He walked for 47% of the World Cup - the evolution of Messi
Lionel Messi has evolved his playing style at the World Cup, focusing on efficiency and playmaking rather than high-intensity running. Despite his age, he remains a central figure for Argentina as they prepare for a semi-final match against England.
Why it matters
Messi's adaptation demonstrates how elite athletes can maintain peak performance levels through tactical intelligence as they age.
Published 1 hour ago If Argentina are to become the first nation to successfully defend their World Cup crown since 1962 - and just the third ever - then Lionel Messi will have been at the centre of it.
The 39-year-old has sparkled at his sixth World Cup - a joint record with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa - scoring eight goals and providing three assists.
But while Messi leads the Golden Boot race with France striker Kylian Mbappe, the global audience has seen a very different Messi from the one who made his debut for Barcelona in 2003.
Argentina will renew a historical rivalry with England in the semi-finals on Wednesday (20:00 BST) at Atlanta Stadium, when the attention will fall on Messi once again.
Most players decline. The elite ones find ways to adapt. Ronaldo reinvented himself as a penalty-box predator when his pace went.
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