Tuesday 23 October 2007

Cruyff Gives Messi Some Advice

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has given some advice to young sensation Lionel Messi in his Monday column for the Newspaper of Catalunya.

After Barcelona's 3-1 defeat to Villarreal at the weekend, Cruyff has urged Messi to learn when he can play the ball quickly and when it is better to dribble at opponents with it:

"It is his prerogative. But single, I against the world runs fail to con the opposition when you try it time and time again. It would be better if he learned to regulate himself. He is a sensation, but still it can improve. He must know when to move the ball on quickly and when to try the impossible mission."

Once Messi has learned to vary his approach, Cruyff said, "He will not gain a Gold Ball, but a collection of them."

There are not many who could offer advice to Lionel Messi based on his current form, but Cruyff is one of those who comments have weight, considering he was arguably the best wide attacker of his day. It is an element of Messi's game that will definitely improve over time and considering how young he is, he still has plenty of time to learn.

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