--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to…" description: "\"If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to watch and difficult to stop. You have to double up on him, triple up on him even, stay with him constantly to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/per-mertesacker-6549_difficult_if-messi-has-the-ball-he-is-fantastic-to_1965567.jpg" --- # If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to watch and… ![“If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to watch and difficult to stop. You have to double up on him, triple up on him even, stay with him constantly to block his way to the goal.” quote by Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/per-mertesacker-6549_difficult_if-messi-has-the-ball-he-is-fantastic-to_1965567.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/per-mertesacker-6549_difficult_if-messi-has-the-ball-he-is-fantastic-to_1965567.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/per-mertesacker-6549_difficult_if-messi-has-the-ball-he-is-fantastic-to_1965567.jpg) > “If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to watch and difficult to stop. You have to double up on him, triple up on him even, stay with him constantly to block his way to the goal.” [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defending top players requires constant, layered pressure to limit their impact. **In simple terms:** Stop stars by staying close and aggressive. Key Takeaway Apply relentless, coordinated defense. Themes sports strategy teamwork defense Mood analytical strategic Type tactical instructional When to use this quote - football coaching - player scouting - match preparation Key Concepts pressing tactical discipline Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance aggression with defensive stability? - What alternatives exist to neutralize star players? A Different Perspective Excessive pressure can fatigue defenders and create gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ball/) [Ball Fantastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ball-fantastic-3269663/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Double Triple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/double-triple-3069145/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Messi Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messi-ball-3003532/) [Stay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay/) [Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop/) [Watch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watch/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [When Messi has the ball centrally, with time, he has so many options to hurt you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/when-messi-has-the-ball-centrally-with-time-he-has-so-many-options-to/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [I love watching Messi with the ball at his feet. He scores goals and everything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronaldo/i-love-watching-messi-with-the-ball-at-his-feet-he-scores-goals-and/) [Ronaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronaldo/) > [I love Messi with the ball at his feet: he scores goals and does all the rest, too. But Cristiano's numbers can't be ignored.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronaldo/i-love-messi-with-the-ball-at-his-feet-he-scores-goals-and-does-all/) [Ronaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronaldo/) > [If I had planned to score double and triple hundreds, I would probably not have made them ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virender-sehwag/if-i-had-planned-to-score-double-and-triple-hundreds-i-would-probably/) [Virender Sehwag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virender-sehwag/) > [A lot of times getting double- or triple-teamed, like triangle-and-two, it just made me be more of an all-around player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-davis/a-lot-of-times-getting-double-or-triple-teamed-like-triangle-and-two/) [Baron Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-davis/) > [Women need to double and triple men to demonstrate their experience and qualifications.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcginty/women-need-to-double-and-triple-men-to-demonstrate-their-experience/) [Katie McGinty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcginty/) > [I make the game easy. Double and triple me, I'll kick it out to you for a wide-open shot. I'll add years to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-make-the-game-easy-double-and-triple-me-i-ll-kick-it-out-to-you-for/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [You don't simply tell someone to get out there and win the tennis match. You say 'move your feet' or 'watch the fuzz on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-nyad/you-don-t-simply-tell-someone-to-get-out-there-and-win-the-tennis/) [Diana Nyad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-nyad/) > [It feels silly to watch endless hours of winter sports every four years, when we never watch them any other time, and we don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/it-feels-silly-to-watch-endless-hours-of-winter-sports-every-four/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [Even though I only get a few days off, I do not stop, whether it's getting some stage time at an open mic or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolph-ziggler/even-though-i-only-get-a-few-days-off-i-do-not-stop-whether-it-s/) [Dolph Ziggler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolph-ziggler/) > [I'd always vaguely expected to outgrow my limitations. One day, I'd stop twisting my hair, and wearing running shoes all the time, and eating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/i-d-always-vaguely-expected-to-outgrow-my-limitations-one-day-i-d/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Our democracy cannot be left in the hands of those who would rather watch or participate in a train wreck than stop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/our-democracy-cannot-be-left-in-the-hands-of-those-who-would-rather/) [Kimberle Williams Crenshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) ## More by Per Mertesacker > [When you step up as a young talent, you need to challenge the old lads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/when-you-step-up-as-a-young-talent-you-need-to-challenge-the-old-lads/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [Sometimes you need a humbling experience to think about a few things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/sometimes-you-need-a-humbling-experience-to-think-about-a-few-things/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [We