Lionel Messi remains a valuable influence for footballers of the younger generation.
Currently selected by Lionel Scaloni for the Argentina rally, Leonardo Balerdi has the opportunity to clear his mind during this international break. Promoted to captain of Olympique de Marseille during the last off-season, the central defender has been struggling with his club since the start of the season.
Between his poor form and an unfortunate expulsion in Lyon, Balerdi did not show his best face with OM. His last performance in the league, against AJ Auxerre just before the international break (1-3), did not reassure Marseille supporters.
But Balerdi was able to count on the advice of a certain Lionel Messi to get his head above water.
Messi's advice to Balerdi
Proud to rub shoulders with the man he considers to be the best player of all time, Leonardo Balerdi explained that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had given him valuable advice. “ Leo Messi asks me to be calm, he explained in comments taken up by beIN Sports, while specifying that the native of Rosario also told him to “play in the same way as in a club”, without being aware, obviously, of his recent setbacks…
“That’s the key. And then obviously, you have to adapt to your opponent. It depends on the opponent and the training, but it always requires you to be 100% and try to play the same way as at club so that you can establish yourself here permanently here“, concluded Balerdi. It remains to be seen whether these words from Messi will bear fruit to indirectly help Olympique de Marseille in the coming weeks. In great difficulty defensively, the Marseille club needs to have its captain at his best…
