Lionel Messi Dominates World Cup With Unique Playing Style at Age 39
Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina against Egypt in the World Cup quarterfinals, aiming to reach the semifinals and potentially score his tenth consecutive World Cup goal. At 39, Messi's distinctive playing style allows him to excel on football's biggest stage despite limited running. According to FIFA tracking data, 63% of Messi's movement during the tournament has been walking, with 25% of the time spent standing still. He runs lightly only 8.6% of the time, far below the tournament average of 23%, and rarely sprints, ranking 257th in that category.
In five matches, Messi has covered 35.87 kilometers, averaging 6.88 km per game, compared to Michael Olise's 64 km and Harry Kane's 53 km. Messi credits his teammates for enabling him to conserve energy, saying, "Thanks to my teammates, I can be myself. They sacrifice, and I run less." When he does run, it is strategically focused: 71% of his runs with the ball end in the final third of the pitch, and 21% occur inside the penalty area.
This approach is not new; Messi revealed in a 2024 interview that as a child at Newell's Old Boys, he avoided running drills by hiding behind a tree. Despite minimal running, he ranks third in touches in the attacking third and in creating major scoring chances (15), sharing the tournament's top scorer spot with Kylian Mbappe. Analysts note Messi operates mainly between the midfield and the edge of the penalty area, using subtle movements to manipulate defenders and create space rather than relying on sprints.
Former French defender Raphael Varane, who has faced Messi 21 times including the 2022 World Cup final, highlighted Messi's ability to confuse defenders about who should mark him. Another former French player, William Gallas, emphasized Messi's threat even when walking, explaining that defenders are forced to approach him, which opens space behind them, exactly what Messi wants.
Messi's unique style, combining minimal running with exceptional positioning and ball control, continues to make him a dominant force in the World Cup at an age when most players have retired or slowed down.
