Messi's Mileage: How Many Miles Does He Run Per Game?
The Truth About Messi’s Running: Less Than You Think!
Well, if you’re picturing Lionel Messi dashing around the field like a long-distance runner, I’ve got news for you—it’s not what you expect. Unlike midfield workhorses who rack up insane mileage, Messi moves smart.
So, how many miles does Messi actually run per game? On average, it’s around 4.5 to 5.5 miles (7 to 9 km)—far less than your typical box-to-box midfielder who covers 7-9 miles. But here’s the thing: every step he takes is calculated.
Why Messi Runs Less but Smarter Than Most Players
The Art of Walking (Yeah, Really)
If you’ve ever watched Messi closely, you’ll notice something weird. He walks. A lot. Some stats even show that he spends more than 80% of the match walking.
At first, this sounds crazy—shouldn’t the greatest player in history be sprinting all the time? But no. Messi’s secret weapon is his ability to analyze the game while conserving energy. He scans the field, watches defenders, and waits for the perfect moment to explode.
I remember talking to my friend Lucas (a Messi fanatic) about this. He sent me a heatmap of Messi’s movement from a Champions League match, and I was stunned—so much of it was slow walking. Then, BAM—when the moment came, he burst into a sprint, leaving defenders for dead.
Sprinting at the Right Time
Messi may not run all game, but when he does? It’s lethal. He has these short, explosive bursts—the kind that make defenders look like they’re moving in slow motion.
He typically records around 50-60 sprints per game, with speeds hitting 20-21 mph (32-34 km/h) in his prime. It’s these selective sprints that make him so deadly.
How Messi’s Running Compares to Other Players
If you compare Messi’s distance covered to other stars, the difference is pretty obvious:
| Player | Average Miles Per Game |
|---|---|
| N'Golo Kanté (Midfielder) | 7-9 miles (11-14 km) |
| Kevin De Bruyne (Midfielder) | 7-8 miles (11-13 km) |
| Cristiano Ronaldo (Forward) | 5.5-6.5 miles (9-10 km) |
| Lionel Messi (Forward) | 4.5-5.5 miles (7-9 km) |
It’s no surprise midfielders cover the most ground—they’re constantly tracking back, pressing, and linking play. Strikers and wingers, on the other hand, focus on explosive movements. And Messi? He’s mastered the balance of effort and efficiency.
What This Means for Messi’s Longevity
Honestly, this style of play is a game-changer for his career. Look at players like Wayne Rooney or Eden Hazard—they used to sprint non-stop, and their bodies broke down way earlier than expected.
Messi, though? He’s been playing at an elite level for over 18 years, and he’s still running the show at 36. The fact that he doesn’t waste energy on unnecessary running is a huge reason why.
So, Should You Run Less Like Messi?
Well… unless you have the vision, skill, and football IQ of Lionel Messi (spoiler: you don’t, I don’t either), then probably not! Most players need to run more to stay involved in the game.
But what you can learn from Messi is efficiency. Instead of running for the sake of it, think about where and when to make your moves. That’s what separates good players from great ones.
So, next time you watch Messi, don’t just focus on what he does with the ball—watch what he does without it. You’ll see a genius at work, running less, but dominating more.
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Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
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Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.