Top 5 players who reinvented themselves in a new position

When players like Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta step out onto the pitch, all the fans think they know where they’ll fit in the best. The best players of the game have created a niche for themselves in their favourite roles. Andrea Pirlo is the quintessential deep lying playmaker and Lionel Messi is the reference point for anyone trying to explain the concept of “False 9” to their friends. While it may seem that some players were just born for the positions they have mastered, a lot of them grew up learning to play in various positions, or had to come under the tutelage of the right manager to find their best role. Essentially Sports takes a look at some players who started out in a different role and got moved around before finding their best place on the football pitch.

Lionel Messi

Even the best player in world moved around a bit before realizing what his final tactical position was going to be. It took some trials and there were errors in the way, but the final cut made Lionel Messi way better than the others, hence making him the best. As a child, Messi’s favoured position was as the playmaker often known as the ‘enganche’ in Argentine football terms; gradually he developed his skills as a left winger when he first debuted his career in Spain. However, under Frank Rijkaard, he was shifted to the right side. There were certain improvements that showed in his performance; he was now able to cut inside which meant he could penetrate opposition defences more easily and could curl the ball with his left foot rather than crossing it onto his teammates, giving him more opportunities. This was a short term position that he would entertain, after which Guardiola would move him to the false nine role, a heavy duty to fulfil, certainly. This would allow him to play centrally and he moved to a deeper position – being in this position, he upped his game and linked up brilliantly with Xavi and Iniesta as he could create more space for dribbling and passing through. Messi’s transition from a right winger to a false nine has been nothing but fruitful for him and the results are there for all to see.

 Andrea Pirlo

 One of the most gifted and elegant players of the past decade, Andrea Pirlo is nothing short of legendary. Those beautiful build ups to the perfect goals, the delightful crosses and the tasteful free kicks all make him one of the very best. However, like any other footballer, Pirlo had to go through several runs of which position suits him better as an individual and as a team player. Starting off in an attacking role as a Central Attacking Midfielder, he excelled at ever level he played because of his creative vision and fantastic curling crosses. Conversely, he lacked pace which made this position difficult for him to keep up. He was then moved to a deeper role as a playmaker, also called the ‘regista’ position giving him opportunities to set up goal chances and this is where he flourished to be one of the best in the world. He made up for his lack of pace with intelligent movement and brilliant reading of the game, in both attack and defence, and his vision for the pass made him a world class asset as he went on to define the modern deep lying playmaker’s role . 

 Lilian Thuram

 One of the classiest defenders to play the game, the Frenchman has over 600 appearances in a sparkling career that include spells with Monaco, Juventus, Barcelona and Parma. Although he initially played as a right back, he would occasionally alternate with centre back which would eventually suit him better. Not only does he perform exceptionally well when placed in a defensive role, Thuram will tear the defence of the opponent apart If he had to with his attacking prowess, as he proved in the World Cup semi final with a brace against Croatia in ’98.

Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher spent 17 years with Liverpool, standing by all days of success and mayhem; never leaving the club alone goes to show how loyal and refined his nature always was as a player. From a tactical point of view, in his early days his favoured position was in the attacking area playing as a CAM or as a striker but then he discovered the art of defending and the rest was history. He honed his defending skills and played on as a defender for the rest of his career. As he started off as a right back, he soon realised his talent lied in the heart of the defence and made that position his own at Anfield.

Sergio Ramos

The 29-year old Spanish is praised for being a strong yet creative player who excels in the air and is a threat when it comes to set-pieces as he almost always scores from that position. Gifted with pace and excellent tackling abilities, Sergio Ramos has made a name for himself in the industry. He started off as a right back and was soon shifted to the centre back role to get more out of the player.