Lionel Messi isn’t performing up to his usual standards for Barcelona due to discomfort, says former Argentina teammate Juan Sebastian Veron.
Messi hasn’t scored from open play this season, having bagged both his goals this season through penalties.
New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman normally deploys him centrally, instead of his more customary role on the right wing, in a 4-2-3-1 system. It’s led to a dip in form, sparking a flurry of concern.
But, as Veron pointed out, the Blaugrana are in a transitional period. After a trophyless 2019/20, the club’s first in 12 seasons, change was inevitable as they seek to reclaim their former glory once more.
The former Manchester United and Lazio midfielder also implied that Koeman hasn’t figured out how to best deploy Messi’s talents.
“I see him with a lot of discomfort playing in a team in transition,” Veron told Ole on Messi.
“In all of these years at Barcelona he was a key player, but now they’re in transition, they have a lot of spare parts and are trying to find an identity.
“It seems clear to me that, to a certain extent, the club haven’t been able to provide Leo [with the right teammates], especially in their formation and as a team.
“This, somehow, has gone against him. He’s a player who has always tried to be competitive and stay at the very top.”
Messi and Barcelona will return to action on Wednesday for a Champions League match against Juventus in Turin.
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