Marcelo Reveals Real Madrid’s Strategy to Handle Lionel Messi: Silence over Confrontation

The perennial question of how to stop Lionel Messi has baffled managers and defenders for almost two decades, with only sporadic success stories. Fede Valverde’s recent admission of not knowing how to thwart Messi prompted a reflection from former Real Madrid star Marcelo, shedding light on their approach during his time at the club.

In an interview with Charla podcast, Marcelo revealed the unspoken strategy employed by Real Madrid when facing Messi. “Messi didn’t talk during the games, and I tried not to talk to him because he was quiet,” Marcelo shared. The unspoken understanding among players was to maintain a certain level of silence, avoiding unnecessary confrontations with the Argentine maestro.

The reasoning behind this approach, as Marcelo explained, was the belief that attempting to obstruct Messi or provoke him during the game could have counterproductive consequences. Stirring his emotions could make him more challenging to handle on the pitch. The Real Madrid players recognized the danger of provoking Messi, preferring a quiet and focused approach to mitigate his impact.

Reflecting on the intense Clasico clashes, Marcelo acknowledged the historical battles between Sergio Ramos and Messi. While early in Messi’s career, rough treatment from opponents did little to deter him, instead fueling his determination to reach greater heights.

Marcelo’s insights provide a glimpse into the psychological tactics employed by Real Madrid against Messi, highlighting the delicate balance between challenging an opponent and avoiding actions that might elevate Messi’s performance to even more formidable levels.