MLS pundit Andrew Wiebe has shared why MLS defenders are now so afraid of trying to tackle Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.
The former PSG and FC Barcelona superstar has been in electric form in the last month, with Messi leading the MLS goalscoring and assist charts and breaking numerous records every time he seemingly takes to the field.
This weekend against the New York Red Bulls saw Messi become the first player in MLS history to register five assists in a single game as the Argentine inspired the Herons to a 6-2 win over their Eastern Conference rivals.
And for Wiebe, the pundit has shared why MLS defenders are afraid to take on Messi.
MLS defenders ‘fear’ embarrassing themselves in front of Messi
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, the expert claimed that MLS defenders are simply too scared to be embarrassed by Messi, who again enjoyed a comfortable game for Inter Miami where opposing players gave the forward space to operate.
Compared to what Messi experienced last month in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against CF Monterrey, the 36-year-old is yet to meet an MLS side who have really got up in his personal space and stopped the Argentine from creating magic.
And, for Wiebe, the fear of being embarrassed by Messi is stopping MLS defenders from really stopping the Inter Miami star, who is now starting to make the league look like a piece of cake with his recent performances.
Wiebe said: “It’s the fear. Nobody wants to close in on Messi, no one wants to get embarrassed, but then all of a sudden he sits, he waits, he finds the angle, and that’s a connection [with Suarez] we have seen hundreds of times.”
Inter Miami will steamroll MLS if defenders don’t start taking on Messi
Given how great Messi is and how easy it is for the attacker to embarrass defenders, it makes sense why some players are thinking it is easier to do nothing than to try and take on the Argentine.
Yet if MLS teams want to make this season interesting, they’ll have to start wising up to Messi and the methods it takes to stop the forward, much to Inter Miami’s dismay.
Indeed, Messi is on a tear at the moment and looks unstoppable, and if MLS defenders are to stop the Argentine, they need to step up themselves if they’re to stand any chance of doing anything this season.