The Argentinian great, who has revitalized Inter Miami, has a knack for finding the perfect positions at the right times, as if he can see ahead.

Today, winning a professional soccer match is hard.

Trying to beat an opponent who plays like he can see the future is practically difficult.

Coaches who worked with Lionel Messi tried to stop him from scoring and defeating their teams because he became a unique danger with a ball.

Neither man, zonal marking, changing the amount of defenders, pressing, parking the bus, or any other tactical strategy has worked better to restrict Messi.

Sometimes something works, but that’s usually more of a team effort to restrict Messi’s effect than a film room or practice field tactic.

FC Barcelona’s La Masia youth program produced the unstoppable 36-year-old World Cup winner, who could be stopped in one method.

He needed to go.

It happened this summer when Messi left the Old World for the New, so technical staffs across North America are now trying to defang arguably the best soccer player ever, who keeps scoring with Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer.

Atlantic opponents have swiftly experienced what European opponents expected long ago.

After a gut-wrenching 120-minute U.S. Open Cup semifinal defeat to Miami on Aug. 23, FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan documented this truth. Messi had two assists, the latest of which rescued his side in the 97th minute with a brilliant pass into the box.

After the clear Supporters’ Shield leaders lost for just the second time in 18 matches at home this year, Noonan remarked, “he still understands how to find the game and find the ball and moments to make plays.” Even when you do things well and face pressure from a great player like him, he may defeat you one-on-one, changing how you defend the goal.

The offensive midfielder of all attacking midfielders, a walking defibrillator, has energized his new team with 11 goals and three assists since July 21, when Miami won the Leagues Cup.

Messi extended his undefeated streak to 10 matches (nine wins) with a 0-0 draw at home against Nashville on Wednesday. Nashville, under English manager Gary Smith, defended well in their second match in two weeks, blocking Miami’s goal area with a deep low block.

Miami’s first match without a goal with Messi was against the league’s poorest squad, together with former Barcelona colleagues Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Sunday night at BMO Stadium, the reigning MLS Cup winner Los Angeles Football team tries to become the first CONCACAF team to defeat the world’s finest player since he came playing his happy, fascinating best.

Despite Wednesday’s outcome, LAFC won’t copy Nashville’s strategy.

“We are not a team that could defend in the box for 90 minutes,” said LAFC defender Giorgio Chiellini, who anchored Juventus and Italy’s back lines that Messi exploited. “A different philosophy. A distinct player quality.”

LAFC sticks to their “rock and roll” vertical, high-pressing, turnover-inducing approach.

“We can have some adjustments,” Chiellini added, “but not completely change our philosophy because this won’t work 100%.

“The only way to succeed is for the whole team to work together. Respect but don’t be afraid.”

LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo, his staff, the club’s analytics experts, and the players had five days to figure out how to play 11-on-11 with Messi.

“Because of obviously his ability and the way he plays it’s an illusion to try and think you can stop him for 90 minutes,” Cherundolo said Friday.

LAFC head coach remarked, “If you try and focus on that you’re going to lose out on opportunities to actually beat Miami.” We concentrate on making sure they have to defend, work hard, and put in a great effort to defeat us. We concentrate on that, not just one situation.”

Video scouting started on Monday with assistant coach Marc Dos Santos leading preparation.

Cherundolo and assistant coach Ante Razov stagger such roles based on LAFC’s monthly game count.

Dos Santos scouted Messi before. As the Canadian coach finished his UEFA pro license last November, he broke down a Champions League encounter between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain a few weeks after winning the MLS Cup.

“Never last year did I think I’d be doing a report where I actually have to talk about Messi, but against us,” he remarked. “I told Ante now it’s real.”

Dos Santos focused on Miami, breaking down video into manageable pieces for players to see in the three days before the match. “The choice of clips has to be very coherent,” he added. “If you show a little of everything they don’t get one clear message.”

LAFC watches footage from an opponent’s last five games and uses analytical team data to contextualize trends of play.

LAFC looks for five important moments against any opponent.

The run-of-play—defensive and offensive organization, respectively—consists of four occurrences and is instructed on successive days.

The sixth part is sets. The greatest defense against Messi has historically been not surrendering them, which is easier said than done like everything else his opponents face.

For instance, recognizing his movement’s individuality.

“He doesn’t walk,” Dos Santos added. I’d call it roam. Hang out. Predicting the ball’s path. Then he scans. Going gonna happen. It’s insane. His explosion occurs suddenly. Sees something. This is its development. Almost like he sees the future. He looks forward whether strolling or wandering. I noticed that. This is where the ball goes. He goes there.”

Messi teams are transition offense nightmares. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino can create teams around the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s superhuman soccer IQ by running straight at defenders or finding teammates in space when no one else would attempt.

Greatness is finding the perfect positions at the appropriate times while seeming to stroll while everyone else huffs and puffs about the field.

“He could seem sleepy for 85 of 90 minutes but in that five minutes that is split in 10 actions of 30 seconds, he could be devastating,” Chiellini remarked. That’s the issue. A major issue. He could transform the game in 10 seconds. A top player.”

That’s Messi. On Sunday, LAFC will attempt that solution.