GLOBAL SPORTS DESK – Formula 1 sensation Max Verstappen has once again expressed his profound admiration for football legend Lionel Messi. The Red Bull Racing driver recently reflected on Messi’s footballing genius, specifically recalling the iconic assist to Nahuel Molina during the 2022 Qatar World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands.
Unmatched Vision and Skill
According to the three-time F1 World Champion, what Messi does on the pitch is often beyond human intervention. Verstappen emphasized Messi’s unique understanding of the game, noting that the Argentine doesn’t need to rely on constant running to create impact.
“He understands the game perfectly,” Verstappen remarked. “While many players have to run hard or scramble to create space to score, he doesn’t need to do that. He sees things others don’t.”
“Impossible to Defend”
Verstappen was particularly vocal about Messi’s ability to turn a game at any given moment. He noted that even when defenders believe they have him contained, Messi finds a way to exploit the smallest gaps.
“He can score from anywhere, at any moment. You might think you can stop him, but you can’t. He always finds an opening,” Verstappen said. He concluded his praise with a definitive statement: “It is simply impossible to defend against him.”
The 2022 World Cup Connection
The F1 star’s comments hark back to one of the most intense matches in recent World Cup history. The quarter-final between Argentina and Verstappen’s native Netherlands ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time. Despite a valiant Dutch comeback, Argentina triumphed in the penalty shootout thanks to two critical saves by Emiliano Martínez, eventually leading them to the world title.