Lionel Messi vanishes as last chance saloon for definitive World Cup disappears

Lionel Messi of Argentina looks dejected after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Croatia at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 21, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (June 20, 2018 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images Europe)

It threatened to be a World Cup without Lionel Messi, but then the Barcelona man did his magic by scoring three goals against Ecuador to send Argentina roaring to Russia. But after conceding three goals to Croatia on Thursday, Argentina are hanging by the thread. They are now purring meekly.

Considering the stage, considering all that was at stake, this moment truly seemed poised for Messi to produce the sort of illuminating display that he has shown so regularly since 2008. It didn’t materialise.

The surprise is that for all the talk of Willy Caballero’s mistake and Jorge Sampaoli’s ludicrous tactical set up, the blame should also lay firmly in Messi’s court. He — of all footballers of this generation bar Cristiano Ronaldo — has earned the right for the extraordinary to be expected in extreme measures.

The greatest players on the planet are like that. They are not restricted by systems or position. Indeed, take any of history’s greats — Pele, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff — and the fluidity of their play meant they were always able to lift those around them regardless of tactical setups.

Even Messi’s decade long nemesis — Ronaldo, who has lit up this tournament — is of similar ilk. Both players are neither wingers nor strikers. They are forwards who roam free, maestros conducting the orchestra and dictating the rhythm of those around them. Almost always — despite anything and in spite of everything — great players find a way.

But now, Messi-dependence has turned one of the greatest players in history into a liability for his national side. The scrutiny has been severe and the pressure has bogged him down. Messi’s display wasn’t just about the tactics or the mistakes. His vanishing act was telling in that the rhythm of the team now affected him. Head down, shoulders shrugged, the armband seemingly weighing heavily upon him.

The forlorn figure he cut signaled that this was a player succumbing to it all. And with it probably Messi’s final chance of setting ablaze the tournament.

Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on dejected during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Argentina and Croatia at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 21, 2018 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. (June 20, 2018 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)

Perhaps, Argentina will still find a way — and if any team can do so, if any player can, Leo can. But the odds are stacked so heavily against this Argentina side that has endured loss in competition finals for three consecutive years between 2014 and 2016.

READ : BREATHLESS START TO WORLD CUP

It means Messi’s bow will leave many still debating the lack of a truly definitive World Cup moment. While his place among the greats is secured by the sheer brilliance of his club form, the blemish will always remain his lack of winning anything with Argentina (the Beijing Olympics gold medal in 2008 aside).

As such, much like Di Stefano who lacks a blot on football’s grandest stage. Much like Cruyff and Ferenc Puskas who never lifted the World Cup but like Messi got so close only to be denied by the [West] Germans.

Much like Lazlo Kubala, who built Barcelona but never realised definitive moments with his national side, Hungary. Messi’s last chance saloon for Argentina has come. With him disappearing at such a crucial moment, so has the chance vanished.

Copa America Centenario Power Rankings: Who will win it?

 

Four score and twenty years ago, the South American Football Championship was born. Now simply known as the Copa America, the world’s oldest continental football tournament celebrates its centenary.

It was only last year when a Jorge Sampaoli inspired Chile lifted the Copa America on home soil. And yet to the chagrin of many who decry the value of international tournaments in this club-filled modernistic age, the South American nations are

Has the FIFA Ballon d’Or lost its prestige?

In 1962, Josef Masopust won the Ballon d’Or.

Masopust may not even be the most famous player from Czechoslovakia at a time before the country balkanised into what is now the Czech Republic and the Republic of Slovakia. That honour would probably be bestowed upon Antonin Panenka. The Czech midfielder is famously known for his audaciously

Bayern dethrone mighty Barca

 

Bayern celebrating in last years Champions League Final *** image courteys of zimbio ***

Such is the nature of football that even in a score-line as emphatic as 4-0, it is the slimmest of margins that illuminate.

As such, it has been coming for some time now. Barcelona was bound to lose out someday. Dethroned they have been, but nobody thought it would come in this way.

Of the many traits that have been bestowed on this Barcelona side is the fact that it was never expected that they would capitulate in the same manner that Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team did in the 1994 Final. Whereas Cruyff considered identity above everything else, this Barca side had the insatiable desire to produce results on a constant occasion. Thus success has

Changing times for Barcelona and Bayern

What next? ***image courtesy of zimbio***

[This is a Champions League semi-final preview of Bayern vs Barcelona. For Dortmund vs Real Madrid, click here]

The change of guard is probably here. As the players step onto the pitch and listen to that Champions League anthem, they will know that the shaking of hands that follows may very well symbolise the passing on of the baton.

Bayern Munich are most certainly the next kings of Europe. It is they who look most likely to dominate Europe in years to come the same way Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona did. As such, Guardiola himself seems to acknowledge – he will be coaching the Bavarian side as from next season.

Bayern come up against a wounded

Titanium Messi

 

Messi is unstoppable!   *** image courtesy of zimbio ***

Sometimes, greatness is thrust upon human shoulders allowing superhuman feats to be achieved.

Lionel Messi is titanium. Hamstrung and clearly unfit, he ensured Barcelona would not fall. Starting from the bench, it was his introduction that allowed Barcelona to rise above the solid resistance that

No surprises in the Champions League

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Nobody in their wildest dreams would have imagined that it would be Chelsea, not Bayern Munich that would be climbing the steps of the Allianz Arena to accept the Champions League trophy from Michel Platini. The events that had just been witnessed signalled the culmination of a dream run by the London club. As such, it was a surprise.

That surprise however will not be

Twilight in Paris

 

This time, it was neither the Eiffel Tower nor the Arc de Triomphe. The discussion was not about famous paintings at La Louvre or of how a city invoked romance. Paris, was the venue, but the main attraction was the football over at the Parc de Princes.

This is what the Qatari aristocrats dreamed of when they

Barca rise to their level

Messi and Barca In Victorium *** image courtesy of zimbio ***

For all their brilliance and dominance. For all their trophies and triumphs. For all the records they have broken. All the times they have made us gasp in breathlessness, stand in awe, stare in amazement and applaud in appreciation; one thing remained. That for this generation of Barcelona players, a truly outstanding comeback was missing from the narrative.

Not anymore.

All the recent doubts, the

Milan on the brink of eliminating Barca

Is the end nigh for Barcelona? * image courtesy of zimbio *

Massimiliano Allegri was right. The Italian manager set up his team in the most Italian of fashions. No, not catennacio, but the reason behind it. Defensive solidity, mixed with attacking efficiency. Through it, AC Milan was able to perform on Barcelona, to use the most overused of clichés, the Italian job.

It was Allegri who had been displeased in the pre-match press conference. He had stated how angry he was that for the past 10 days leading up to his side’s Round of 16 first leg Champions League home tie, all the talk was of how once again, Milan would be victims of the all conquering Catalans. Certainly, there was something almost bitter about how he stated that come match day, the rules would not change and the game would, like any other game, still start at 0-0.

But rather than look like a man with a rant, he actually was a man with a plan.