Lionel Messi is nearing the end of his career at 35 years old. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has struck fear in the hearts of those attempting to defend him during his career.
One of the players that had to slow down Messi was former midfielder Leonardo Ponzio, who was in La Liga while the Argentine was in the early years at FC Barcelona.
Ponzio spent time at Real Zaragoza and recalled the challenges of attempting to mark Messi during a Wednesday appearance on TyC Sports.
“How is it to mark Messi? I caught him in a stage where he had speed, which was nothing; there was no chance,” Ponzio said.
“I know from that year I played a whole year as a winger in [Real] Zaragoza, and he played on the outside and nothing, there were no chances, there were none. Because nothing, because if it wasn’t him, he would get together with another, and he had everything, he has everything, and in that time, he had zero to 100 speed.”
Ponzio y lo que era marcar a Messi en sus primeros años: "NO HABÍA CHANCES"
El ex mediocampista de River pasó por TyC Sports y habló sobre los jugadores a los que más le costo marcar. pic.twitter.com/xUNL2EkceC
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) September 7, 2022
Messi might not have the past speed when he was younger and in his prime, but the veteran forward remains a hassle for defenses even in the late stages of his career.
