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Video Of Lionel Messi 'Walking' Vs Manchester City Proves Rafael Van Der Vaart Is Spot On

Video Of Lionel Messi 'Walking' Vs Manchester City Proves Rafael Van Der Vaart Is Spot On

Lionel Messi was spotted not chasing prior to Manchester City's equaliser.

Footage of Lionel Messi walking in the build-up to Manchester City's equaliser in the 2-1 win on Wednesday night has gone viral and proves that Rafael van der Vaart might have a point about the Argentine.

A lot has been made about Cristiano Ronaldo's lack of pressing for Manchester United but Messi too doesn't do much running these days.

In fact, he was culpable for Raheem Sterling's leveller just after hour the mark when he had absolutely no interest in chasing the ball.

Image: PA
Image: PA

City were building an attack and shifting the ball side to side while Messi basically stood there and watched.

Rodri clipped the ball over to Kyle Walker in delicious fashion and the full-back picked out his England teammate at the far post.

The video is pretty damning for Messi, however, with his lack of work-rate picked up by a lot of viewers.


While fans weren't expecting Messi to be covering every blade of glass, he could have got a lot closer to the opposition players and make it harder for them to play.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner produced a deft nutmeg in the first-half and was involved in PSG's opener, but received a low 4/10 mark from L'Equipe.

And former Real Madrid and Spurs midfielder Van der Vaart has grown frustrated with Messi and his constant walking.

"He goes for a walk now and then and I think, ‘Aren’t you ashamed?’" the former midfielder said on Dutch tv channel Ziggo Sports.

"I’m starting to get angry with Messi and that’s a shame because a player like that will never be born again.

"It started under Ronald Koeman [at Barcelona]. It was actually a refusal to work and that’s not right for a player like Messi."

Featured Image Credit: Image: BT Sport

Topics: Manchester City, Lionel Messi, Raheem Sterling