Parades explains why ‘giving the ball to Messi’ is not always the best option

Speaking to Diario Ole, as relayed by SPORT, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has opened up on his experience of playing with Barcelona captain Lionel Messi.

Paredes, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is currently with the Argentina national team for the ongoing Copa America 2021. Under the leadership of Messi, La Albiceleste have made an unbeaten start, winning two and drawing one of their three Group A fixtures thus far, booking a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Messi may have scored just one goal so far in the three games but he has been heavily influential for Argentina, with his performance in the 1-0 win over Uruguay particularly standing out. The Barcelona talisman, who turned 34 on Thursday, also become the joint most-capped player for his country with 147 appearances (tied with Javier Mascherano).

Paredes, who has also been an ever-present in midfield for the national team in Copa America, spoke about his experiences of playing with Messi. It is a general notion that this Argentine team are heavily reliant on the Barcelona skipper, which is true to a large extent. The PSG ace, however, insisted that the team is growing towards a point when they don’t have to lean on Messi all the time.

“When we played various games together (Rodri de Paul), we got it in our head that it was not an obligation to look for Leo on the pitch but to find him when he could take advantage of it. I think that even if his presence makes you want to give him the ball, it’s not always the best option.

“You have to be intelligent in this sense. You have to take decisions, good or not. One thinks they are taking the best decision. But you try to get away from this ‘responsibility’ of always giving it to him and try to find him when he can take advantage,” he said.

Paredes also revealed how some of the things that his captain does on the field leave him stunned, saying:

“What is most surprising about Leo is that he sometimes gets out of places in which we believe that we have to start running backwards. Sometimes you say: “he’s losing it, losing it …” and then he does not lose it. It is incredible.”

Paredes also spoke about how it was to share the dressing room with Messi and former Barcelona superstar, Neymar, who the midfielder plays with at PSG.

“I was lucky that both of them have treated me in the best way. They have made me feel very comfortable, I have a very good relationship with both of them,” said Paredes. “I really enjoy being able to play, sharing the dressing room and everything with them.”