Messi, often referred to the GOAT of football, is arguable unstoppable in the game. There is no doubt that Lionel Messi is simply one of the greatest footballers. Since making his Barca debut, the forward has won 34 major honours, including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and six Spanish Cups.
In 2019 alone, the Argentine has netted 47 times only one man in Europe has scored more, Robert Lewandowski. But considering Messi was injured at the start of the 2019/20 season, it’s incredible to see he’s still right up there with Bayern Munich’s in-form striker.
So how do you keep up with such a talent or even stop such a talent on the field? Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane has suggested that it is not impossible to stop Lionel Messi on the field, a job that required a team effort.
The defender, who joined Real Madrid from Lens in 2011, has been with the Spanish giants for a decade now having won multiple titles including four Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles.
In a recent interview when he was asked about Messi, Varane said that keeping the Argentine quiet on the field is not an easy task but a team effort can surely make that happen. “You can’t defend as you do with others and it takes teamwork. You can’t leave him room,” Varane added.
Even though he and Real captain Sergio Ramos has established a great partnership in the middle, Messi has given them some tough days over the years. “Being a defender of Real Madrid means being able to make very few mistakes. We have 50 meters of the field behind us,” Varane, who joined Real when he was a teenager, further explained.
Varane, who has a contract with Real until 2022, spoke about the players who inspired him as a budding footballer. The Frenchman mentioned that he idolized players such as Pepe, Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I was inspired by players like Pepe or Sergio Ramos because they are defenders and by someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is an example for any footballer. Sergio Ramos has a winning mentality and has a great experience. Coach Zinedine Zidane is a great example for me due to his serenity, his always positive being. I’ve been here for eight years and every time it’s like starting from scratch. I want to give my best for this shirt,” Varane added further.
Real will look to defeat Seville and earn the crucial three points as they are currently tied in points with arch-rivals FC Barcelona. The reigning champions Barca, who next face Granada, are on the top of the points table over goal difference.
