If it works, don’t fix it.
It almost sounds blasphemous to suggest that Lionel Messi should completely change his position, but while the Argentine wizard enjoyed a brilliant season personally, Barcelona failed on major fronts – there is much to fix.
Luis Enrique did change things up in the 2016/17 season and allow Messi to drop deeper, but what I’m suggesting goes further – Messi starts in midfield, and stays there.
Here are the major reasons why Messi should see out his career as a midfielder.
#1 Replace Andres Iniesta
It's no secret that Barcelona have been struggling to replace Andres Iniesta in midfield. Replacing Xavi proved a nigh on impossible task, and the same seems to be the case with Iniesta - as Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez and Arda Turan have proved to be quite mediocre signings.
Messi would be the perfect replacement for the legend that is Iniesta. There would undoubtedly be a few teething issues as Messi's defensive output isn't the same as that of Barcelona's Spanish magician, but that can comfortably be offset by a switch to a double defensive pivot alongside him, allowing Messi to roam.
Iniesta only managed 2288 minutes for Barcelona last season (fewest since the 04/05 season), and his absence played a telling role in the Blaugrana's disappointing season. Things aren't going to get much better as he ages, and it was telling that Barcelona's board were willing to sell him. Messi is 30 himself, and could conceivably occupy Iniesta's role as a midfield conductor for the short term, until another academy product can take over.
#2 Prolong his career
Lionel Messi has never been reliant on his pace, but the Argentine's burst over his first five yards has been the cornerstone of his dribbling magic. He may be the best footballer in the world, but the aging process will rob him off this crucial asset, however gradual.
Messi's rival, Cristiano Ronaldo has already made his peace with his lack of pace and moved to a central role, while accepting being rested by Zidane, in a bid to maximize his effectiveness. Messi will have to accept a similar shift - continue in a forward role, and soon enough the lack of a burst of pace might allow defenders to mark him ever more so tightly.
A move into midfield would afford Messi to rely more on his vision and passing ability - abilities that do not reduce however much you age (see: Totti, Francesco). There's greater space on offer in midfield when compared to the forward line, and it would be conceivable that Messi could play in this position for another decade with ease.
#3 Unleash Neymar's true potential
You don't need stats realize that the Neymar who turns out for Brazil is vastly different to the one that takes to the pitch in the Blaugrana shirt. With Barcelona, Neymar's focus is mostly on assisting from the wings - very rarely does he cut inside for Barcelona and carry the ball.
To be fair, when you have the likes of Suarez and Messi making brilliant runs into the box, you could forgive Neymar's proclivity for choosing the assist. Witness the Brazilian's performances for the Selecao though, and you'd be crying out for the player who grabs the game by the scruff of the neck for Barcelona.
Messi's presence in midfield would allow Neymar a greater responsibility going forward, and I'd bet he would thrive in such a situation. We might see him be more willing to dribble his way into the box and score some of his trademark wonder-goals. Barcelona need to make Neymar their #1 asset going forward to ensure he stays, or the Brazilian might take his talents elsewhere. Messi dropping into midfield would allow Neymar to not play second fiddle to the Argentine anymore while keeping both egos satisfied.
#4 Restore balance to Barcelona's side
Fans of the Catalan giants know that the only reason they managed to make La Liga a close run contest in 2016/17 was Messi's magical ability to constantly bail them out at the death. Luis Enrique's last season at the club produced a woefully inconsistent side that struggled to balance their attacking forays due to an almost non-existent right side.
Messi realised the problem and dropped deep, but that switch came too late into the season and confused Ivan Rakitic no end - as the Croatian was often unsure when Messi would drop and when he would stay forward. Going by Barcelona's signing's of Gerard Deulofeu and Nelson Semedo, it's quite clear that they've solved the issue of attacking from the right wing.
Messi can drop into midfield and dictate play to either wing, thus confusing opposing defences as to which side they can anticipate an overload. His ability to retain possession under pressure might also afford Barcelona the chance to play a more patient style of play, as opposed to the direct side we saw under Luis Enrique. Ernesto Valverde was heavily endorsed by Pep Guardiola, and with Messi in midfield, we might witness Tiki-taka v2.
#5 Bring him international glory
It’s the millstone that hangs around Lionel Messi’s neck and threatens to make him second-best to Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona in the eyes of many. Internationally, all Messi has to show for his brilliance for Argentina is an Olympic medal, forget the Copa America and FIFA World Cup.
Argentina look extremely top-heavy whenever they take to the pitch, and this often catches them out in finals, where the pressure can take it’s toll – resulting in clinical forwards at club level like Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero fluffing their lines. The domino effect is that Messi ends up taking all of the burden and predictably trying too hard to force the issue, resulting in these players losing their effectiveness.
With Messi in midfield, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala can reprise their awesome partnership for Juventus, while also allowing the space for players like Aguero to thrive. It may result in Angel di Maria being shunted out wide, or possibly dropped, but there’s a better balance to be had on the pitch with Messi controlling the midfield for Argentina.
A season of being a midfielder for Barcelona, and Leo could quite conceivably be lifting the Jules Rimet trophy in Russia. What better reason could he have for making his positional switch?
