Almost eight years ago, Lionel Messi stood at MetLife Stadium, reflecting the weight of a national team in despair. After Argentina's narrow loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final, Messi made a statement that resonated heartbreakingly across the sports world. "For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can," he said, suggesting a retirement from international football at the age of 29.
At that moment, Messi had already cemented himself as the talisman of Argentina’s national team. Yet, it was a period of recurring heartbreak — Argentina had lost the 2014 World Cup to Germany, followed by back-to-back Copa America defeats to Chile in 2015 and 2016. The frustration was palpable, and the weight of expectations seemed to have taken its toll on the footballing maestro.
However, by August 2016, Messi reversed his retirement decision, determined to lead Argentina to long-awaited glory. This decision bore fruit years later, as Messi finally broke his international title drought, securing the 2021 Copa America and the coveted 2022 World Cup.
The Veteran and the New Blood
As Argentina’s roster for 2024 unfolds, Messi stands out as one of only three players who were also present in the 2016 squad. This hints at both the continuity and evolution within the team under Lionel Scaloni’s guidance. The current squad boasts promising young talents like 26-year-old center-back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old rising star Alejandro Garnacho.
A Mixed Performance Against Canada
In a recent match against Canada, Argentina managed 19 shots but fell short in converting their opportunities, underperforming on their expected goals tally of 3.02. The defensive side of their game also left room for improvement, as Canada managed to take 10 shots on Argentina's goal. Scaloni, ever the tactician, hinted at the need to tighten defensive efforts, particularly in limiting the opponent's attacking chances.
Romero and Lisandro Martinez have firmly solidified their positions as Scaloni’s center-back pairing of choice, providing a robust defensive backbone for the team. Despite the challenges, there were glimpses of Argentina's attacking prowess. Julian Alvarez, highly regarded for his partnership with Messi, opened the scoring, while Lautaro Martinez added a second goal, assisted by Alexis Mac Allister. Messi, yet again demonstrating his enduring elite capabilities, provided the assist for Lautaro Martinez’s goal.
The Present Focus
Reflecting on the team’s journey and forward-looking strategies, Messi remains central to Argentina's ambitions. In his own words, "The cups that Chile won, the cups that we won … that is in the past. We are living in the present and this team knows that very well. Each match is a different history and we have to face it as it comes. Previous titles don’t change that." This emphasis on the present underscores Argentina’s approach under Scaloni's leadership.
Scaloni, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and caution in strategy, said, "We have a very particular strategy and game plan and the opponent poses difficulties. What we do is try to adjust, try to avoid damage to our team and we will try to find the spaces, given the opponent, but the opponent will set the tone of its attack and of course, we will be cautious about that and it's valid to do so."
As Messi celebrated his birthday amidst intense preparations, Scaloni highlighted the value of living in the moment. "Everyone’s asking about the future, the past but this is the lovely present … The present is very important. What's in the past is in the past and he is enjoying his birthday. We want him to have a good time," he shared.
Even as Messi enjoys the twilight of his illustrious career, his presence continues to galvanize the Argentine squad. With a blend of seasoned veterans and vibrant young talent, Argentina aims to build on their recent successes, and eyes are trained on how they will navigate the challenges ahead.
The journey of Lionel Messi and Argentina encapsulates the essence of resilience and ambition. As they prepare for future tournaments, the focus remains clear: to embrace the present, learn from the past, and strive for greatness in every match.