Messi tipped to take a Xavi role at Barca in the future

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The skipper has the intelligence to drop deeper

Lionel Messi could end up playing a role similar to that of Xavi in the future at Barcelona, according to Pep Guardiola’s former assistant Domenec Torrent.

The GOAT is heading towards the end of his career and turns 33 next month, although Xavi has said he reckons his former team-mate still has “five or seven very good years left.”

Torrent has been talking about Messi and thinks he has the intelligence to play in a deeper role at the Camp Nou and succeed.

“He’s a very intelligent player. Often, he drops deep to receive the ball. In a few years, he could play like Xavi if he wanted to. He doesn’t lose the ball, he gives assists, he has taken care of his body throughout his career...

“If he plays in a deeper position when he logically starts losing pace, he could play as a central midfielder or wherever he wants to and he would do well.”

Source | Ole

Messi and Barcelona are preparing to return to La Liga action next month. Barcelona will resume top of the table, while Messi tops the goals and assists charts in Spain in 2019-20.

Source: barcablaugranes.com