Martin Keown Explains How to Stop 'Total Greatness' of Lionel Messi

Solving the mystery of stopping Lionel Messi is something that many defenders have tried and, for the most part, failed at doing. 

Martin Keown had his fair share of daunting markers during his long Premier League career that included more than 300 appearances with Arsenal. 

During a question-and-answer session in the Daily Mail, the former Arsenal defender explained exactly how he'd deal with an attacker of Messi's otherworldly talent. 

He says that it's a matter of pride and, essentially, not being brutally embarrassed while the world's watching, like a certain Jerome Boateng was. 

The question was, "when you watch Messi, do you think: 'I'm glad I am retired?', or do you think: 'I'd love to stop him/kick him?'"

"

When you’re on the pitch with somebody who has that greatness, if they start running like that it can feel like they are taking the p--s. I always had a burning ambition to try and stop that person.

Watching Messi now, it is total greatness. But had I been playing I would have wanted to home in on him like a missile. It has to hurt you as a player if you think somebody can just run through your team. Every player should naturally want to try and stop him from making yards with the ball. It has to be a team responsibility to stop him and that is how you have to think.

Ultimately it comes from a deep desire to stop somebody of his talent from humiliating you. There is a rush of energy and a real burning desire to try and stop him. You hope that is a shared feeling among the team so you can stop him. Otherwise, with a player like Messi, you can see just what he can do to people.

Just ask Jerome Boateng.

"

He just couldn't resist, could he? 

[Daily Mail]