England’s former Premier League defender and current interim coach, Joleon Lescott, likened Lionel Messi to the powerful villain Thanos from the Avengers. This comparison highlights Messi’s exceptional strength and vision on the football pitch. The remark came amid ongoing admiration for Messi’s talents, reflecting Lescott’s perspective from his professional experience.
Lescott Details Messi’s Exceptional Awareness and Strength
Lescott described how Messi seemingly reads the entire game in slow motion, understanding every player’s positioning and movements. He recalled moments defending against Messi, believing he could physically challenge him, only to realize Messi’s strength surpassed expectations. Lescott said,
“He must see the game so slowly and so clearly. There was a time when my confidence was through the roof defending one-on-one, you know what you have to do. He must see the game like that: he sees the whole picture of every person and every detail. I’m thinking, he’s better than me at everything, but he’s not stronger than me. It’s okay, I’ll hit him. And I did, I hit him in the back. He went ‘oof’ and literally held me on his back. I thought, Oh my God, you’re strong too? You have everything. It’s like Thanos from the Avengers,”
underscoring Messi’s combination of power and precision.
Setting Rivalries Aside to Focus on Messi’s Remarkable Talent
The comparison came despite the longstanding football rivalry between England and Argentina, intensified by historic matches such as the 1986 World Cup quarter-final where Diego Maradona famously scored the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century.” Lescott’s comments emphasize admiration for Messi’s abilities, transcending traditional sporting conflicts.
The Significance of Lescott’s Remarks for Football Fans
This analogy signals a broader recognition of Messi’s influence and talent in the football world. By likening him to a character renowned for immense power and strategy, Lescott captures Messi’s unique blend of vision, skill, and physicality. Fans can expect continued discussions comparing Messi to figures outside football, highlighting his legendary status as his career unfolds.