A fascinating Twitter thread has broken down exactly why Lionel Messi walks around during games and it's actually a tactic.
It's well known that Messi takes his time to get involved for games with Barcelona and even strolls around the pitch in the opening moments.
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Many have put it down to Messi analysing the opponent before spotting a weakness - but Twitter user @PausaFutbol may have the true reason.
A Twitter thread has explained the 33-year-old's walking around is actually a way for Barcelona to hold territory deep in the opposing half.
The thread goes on to explain that Messi is actually holding high value positions and since 2017, he's managed to maintaining positions in high value 66% of the time.
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For context, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta only manage to register 50% on the same scale.
The signing of Arturo Vidal is also mentioned with the tenacious Chilean instructed to be 'Messi's legs' when he starts.
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Some have chosen to attack the 33-year-old for his lack of movement on the pitch however.
Former Argentina goalkeeper Hugo Gatti told El Chiringuito per One Football earlier this season: "I'm very Argentinian and Messi is a phenomenon, but he's not a phenomenon now.
"They treat him wrong because they big him up and big him up and treat him wrong. He gets used to it and walks more on the pitch. He has to be better.
"Cristiano [Ronaldo] and him are the two best. Messi has to be better, he's got used to playing at a weary rhythm, walking and those that know football think the same.
"Take off, kid. You have to play well. When there's a player like Messi, like it was with Maradona and Pele, and his team-mates always give the ball to him to win the game.
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"They spoil the team and they don't put everything they have into it. The team get used to giving him the ball and not anyone else."
Featured Image Credit: Pausa Futbol/TwitterTopics:Â Football News, Football, Barcelona, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Champions League, La Liga
