Top 5: Athletes Who Could Play In The NFL
By J.R.
Current Sport/Team: Soccer, FC Barcelona/Argentina National Team
Height/Weight: 5’7″, 150 lbs
Position in Football: Slot Receiver/Scat Back, Kicker
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the best soccer player in the world and he garners the next spot on my list. While Messi is definitely undersized for a NFL receiver he is so quick with his feet he would have the natural ability to make defenders miss and enough top end speed to make big plays. After all you don’t win 3 straight FIFA player of the year awards without having superb agility and speed. The Raiders need a guy that can turn something into nothing and Messi is our best non football player to fill that need. Think of Tavon Austin or Wes Welker and that is the kind of player I think Messi could be. That is if he can catch the football and that is a big if. Like Heyward we would get him in a NFL training program just so we can help him last for a NFL season. Lionel Messi could be the next great slot receiver if he developed reliable hands, the Raiders are always looking for more offensive playmakers and that’s what would make Messi a fit. Another benefit of having Messi is you wouldn’t need to sign a kicker to the roster. I’m sure Messi could be as reliable a kicker as Jano was last year and you would be getting a 2 in 1, that is something every Raiders fan could get behind.