Regardless of being (in my opinion) the best player ever, there has always been one major criticism of Lionel Messi - no major honours with Argentina. It is something that has overshadowed one of the best careers ever in football, and something that makes him a divisive figure in Argentine football. Some love him, some do not.
Messi has come so close so many times over the years with Argentina. A World Cup final in 2014 and successive Copa America defeats in 2015 and 2016 as well as in 2007. The 2016 defeat hit Messi the hardest, retiring in the aftermath but returning some months afterwards. The 2018 World Cup was also earmarked as a potential triumph for Argentina, but it was disastrous for a number of reasons, and despite Messi's best efforts, crashing out in the Round of 16.
What has changed since 2018? Well, highly criticised manager Jorge Sampaoli has left and been replaced by, part of his management team, Lionel Scaloni, mainly due to being cheap for the Argentine FA. Higuain, the man who has performed the worst in finals, has retired and Messi, with his idol Pablo Aimar as assistant, has come back refreshed, more determined than ever.
As captain and their best player, there is an (unfair) expectation placed on Messi. It is between him and Maradona who contest to being Argentina's best ever player and the feeling is Maradona edges Messi due to dragging Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986. Messi, a multiple loser, has not, and because of that, he is not viewed the same in his country than in Europe.
COMNEBOL do seem intent on trying to give Messi every chance of winning a trophy with Argentina as there is also another Copa America next year, which Argentina will co-host with Colombia. That may be Messi's final chance to win silverware with La Albiceleste. His rival Cristiano Ronaldo, just last week, won his second major honour with Portugal. If Messi is to claw back some points in their battle, success is vital with Argentina.
But do Messi and Argentina have a chance?
The state of South American football is not great, which is promising. The favourites are Brazil, the host nation, but they have concerns at striker and in midfield. Chile have an ageing squad that is past its best and Colombia have not fully adapted to Queiroz's tactics. Uruguay, under Tavarez, are the ones to fear. They may also have an ageing squad but know their roles inside out and, in my opinion, if Cavani had not got injured at the World Cup, they would have had a good chance to win the entire tournament.
For Argentina, their problems lie in defence. The production line of talented youngsters, that won the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and 5/7 U20 World Cups from 1995-2007, may have reached its end, and the same systems are not in place to do so. The midfield and forward players have always been Argentina's specialities but a lack lustre defence has been the downfall most recently. Tagliafico has had a phenomenal time this season at Ajax, but it remains to be seen whethere he'll translate that form to the Copa America or, like many others, bottle when Argentina and Messi need it the most.
There is hope, though. As already stated, most of the fancied countries are having difficulties but so are Argentina so, in that respect, it makes things somewhat equal. Time is running out for Messi. Come to the next World Cup, he will be 35 so his only realistic chances of silverware will be this year and next year.
Messi deserves Argentina glory but this is football, and even the greatest may not get what he undeniably deserves. The final is in the Maracana where 5 years ago, Messi lost the biggest game of his life. What a way it would be to gain redemption and, ultimately, salvation from the previous Argentinian gods in that very stadium.
All we can do is hope.
Messi has come so close so many times over the years with Argentina. A World Cup final in 2014 and successive Copa America defeats in 2015 and 2016 as well as in 2007. The 2016 defeat hit Messi the hardest, retiring in the aftermath but returning some months afterwards. The 2018 World Cup was also earmarked as a potential triumph for Argentina, but it was disastrous for a number of reasons, and despite Messi's best efforts, crashing out in the Round of 16.
What has changed since 2018? Well, highly criticised manager Jorge Sampaoli has left and been replaced by, part of his management team, Lionel Scaloni, mainly due to being cheap for the Argentine FA. Higuain, the man who has performed the worst in finals, has retired and Messi, with his idol Pablo Aimar as assistant, has come back refreshed, more determined than ever.
As captain and their best player, there is an (unfair) expectation placed on Messi. It is between him and Maradona who contest to being Argentina's best ever player and the feeling is Maradona edges Messi due to dragging Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986. Messi, a multiple loser, has not, and because of that, he is not viewed the same in his country than in Europe.
COMNEBOL do seem intent on trying to give Messi every chance of winning a trophy with Argentina as there is also another Copa America next year, which Argentina will co-host with Colombia. That may be Messi's final chance to win silverware with La Albiceleste. His rival Cristiano Ronaldo, just last week, won his second major honour with Portugal. If Messi is to claw back some points in their battle, success is vital with Argentina.
But do Messi and Argentina have a chance?
The state of South American football is not great, which is promising. The favourites are Brazil, the host nation, but they have concerns at striker and in midfield. Chile have an ageing squad that is past its best and Colombia have not fully adapted to Queiroz's tactics. Uruguay, under Tavarez, are the ones to fear. They may also have an ageing squad but know their roles inside out and, in my opinion, if Cavani had not got injured at the World Cup, they would have had a good chance to win the entire tournament.
For Argentina, their problems lie in defence. The production line of talented youngsters, that won the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and 5/7 U20 World Cups from 1995-2007, may have reached its end, and the same systems are not in place to do so. The midfield and forward players have always been Argentina's specialities but a lack lustre defence has been the downfall most recently. Tagliafico has had a phenomenal time this season at Ajax, but it remains to be seen whethere he'll translate that form to the Copa America or, like many others, bottle when Argentina and Messi need it the most.
There is hope, though. As already stated, most of the fancied countries are having difficulties but so are Argentina so, in that respect, it makes things somewhat equal. Time is running out for Messi. Come to the next World Cup, he will be 35 so his only realistic chances of silverware will be this year and next year.
Messi deserves Argentina glory but this is football, and even the greatest may not get what he undeniably deserves. The final is in the Maracana where 5 years ago, Messi lost the biggest game of his life. What a way it would be to gain redemption and, ultimately, salvation from the previous Argentinian gods in that very stadium.
All we can do is hope.
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