cannot take responsibility for every goal we concede, we all need to do our part across the field to ensure we win as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/we-cannot-take-responsibility-for-every-goal-we-concede-we-all-need/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [There are not a lot of German players out there who are successful in a foreign country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/there-are-not-a-lot-of-german-players-out-there-who-are-successful-in/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [I've never had that dream in my head: 'I want to play Bundesliga or Premier League.' I was a fan, but it was never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/i-ve-never-had-that-dream-in-my-head-i-want-to-play-bundesliga-or/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [I invested a lot in my fitness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/i-invested-a-lot-in-my-fitness/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [My father said, 'You're not going to make it.' That took a lot of pressure from me. I took football like a hobby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/my-father-said-you-re-not-going-to-make-it-that-took-a-lot-of/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [I had a totally different upbringing, totally different background, raised in Germany, small town, now I am in London taking care of 180 kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/i-had-a-totally-different-upbringing-totally-different-background/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [As long as you are winning it is a good day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/as-long-as-you-are-winning-it-is-a-good-day/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [You spend some time with kids, you always take something with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/you-spend-some-time-with-kids-you-always-take-something-with-you/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [Obviously, everyone looks at whether we bring young footballers into the first team, that's one of the goals. But I wouldn't discard someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/obviously-everyone-looks-at-whether-we-bring-young-footballers-into/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [I never heard anything about 'potatoes' or 'kanaken' during my time in the national team. However I have been called 'potato,' too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/i-never-heard-anything-about-potatoes-or-kanaken-during-my-time-in/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [Wenger has won three Premier League titles, which is proof enough of his standing as a manager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/wenger-has-won-three-premier-league-titles-which-is-proof-enough-of/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [I think it is so beneficial to English and British football when youngsters see different cultures and environments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/i-think-it-is-so-beneficial-to-english-and-british-football-when/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) > [I was lucky to get a professional contract. I wasn't that sort of talent that is considered to be a professional player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/per-mertesacker/i-was-lucky-to-get-a-professional-contract-i-wasn-t-that-sort-of/) [Per Mertesacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) [Explore all 98 Per Mertesacker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/per-mertesacker/) ## More Ball quotes > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [Sometimes in midfield, it's nice because you do get a little bit more of the ball, and maybe out wide you rely on people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/sometimes-in-midfield-it-s-nice-because-you-do-get-a-little-bit-more/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [After '8 Mile' came out and blew up, the ball has been rolling ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-benson-miller/after-8-mile-came-out-and-blew-up-the-ball-has-been-rolling-ever-since/) [Omar Benson Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-benson-miller/) > [I don't believe in moral victories. I don't think in pro ball they exist, and they shouldn't exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-witten/i-don-t-believe-in-moral-victories-i-don-t-think-in-pro-ball-they/) [Jason Witten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-witten/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [In Memphis we don't talk. We ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-conley-jr/in-memphis-we-don-t-talk-we-ball/) [Mike Conley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-conley-jr/) > [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [I'm good with the ball, I can score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-bergwijn/i-m-good-with-the-ball-i-can-score/) [Steven Bergwijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-bergwijn/) > [The golf ball doesn't care about know how hard you're working, or how many hours you slept that night. It only matters, what speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-hovland/the-golf-ball-doesn-t-care-about-know-how-hard-you-re-working-or-how/) [Viktor Hovland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-hovland/) > [Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-finch/throwing-a-ball-is-not-natural-whether-it-s-overhand-or-underhand/) [Jennie Finch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennie-finch/) > [I have to chase down the most scientifically efficient way to get the golf ball in the hole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-dechambeau/i-have-to-chase-down-the-most-scientifically-efficient-way-to-get-the/) [Bryson DeChambeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-dechambeau/) > [I dislike the gym, but I'll chase a tennis ball all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-kuchar/i-dislike-the-gym-but-i-ll-chase-a-tennis-ball-all-day/) [Matt Kuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-kuchar/) > [There's one ball on the field, and that ball is mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salvador-mendoza/there-s-one-ball-on-the-field-and-that-ball-is-mine/) [Salvador Mendoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salvador-mendoza/) [Browse all 1,822 Ball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to watch and difficult to stop. 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