The Barcelona superstar has regularly resisted this argument throughout a fantastic career. His exploits saw the history books being rewritten: 634 goals were recorded at the club level and 70 more in his country.
According to Caniggia, Messi lacks a leadership
Lionel Messi may be a six-time Ballon d’Or winner and always great, but Claudio Caniggia blamed his Argentinian fellow for lack of leadership and struggling in adversity. The Barcelona superstar has regularly resisted this argument throughout a fantastic career. His exploits saw the history books being rewritten: 634 goals were recorded at the club level and 70 more in his country. Messi has been a talismanic presence for Barça and the Albiseleste. He helped those at Camp Nou to an enviable collection major honours – including 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns. He is still waiting for his first senior title with Argentina. But the Copa America and 2022 World Cup are poised to present him with opportunities to right that wrong. Caniggia, however, suggested that the 33-year-old might struggle to drag others along with him.
Leo suffers when he sees that his team is no better than the opponents
The former Argentina International argues that Messi’s focus and influence fall when he realizes that his opposition is better than the side he represents. The South Americans cut a frustrated figure as Barça stumbled over the line in 2019-20, with a humble 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, ending up as the final straw as he aired a desire to move on. Caniggia told reporters of the iconic countryman: “Maybe Messi lacks leadership when his team is not the best side. Messi takes responsibility and it is clear that he has character. I don’t know what could have happened at Barça, but I always say that it’s hard for him. Leo suffers when he sees that his team is no better than the other side.
“When he goes to serve and sees that his team is not superior, that it will not be easy to win, he does not feel well. He struggles in adversity”. Messi has put off any thoughts of going to Camp Nou. Messi’s plans to stay onsite are revealed in an exclusive interview. So Caniggia believes that parting ways in Catalonia have never been on the cards. He added: “Messi was advised badly, he was told he could go for free. It looks like his lawyers let the tortoise escape. It was obvious that he was not going to leave Barça”. Messi is back in goals for Barça as they prepare for the 2020-21 season under Ronald Koeman. With the LaLiga opener against Villarreal to be taken in on Sunday.