Lionel Messi’s idol Pablo Aimar has hailed Messi’s ability on the football pitch. Aimar was himself a genius with the ball at his feet and Messi used to watch him play when he was young.
This time, Aimar is the one who has heaped praise on the little man. Lionel Messi arguably has the quickest feet in football. His control and dribbling skill are considered beyond the realm of human capability. Aimar believes he has the explanation for Messi's genius.
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The Argentine talked about what it feels like to play with Lionel Messi. Speaking to goal.com he said, "Imagine if tomorrow you rent out a pitch and Messi comes along. As soon as he grabs the ball you know he's going to score on you or do something great."
Aimar believes the secret to Messi's ability is the synchronicity between his feet and his brain. “I think that he thinks and acts at the same moment. Or maybe he even acts before he thinks. But the amazing thing is that, be it a final, semi-final or whatever, he plays knowing that he can decide the game.”
Pablo Aimar was a unique talent himself. The Argentine is a product of the River Plate academy. He was signed by Valencia when he was only 21 years old. Footballing legend Diego Maradona said he was the only player he would pay to watch on the football pitch.
Aimar helped Valencia reach the UEFA Champions League final in his first season as they eventually lost to Bayern Munich. He was part of the squad that won the La Liga title in 2002. The little Argentine played for Zaragoza and Benfica before ending his career at his boyhood club River Plate.
Aimar compared Messi to the greats of other games as well. He spoke about how Michael Jordan’s qualities remind him of Messi’s. “I think that is what Jordan used to do, he used to say he had missed more shots than he had made, but he shot all the same in order to win. Messi is like Jordan.”
At the age of 28, Messi continues to dazzle and his feet continue to dance and hypnotize defenders. Barcelona recently destroyed their derby rivals Espanyol at the Camp Nou 5-0 with Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all getting on the scoresheet.
But with Real Madrid edging past Valencia, Barcelona will have to win their final game against Granada to ensure they clinch their second successive title.
