Suggestions from Pep Guardiola for Lionel Messi not to Run Too Much

DBasia.news –  To improve the quality of his game, Lionel Messi and Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde, has received input from Pep Guardiola. The Manchester City manager believes that Lionel Messi can no longer run as often as before, remembering that he is now 32 years old.

Guardiola, Messi’s former coach in Barcelona in the mid 2008-2012, spoke of the difficulties experienced by coaches when dealing with European stars who are in their thirties. Just as Jose Mourinho thought, Guardiola admitted that it was very challenging for the coach.

The coaches must wisely maximize the star’s talents and not risk them with so many hours of play, then injury. The example shown by Guardiola in Messi.

According to Guardiola, Messi, at his age, can no longer run as much as when he was younger. It would be better for Messi to play more effectively, not to run a lot, but still giving the maximum contribution to the team.

If Messi is forced to run a lot at this time, Guardiola blatantly predicts Messi could be injured every three months. This message from Guardiola can also be interpreted as a suggestion for Messi so that his career can last.

“The stars have to run like other players, otherwise the team won’t survive, you have to convince them to run. Sometimes, you say to them ‘I don’t force you to run 40 meters like a 20-year-old athlete on a team, but give me a reason for you not to run, “said Guardiola, reported from the AS.

“If someone doesn’t run, but scores three goals in each game then I can understand it. However, no one scores three goals in each match, only Messi who comes close.”

“Right now, you have to ask Messi to slightly reduce his (running) effort. He’s unable to run because he has to run, it’s impossible. If Leo runs like he did in the first season with me he will be injured every three months. Handling legends at the age of 30 and on is the hardest thing for a coach,” he explained.

Lionel Messi is just an ordinary person. Soon he will retire and Guardiola hopes Barcelona can build him a statue as a form of appreciation, as well as the late Laszlo Kubala and Johan Cruyff.

“One day Messi will retire and Barca will have to accept it. What needs to be prepared is the space for the statue, the way to reward him like Kubala or Johan, and I have no doubt they will find that space,” explained Guardiola.