Stopping Lionel Messi is impossible says Carlo Ancelotti

Three time champions league winner Carlo Anceletti figured out a way for teams to stop Messi  but concluded it is impossible.

Analysing the four times Ballon d’Or  winner  Ancelotti told the chinese media Sina Sports there is absolutely nothing any opposition can do if Messi is 100% fit.

‘My conclusion is, If Messi is 100% healthy, then trying to stop him is impossible, no matter who the coach is, or what defensive tactis are used.’

“Messi has such immense talent that opponents cannot make judgments in advance. You cannot control the outcome.”

But rather than just completely give up, Ancelotti, who has faced Messi numerous times as an opposing coach in the past, revealed that the best option is just to try and restrict the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as much as possible.

“The best way is to limit Messi is through other means, which requires a team effort, denying him the ball, and narrowing the gap between the [midfield and defence],” he went on to explain.

“It is important that large numbers of players must be arranged in midfield to disrupt Barcelona’s midfielders. Do not leave them to play his football freely to reduce the chance of Messi getting the ball.

“You have to retreat back up the field and also keep him away from his most dangerous position. To do this, your team must be united, must concentrate, and must not to make mistakes.”

But even if a team does all of that and manages to somehow inhibit Messi, other Barcelona players will step up and do the damage instead.

“You will face a problem in that Barça will attack another way. Once you focus on Messi, the balance of the defence is lost and the blow may then come from other people,” Ancelotti added