Lionel Messi Reveals The Secret Pre-Match Ritual That Has Turned Him Into The World’s Best Player
It’s widely agreed that Lionel Messi is the best soccer player in the world. But what has made him reach the pinnacle of the sport? Well, the Argentine ace has just revealed one of the rituals that he performs before every match that might be the reason for his prowess.
While talking to Four Four Two magazine, via Eurosport, Messi revealed exactly how he prepares for each and every game whether it’s with Barcelona or Argentina, and one of his rituals is to imagine him gliding past opposing defenders.
“I like to imagine things,” Messi admitted. “Like the opposing defenders and what might happen, and obviously in your imagination it always turns out for the best.”
Messi told the publication his entire pre-game preparation. “I star preparations much like the rest of the squad, after the previous match has finished. We talk about what we did well and what we can improve on. We play lots of games in a short space of time so it’s important to always look forward and never backwards in football,” he explained.
Messi then revealed that immediately before a game he tries to remain as calm as possible, and maintain the same composure that he has while training.
“Before a game it’s similar to how I am at training. I don’t have any ritual. I just put on whatever item of clothing is nearest to me,” he declared. “I’m not the sort of person who goes around screaming and shouting before a game either. I prefer to remain calm, with my own thoughts, and think of some situations that I’m likely to face in the game.”
Once the game has finished, Messi admitted that he tries to spend as much time as he can with his wife and children, and while he enjoys watching several other sports, he doesn’t play any of them.
Lionel Messi is currently in a rich vein form with Barcelona ahead of their derby with cross city rivals Espanyol at the Power 8 Stadium on Friday. Barcelona are currently unbeaten in eight La Liga contests, while they beat Paris St. Germain with ease in the Champions League quarter final, and they will learn who their opponents are in the semi final are on Friday.
Barcelona is also currently in line to win the treble. If they can remain top of the La Liga table, and win the Champions League, they will just have to beat Atletico Bilbao in the 2015 Copa Del Rey final to claim the highly coveted ensemble of trophies.
[Image via KLIMG]
