Roy Keane reveals a totally different side when he talks about Lionel Messi.
Roy Keane is famous for his straightforward and honest football analysis, but he showed a softer side when talking about Lionel Messi’s incredible performance against England. Messi had another unforgettable night, becoming the first player since 1966 to complete nine dribbles and assist two goals in a World Cup knockout match.
At 39, Messi played a key role, especially in the final moments, as Argentina booked their spot in the World Cup final alongside Spain, thanks to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. Messi made all the difference in Atlanta, and after the game, Roy Keane, who is usually quite critical, gave Messi some well-deserved praise.
On the latest episode of The Overlap with Gary Neville and Ian Wright, Keane praised Messi’s skill, especially highlighting his precise crossing. “He’s a genius,” Keane said. “I’ve played football at a high level, but watching him, I just think he’s amazing.
“What really stood out today was his crossing. People always focus on his amazing skills, but today his crosses were top-notch. In 20 years, we won’t just remember Messi for his crossing, but for his dribbling, goals, and how long he’s been at the top. Today, though, his crosses were outstanding.
“Everyone talks about stopping Messi, but today he was clever. Every time he got the ball, defenders crowded him, so he just found a little space and crossed it. He wasn’t trying to beat multiple players every time. That’s smart thinking. The guy is a genius.”
Keane added, “He’s won everything in football, but he still creates moments like this.”
This summer, Messi has spent a lot of time walking on the pitch, and there’s a good reason for it. He knows how to save energy and pick exactly the right moment to make his move, almost perfectly. Before the Argentina vs. England semi-final, it was revealed that Messi ranked 343rd in distance covered at the World Cup.
He has covered just 27 km in five games. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague shared these incredible stats on BBC 5 Live, saying Messi runs about 6.6 km per game, with 62% of that being walking.
Balague believes Messi’s smart play means he could still play in a record-breaking seventh World Cup in 2030. “If he raises that walking percentage to 75%, he’ll still make it,” Balague said. “He’s the best goalscorer in World Cup history, the best in MLS for two years, and the top scorer in qualifiers.”