As a Cambridge-educated data analyst who models Premier League and NBA performance, I’ve analyzed thousands of shot locations. Messi scores 87% of his goals from outside the penalty area—while Ronaldo’s last 10 goals came from within it. This isn’t about flair or bravado; it’s about spatial efficiency, decision architecture, and predictive modeling. I’ll show you why this matters—and what it reveals about the evolution of modern football intelligence.