Park Ji-Sung Man-Marked Lionel Messi In Every Game They Played Against One Other

Park Ji-sung was chosen to man-mark Lionel Messi in every single game they played against each other as shown in a fascinating video.

Park is best known for his time with Manchester United from 2005 to 2012 and he was a vital part of the squad.

Sir Alex Ferguson would deploy the South Korean in key games to shadow an opposition's key attacking threat - step forward Lionel Messi.

Image: Alamy

The 35-year-old came up against Park at club and international level and he probably got sick of the sight of him.

Park's relentless pressing and unrivaled work ethic meant he was always on the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's toes.

The pair played against each other five times in total, with four games coming in the Champions League and one coming at the 2010 World Cup.

In terms of a head-to-head record, Messi won three games while Park won one, with a draw coming in the Champions League back in 2008.

Image: Alamy

Park has discussed marking Messi in the past and he revealed a conversation with former teammate Patrice Evra.

"It's impossible to mark [Lionel] Messi one-on-on," Park admitted per Manchester Evening News.

"When we played against him, [Patrice] Evra used to ask me to help mark him, so I did. I helped a lot."

Another man who Park fearlessly chased after in his prime is Italian legend Andrea Pirlo.

One of his most memorable moments came in 2010 when United were drawn with AC Milan in the Champions League last 16.

Pirlo was regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world - meaning it was Park's job to stay on him every single minute of both games.

Image: Alamy

In the video above, you'll see Park hassle Pirlo over the two games and recognise why he was so loved at Old Trafford.

"Your job today is not about touching the ball, it's not about making passes, your job is Pirlo. That's all: Pirlo," Sir Alex Ferguson explained to him before the game.

It's safe to say the Italian was uncomfortable as he made just 21 passes in the second leg at Old Trafford.

United dominated the tie and went through 7-2 on aggregate.

Park would move on to Queens Park Rangers and PSV Eindhoven before retiring in 2014.

Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Barcelona, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_