Lionel Messi: The Best Player. But Why So Ineffective at Penalties?
For over two decades, Lionel Messi has dazzled football fans with his unparalleled skills on the pitch, crafting magical plays from thin air. However, there’s one crucial aspect where this masterful player seems to falter: taking penalties.
The Simplicity of Penalty Kicks
When Messi stands 11 meters from the goal, he has a vast area to aim for and only the goalkeeper to beat. Yet, this is the rare moment when his extraordinary abilities seem to abandon him. Despite the apparent simplicity of penalties, Messi has a surprisingly mediocre success rate in this aspect of the game.
In the intense knockout match of the World Cup between Argentina and Egypt, Messi missed yet another penalty. With Argentina trailing 1-0, his low shot to the left was easily saved by the goalkeeper. This was not an isolated incident; it marked his second penalty miss in this tournament and his fourth in eight attempts across his World Cup career (excluding penalty shootouts).
A Record of Missed Opportunities
Messi has netted only 114 out of 148 penalties taken for both club and country, equating to a success rate of 77%. This percentage is alarmingly average when compared to players’ success rates over the past two decades. Notably, in the 96-year history of the World Cup, no player has missed more penalties than Messi.
This disappointing statistic sheds light on why Messi displayed raw emotion after his latest miss. He famously broke down in tears, articulating a genuine fear of having let down his teammates.
Inconsistent Technique
Arguably, part of Messi’s penalty woes lies in the lack of a consistent technique. Unlike remarkable penalty-takers like Harry Kane, who adopts a uniform approach, Messi varies his method based on his feelings for the day and the specific goalkeeper in front of him.
Analysis from FIFA on his penalty attempts during the 2022 World Cup revealed significant disparities in speed, direction, and even the part of the foot he uses to strike the ball. Messi’s strategy often includes waiting to see which way the goalkeeper leans before directing the shot to the opposite side, a high-risk tactic that hasn’t always paid off.
The Pressure of Simplicity
When faced with a penalty kick, the typical elements that allow Messi to showcase his genius—such as dribbling and dynamic movement—are stripped away. He has only one opportunity to touch the ball, making him less intimidating in this limited scenario.
Consequently, some of Messi’s most heartbreaking moments have stemmed from the penalty spot. His missed penalty in the 2016 Copa América final contributed to Argentina’s loss against Chile, causing him so much anguish that he briefly announced his retirement from international duty. Two years later, another miss in the World Cup against Iceland frustrated fans and critics alike.
Redemption in Qatar
Fortunately, during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi was able to turn the narrative around. He successfully converted six out of seven penalties, including a decisive one in the epic final against France. In a moment filled with elation, he declared, “It’s the most beautiful thing. I felt this World Cup was ours.”
Conclusion
While Lionel Messi remains a footballing icon, his struggles with penalty kicks stand as a curious anomaly in an otherwise illustrious career. This contrast between his brilliance and occasional shortcomings reminds us that even the greatest can face challenges in seemingly simple situations.