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Jan Oblak explains why Messi is the best player in the world


Messi vs Atletico

In a brilliant interview with Sky Sports, Slovenian shot-stopper Jan Oblak who happens to be one of football’s elite goalkeepers labelled Messi the best player in the world. He has been opportuned to face Messi severally as he joined Los Rojiblancos in 2014, in a transfer from Benfica. Since joining, he's been Atletico' premier choice of goalkeeper.

"He watches my legs," The Atletico Madrid stopper said. "If I make one step, he will see it and shoot to the other side. This is why he is the best. This is why he is so difficult. He does not show it but he is always looking. He is always watching you. His eyes are on the ball but he sees you.

"He sees everything, I think. He has scored many goals against me. Too many! But he is a great player, an amazing player, the best player.

"There are many times that he scores a goal and you have this feeling that you cannot understand how he has scored so easily. You are not even close. Sometimes it feels like he has just passed the ball into the goal, it is not even a shot."

Where does Messi shoot?

"That is the problem of Messi for goalkeepers," Oblak added.

"Anticipation depends on the player because there are some players who you can easily predict. There are some players who it is more difficult to predict. Then there is Messi. He is impossible to predict. Not many players have the possibilities that he has on the ball.

"You can never predict where he is going to shoot and you can never predict when he is going to shoot. When it comes to Messi, you can never predict anything. Ever."

When does Messi shoot?

"Many times, this is a problem against him," Oblak said. "Maybe two or three defenders will go towards him to steal the ball from him but then he will pass to another player and they score.

"You are not just waiting for the shot, you are waiting for the pass. You are waiting for all kinds of things. Will he shoot? Will he pass? Will he dribble? I repeat, it is impossible."

One-on-one with Messi

"If you go down, he will chip you," Oblak replied after being asked to explain how he attempts to stop the Argentine in a one-on-one battle.

"If you stand up, he will go through your legs. If you go right, he will shoot left. If you go left, he will shoot right. But, in one-on-one situations, the most important thing is to wait until the last second.

"Do not speed things up. You need to watch the ball and to wait."

 


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