How to stop a player like Lionel Messi?

Stopping a player like Lionel Messi is one of the toughest challenges in football, and even the best defenders struggle with it. Now, any fast bet can be made at the 1xBet platform on players like Messi too.

Messi is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, with a unique blend of:

• speed;
• dribbling ability;
• and vision.

This makes him nearly impossible to contain. But if you're up against him, here are some strategies you might consider. The 1xBet platform always has any great and fast bet that can be made on lots of different footballers.

A few ideas

One of the most common tactics is to double-team Messi. This involves having two players constantly shadow him, reducing the space he has to operate. Messi thrives on exploiting tiny gaps, so by limiting his space, you can reduce his effectiveness. Other great players are featured at 1xbet.com.gh/line/football - football bet online can be made on them.

However, this approach isn't foolproof. Messi has an incredible ability to dribble past multiple players, and if you focus too much on him, it can open up space for his teammates.

Also, Messi is left-footed and prefers cutting inside from the right wing onto his stronger foot. The online football bets from 1xBet also have wagers on great left-footed players.

By forcing him to the right, onto his weaker foot, you can limit his shooting and passing options. It's easier said than done, though. Even with his "weaker" right foot, Messi has scored numerous goals, and his balance and control make it difficult to consistently force him in one direction.

Other ways to stop him

Some defenders try to get physical with Messi, disrupting his rhythm with tackles and body checks. At 1xbet.com.gh/mobile you can also try wagers on great defenders.

While it's true that Messi is only 170 and not the most physically imposing player, he has an incredible center of gravity and balance. In fact, trying to outmuscle Messi often backfires, as he’s incredibly adept at riding challenges and drawing fouls (he won 3.3 fouls per game in the 2019-2020 La Liga season). At the 1xBet platform you will see that La Liga is also featured too.

Finally, man marking is another strategy, where one player follows Messi everywhere he goes. The idea is to deny him the ball as much as possible. However, Messi's movement is so intelligent that he often drags his marker out of position, creating space for others. Plus, he’s incredibly adept at finding space, even when closely marked, and can deliver a killer pass if given even a fraction of a second.

Disclaimer:
Bet responsibly. 18+  Gambling is Addictive.  This advertisement has been approved and vetted by the Gaming Commission

Photo Credit: afa.com.ar