Are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo the “laziest” players in football?
A surprising ranking sparked debate. Messi and Cristiano top the list… but the context tells a different story.
Why do Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo appear among the “laziest” players?
A recent study by the CIES Football Observatory placed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo among the players who cover the least distance when their team does not have possession, triggering discussion across the football world.
The finding has been interpreted by some as a sign of “laziness,” but the report itself makes clear that this metric reflects tactical roles and energy management, not a negative evaluation of performance.
What exactly does the CIES study measure?
The analysis is based on the distance players cover when the opposing team has possession of the ball.
- It compares each player’s distance to the team average
- A lower index indicates less involvement in defensive phases
- The data includes players with more than 1,000 minutes in the 2025/26 season
This creates what the report describes as a ranking of “off-ball activity,” rather than a direct measure of effort or quality.
Why are forwards dominating this ranking?
The list is made up almost entirely of attackers, including Kylian Mbappé, alongside Messi and Cristiano.
This is because forwards tend to reduce their movement when possession is lost, positioning themselves higher up the pitch to be ready for counterattacks.
Do Messi and Cristiano actually run less?
Yes, but context matters.
Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have developed playing styles that prioritize efficiency, choosing when to move rather than maintaining constant defensive pressure.
This allows them to conserve energy and remain decisive in attacking situations.
The Mbappé case and the modern paradox
The study also includes Kylian Mbappé, one of the fastest players in the world, highlighting that speed does not necessarily translate into more distance covered without the ball.
Even highly pressing teams, such as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, can operate within systems where the striker is not heavily involved in defensive pressing.
Conclusion: data vs perception
The CIES study does not claim that Messi or Cristiano are “lazy,” but rather shows how certain players prioritize attacking impact over constant movement.
In modern football, running more does not always mean performing better. And in the case of these two legends, their influence on the game remains unquestionable.
