FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.08.2009 17:03

Messi still improving

Marc Guillén

Although he is considered the best player in the world, Lionel Messi is getting better and better. As he showed in the Super Cup, he is making much more use of his right foot.

When he joined the first team, Lionel Messi only had one foot, and therefore squandered several chances that a natural right footer might have dealt with. The Argentinian has been working on this aspect of his game, and this showed in the game with Athletic Bilbao.

Goals on three fronts

Last season, Messi became the out and out leader of the team, and also started scoring goals with his right foot. In fact, although it’s his ‘bad’ foot, he used it to score in La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

Messi the spot kick specialist

In lst night’s second leg match, Lionel Messi scored the second with an impeccable penalty conversion. Last season the Argentinian and Samuel Eto’o shared the responsibility, but this year it looks like it will be Messi alone who will be taking them.

The FC Barcelona manager had told the media earlier that he wasn’t sure who would be taking the penalties this year, but it seems that he now made his mind up. “Yes, in principle, he’ll be taking the penalties” he said. “He is a guarantee, and if he’s not there, then Xavi or Zlatan can also take them”.