Dek Dim

🚨🎙️ Sergio Ramos on Lionel Messi’s farewell: “He might have said goodbye to international football, but let me tell you something: Lionel Messi is still the best player in the world. And I don’t think people fully understand what he meant when he said his legs can no longer give him everything he wants. After watching his farewell match, I saw people questioning him. Some said he lied because he was chasing balls, running around, scoring a goal and providing two assists. I even saw people talking about how he chased a particular ball all the way to the corner flag. And I understand why they’re saying that. But people have forgotten what a young Messi’s legs used to do to defenders. When Messi says his legs don’t give him enough anymore, believe me, I can testify to that. Ask Arbeloa. Ask Casemiro. Ask Pepe. Ask Carvalho. Ask the legends of their respective clubs what an active Lionel Messi did to them. Listen to their answers, and you’ll understand exactly what I mean. Those legs were so sharp that they could execute almost everything his brain processed in a split second. He would see something, decide what to do, and his legs would carry out the instruction before you even understood what was happening. Now, imagine having a brain that still sees everything, still understands every movement and still knows exactly how to destroy your defensive plan, but your legs can no longer respond with the same speed and precision you demand from them. That is what I believe he means. He isn’t saying he cannot play football anymore. He’s saying he can no longer do everything his mind tells him to do. And even with that, look at what he’s still doing! Leading his nation, reaching a World Cup final, silencing hostile crowds and delivering performances that most players could only dream of. “Now imagine what those legs did to defenders when they were at their absolute best.” (laugh) You can plan for Messi all week. Put five players around him. Study his movements, close every passing lane and convince yourself you have finally figured him out. Then, before you know it, he has left everyone wondering what went wrong. And the funny thing is, sometimes you haven’t even done anything wrong. You have followed the instructions, maintained your position and executed your defensive plan perfectly. The problem is that Messi has seen something you haven’t. He is already three steps ahead of the solution you’re trying to find. We suffered enough playing against him for me to understand that. And when I finally had the opportunity to share a dressing room with him at Paris Saint-Germain, I was happy to experience that quality from the same side. I wish him and his family nothing but happiness. He deserves every bit of love he received during that farewell because football has given us very few players like him. He might be leaving international football, but his greatness isn’t going anywhere. For me, Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time.”