Diego Simeone’s Only Masterplan to Stop Lionel Messi Revealed

• Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier says Diego Simeone had only one word of advice going into games against Lionel Messi
• Messi is a specialist in scoring against Atletico Madrid, netting 32 times in 42 games
• Simeone has been in charge at the Wanda Metropolitano since 2011 and has won two La Liga titles and two Europa League trophies

Ex-Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier has disclosed how Diego Simeone would prepare his team against Lionel Messi.

Trippier, 32, left Tottenham in 2019 to join the Rojiblancos in the Spanish top flight.

During his three-year stint with the Madrid-based club, the right full-back cross swords against Barcelona on numerous occasions.

And during tactical pre-game meetings ahead of clashes against the Catalan giants, Atletico manager Simeone had only one word for his players before facing Messi.

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Trippier told GOAL: "It's funny because obviously Simeone was the manager [and] they are both Argentinian. Even he would say before the meetings, just basically 'pray.' You just can't do anything. You can't organise or set up to stop him because he's that unique."

How Trippier fared in Spain

Alongside Luis Suarez and Joao Felix, Tripper played a crucial role as Atletico Madrid clinched the La Liga title in the 2020/21 season.

That season, Messi netted 30 league goals to take home the Pichichi trophy, given to La Liga’s top scorer, Sports Mole reports.

In the history of Spanish football, no footballer has won the Pichichi more times than the Argentinian phenomenon.

Simeone gets Atletico backing

Diego Simeone’s position as Atletico Madrid manager is still safe after getting a vote of confidence from the club’s hierarchy, despite a turbulent start to the season for the La Liga giants, Sports Brief earlier reported.

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The Argentine manager has seen his team struggle in all competitions this campaign. They have been eliminated from the Champions League group stage and also lie 5th in La Liga.

According to Tribal Football, Atletico Madrid chief, Miguel Angel Gil Marin has now assured Simeone that he still retains the confidence of the board. He described Simeone as an important character in the history of the club.