Troost-Ekong’s Tactical Tips: How to Shut Down Messi at the 2026 World Cup
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong shared his plan for denying Lionel Messi space after Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria. Ekong spoke as an analyst on SuperSport and warned against fixed man-marking. He explained that following Messi everywhere only pulls defenders out of position, creating gaps for his teammates. Instead, he stressed situational proximity. When Messi drifts to the edge of the box, the nearest defender must stay within a metre to block first-time shots. Ekong criticised Austria’s backline for failing to close him down and allowing Messi to score twice.
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