Almost exactly eight years ago, Lionel Messi stood at MetLife Stadium, moments after Argentina's heart-wrenching penalty loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final, and delivered a stunning declaration. "For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can," Messi lamented, a sentiment that reverberated around the world of football.
At 29, Messi was already the engine and the heart of Argentina’s national squad, experiencing a succession of near-misses that would have broken many. It was the third consecutive summer of agony for Argentina, having previously lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and the 2015 Copa America final once again to Chile. The losses weighed heavily on him, prompting his brief but impactful retirement from international football.
However, Messi's break from the national team was short-lived. By August 2016, his passion and desire to don the iconic blue and white stripes saw him reverse his decision. Fast forward to today, and Messi stands not just as a player, but as a symbol of perseverance and dedication for Argentina, culminating his journey with victory in the 2021 Copa America and, more recently, in the 2022 World Cup, ending his long-standing trophy drought with the national team.
“The cups that Chile won, the cups that we won…that is in the past. We are living in the present,” Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni asserted, reflecting on how the team has learned to move beyond previous titles to face each new challenge with a fresh perspective. “Each match is a different history and we have to face it as it comes. Previous titles don’t change that.”
Entering the 2024 season, Messi, now a seasoned veteran, remains one of just three players from the 2016 roster still contributing to the national squad. Alongside him, the team now boasts young talents like 26-year-old center-back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old sensation Alejandro Garnacho, signaling a promising future for Argentine football.
The recent match against Canada, however, revealed areas where improvements are needed. Despite Argentina managing 19 shots, they underperformed on their 3.02 expected goals tally, highlighting inefficiencies in their finishing. On the defensive end, they allowed Canada to take 10 shots on goal, exposing vulnerabilities that could be a concern in more competitive fixtures.
Scaloni, pragmatic as ever, underscored the necessity for tightening up defensively. “We have a very particular strategy and game plan and the opponent poses difficulties,” Scaloni remarked. “What we do is try to adjust, try to avoid damage to our team.” His evaluation points to the need for balancing an aggressive attack with a resilient defense, something that Romero and Lisandro Martinez, now his preferred center-back pairing, will be crucial in achieving.
In the offensive department, there were flashes of brilliance, particularly from Julian Alvarez, who played a vital role alongside Messi against Canada, scoring the opening goal. Lautaro Martinez also made his mark by adding a second, courtesy of an assist from Alexis Mac Allister. Messi himself, in a testament to his undiminished skills, provided the assist for Martinez’s goal, further cementing his status as a player who, even in the twilight of his career, can still turn the game around.
Scaloni’s appreciation of Messi’s enduring presence was evident. “I think that it’s very important to have him here. Everyone’s asking about the future, the past, but this is the lovely present,” Scaloni noted. “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.”
Messi’s narrative with Argentina is a compelling tale of resilience, adaptation, and excellence. From the depths of despair in 2016 to the peaks of triumph in the following years, his journey exemplifies what it means to persevere. As he stands alongside a new generation of Argentine stars, the future looks promising for a team that, united by its past struggles, is poised to embrace whatever challenges come its way.