Roy Keane reveals a whole new side of himself when talking about Lionel Messi.
Roy Keane is usually known for his straight-talking style as a pundit, but he showed a softer side when he talked about Lionel Messi’s amazing performance against England.
It was another special night for Messi, who made history by completing nine dribbles and setting up two goals in a World Cup knockout match — something no one else has done since records began in 1966.
At 39 years old, Messi played a key role, especially in the final moments, helping Argentina reach the World Cup final alongside Spain, thanks to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
After the game, Keane, who often criticizes players, had only praise for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. On the latest episode of The Overlap with Gary Neville and Ian Wright, the former Manchester United captain praised Messi’s precise crossing.
“He’s a genius,” Keane said. “We’ve played football at a high level, but this guy… I just sit back and think he’s amazing. What I really loved today was his crossing. We usually talk about his skill, but his crossing was fantastic today.
“We might not remember Messi for his crosses in 20 years, but today, it stood out. 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 everyone this time. He understood the game perfectly. That’s genius.”
Keane added, “He’s won everything in the game, and even now, he’s still creating special moments.”
This summer, Messi has been careful with his energy on the pitch, often walking calmly and saving strength for the right moments. He’s incredibly smart at knowing when to slow down and when to attack.
Before the Argentina-England semi-final, it was revealed Messi ranks 343rd in distance covered at the World Cup, having run only 27km in five matches. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague explained on BBC 5 Live that Messi covers around 6.6km per game, with 62% of that being walking.
Balague believes that with this smart style of playing, Messi could even make it to a record-breaking seventh World Cup in 2030. “If he changes that 62% to 75% walking, he’ll still make it,” Balague said. “He’s the best World Cup goalscorer, the top scorer in the MLS for two years, and the best in the qualifiers.”