Messi
Flickr photo by Nathan Rupert shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND 2.0) license.

Messi’s legacy shouldn’t be tainted by heartbreak

Osama Saeed·
BarcelonaInternational
·0 Comments·

As the Albiceleste gear up for the World Cup, the footballing world is left to wonder if Messi can finally end his international trophy drought…

It’s a miracle he doesn’t break from the pressure upon him. Leo Messi on national duty is a visibly different person to the one who dons the claret and blue in Barcelona – and with Argentina, the stakes are almost always higher. While many consider Messi to be the greatest player to grace the game at club level, some believe he needs an international trophy to cement his place among the all-time greats.

Not only is this argument ill-founded, but is also disrespectful towards former greats like Paolo Maldini and Johan Cryuff – who also missed out on international accolades during their careers. Messi has not only led Barça to glory, but also propelled Argentina to within a whisker of international success, only to be undone by fate.

One would look up at the Argentina squad and marvel at its attacking prowess. Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria, Dybala, and Leo form the attack and their combined talent forced Icardi to be left behind. What more can a team desire, you’d think? I’ll tell you. Cohesion, chemistry, control, and responsibility. While the aforementioned players are the talismen for their clubs, they inexplicably fall short every time when playing for Argentina.

As the great Alex Ferguson puts it, attack wins you games but defence wins you titles. The midfield is chaotic at best, and Sampaoli is still playing Mascherano where he last played in his Liverpool days. Their control, chances created, wins, and hope stem from one player only; with Leo Messi carrying the weight of a nation on his shoulders heading into the 2018 finals.

To put things in perspective, the last time someone other than Messi scored for Argentina in an official match was 19 months ago – and even that came off a Messi assist.

When Messi haphazardly resigned after yet another final defeat in the 2016 Copa America final, Argentina plunged into darkness. Having lost only two World Cup qualifiers at home in history, they drew against Ecuador and lost to Paraguay (their first defeat after 32 wins). As Demicheles stated, “By some sort of coincidence, we seem to lose when Messi’s not there.”

Although it remains a team sport, it is no hidden fact that Leo Messi carried the side to three major sporting finals in three years. The fans might not be as unwaveringly loyal to the diminutive talisman as they have been to former greats like Maradona, but even they acknowledge this truth.

World Cup qualification looked bleak. Argentina FA was placed under FIFA administration following a rigged election. Accusations of bribing and corruption took centre stage. Tata Martino was replaced by Bauza, who was eventually replaced by Sampaoli. It took a mammoth effort by Messi to ensure World Cup qualification. Fate did provide a fairytale setting as Leo scored a hat-trick against Ecuador to ensure progression.

https://twitter.com/MessiZoneV2/status/1001226886247256065

The presence of an international trophy, or lack thereof, is irrelevant while debating over the greatest player of all time. Messi single-handedly decided fixtures en route to the finals of the 2014 World Cup, and the Copa America in 2015 and 2016. Years of putting in tremendous work left him broken and bruised. This is his biggest achievement in my opinion, eclipsing his unfathomable career in club football.

Although Messi has also carried his club side to glory since his coming of age in 2009, the fact that he has had the burden shared by other stars in Barcelona is what makes his achievements with the national side all the more special. Devoid of any trophy since 1990, and with the presence of big-game chokers in the dressing room, Leo managing three finals is an extremely underrated achievement – which is highlighted by the fact that with him in the national team for the last two sets of competitive qualifying campaigns, the win rate was edging around 70%. Without him, it was edging below 20%.

Pele won three World Cups and was never the highest scorer of his own team despite being the centre of the attack. Hell, he was out injured after the first match in the second World Cup and Brazil still managed to win. Such was the strength of that side – which also consisted of legends like Garrincha and Jarzinho. Maradona was supported by a team that aided him in difficult moments and was coached by the mesmerizing Luis Menotti. Leo is devoid of both; a well-performing team and a charismatic presence in the dugout.

The Argentine FA is in a mess. Without a plan, devoid of charisma and lacking the faith of the fans, players, or media. They’ve appointed seven coaches in ten years and each has been flayed alive by fans and media personnel alike for what is considered pitiful underachievement. Leo has performed for each and every one of them. It’s a mess.

In all truth, Argentina didn’t lose three finals because of Leo Messi, they played three finals because of him.

The guy Argentina will turn to in Russia is the same guy who the fans have consistently abused. The Argentine media love to portray Messi as someone who loves his club more than he loves his country. Despite the negatives, Leo will still provide an outlet for the hopes of a nation. He will be there doing his best as he always have.

It is a miracle he doesn’t break from the pressure upon him.