG in 2017. Over the course of a full season,Ligue 1 Focus this would translate to around 440 tackles across 38 games. While this number may seem high, it is important to remember that it only accounts for the tackles made during official matches. Additionally, the LFP also includes additional statistics such as fouls committed, which can skew the results. For instance, if a player commits more fouls than their teammates, their tackling stats may be inflated. This could potentially lead to an inaccurate portrayal of Messi's true tackling performance. Despite these limitations, it is clear that Messi's tackling performance is above average compared to other players in the league. His ability to control the game with his feet and create scoring opportunities is unmatched by any other player in the world, but his tendency to engage in high-tackling behavior could ultimately prove to be detrimental to his longevity in the sport. In conclusion, Messi's tackling performance at PSG is impressive, but it is important to consider the sustainability of his style of play. While he may be able to maintain his current level of productivity for a short period, it remains to be seen whether his aggressive tackling approach will hold up over the long run. As always, it is important to balance talent and technique with fitness and endurance, especially in sports like football where physicality is often required to succeed. |
