It could have been oh so different and many of us, even with allegiances to other teams, hoped that maybe it would. For this might have been Leo Messi’s year.
World Cup 2018 promised a feast of football, served up by the very best talent on the planet, non greater than Messi. We have some big admirers of the little genius and his team here at SBOBET and the Albiceleste followers had high hopes.
Jorge Sampaoli’s team was fifth in the FIFA Rankings after all, and that’s higher than three of the four semi-finalists. And as 2014 finalists, they had every right to be optimistic…on paper.
But up against fierce opposition on grass, Argentina were found wanting. The maestro, having failed to inspire them one more time, was gone.
Surrounded by players of more modest ability, with the possible exception of Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Messi sometimes cut a lonely figure. He could have been going home even earlier were it not for a last-gasp winner, courtesy of defender Marcos Rojo as the group stages reached a climax.
A campaign of hope…then despair
Even before the finals began, Argentina’s journey to Russia was filled with peril. It even nearly ended in disaster before Messi dragged his team through almost singlehandedly.
The Barca man had briefly retired at the start of the campaign; and if he hadn’t changed his mind, Chile would most likely have been in Russia—in Argentina’s place.
Sampaoli brought his team to the finals with a rallying cry. However, according to World Cup 2018 news, he soon became the target for fans’ malcontent with rumours that Messi himself had more influence.
Landing in the Group of Death, the last thing Argentina needed was any lack of direction. And an opening day draw with Iceland, highlighted by Messi incredibly missing a penalty, did little to cheer the fans. And things took a turn for the worse when Sampaoli’s defence was ripped to shreds by a ruthless Croatia side in a 3-0 reversal.
One point from two games saw them bottom of the group, but just as they headed towards the exit, a brilliant strike from Rojo in the dying minutes against Nigeria kept them in and sent their hordes of passionate fans wild. But the World Cup 2018 odds were stacked against them on the realisation they faced one of the hot favourites in the Round of 16, Didier Deschamps’ France.
But they put up one heck of a fight in the game of the tournament and even gave their fans a reason to believe again when they went 2-1 ahead early in the second half. Nevertheless, Kylian Mbappe—who can now be considered heir apparent Messi’s crown—blew them away with two second-half goals.
So a 4-3 defeat to likely tournament winners was no disgrace, and probably the best way Argentina could hope to leave Russia. Though the excitement of the game only really papered over the cracks which were evident in Group D.
The last 16 was about Argentina’s level, something that will be hard for Messi to take.
So what’s next?
Going out after a patchy campaign was a heavy blow for Messi and it looks likely he may retire from international football. However, when he arrived in Russia, he did say he’d carry on until he lifts the Jules Rimet trophy.
As we know, Messi has retired before, in 2016, before reversing his decision. Could he possibly try one more time?
I doubt it. He’ll be 35 when the World Cup goes to Qatar and that looks a long, long way away. But as well as losing in the 2014 World Cup final, Messi has been on the losing side in three Copa America finals.
Does he have the stomach for another campaign in the Copa? Does he need it?
The hot money is on him joining the trend of players retiring from international football, at their peak, to concentrate on domestic matters. And at Barcelona, he wants for nothing.
If he does retire, then it might just bring new talent to the fore, in his national team, once they realise they can’t rely forever on one man.
Defensive frailty has often been Argentina’s undoing, and it was cruelly exposed again by Croatia and France. Nicolas Otamendi looked like the ponderous player who struggled on his arrival at Manchester City rather than the league winner, but Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico could be one for the future.
Up front, of course, Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain can score goals and Angel Di Maria can supply the ammunition, but there is serious rebuilding to be done if Argentina are to go further in Qatar.
And it needs to start now…Messi or no Messi.
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