How Lionel Messi evolved from goal-scoring forward to playmaker

The change had been predicted. Now the numbers are following suit. For years, certain pundits and former players were forecasting that Lionel Messi would evolve into a more classic playmaker, à la the sizeable cast of inventive No. 10s Argentina has produced. The logic was that, as he neared his 30s and his legs got slower, a deeper role would prolong his stay at the top by enabling him to rely more on technique and vision than pace and flair.