Brazil-Argentina video games at all times throw up questions however one stands out forward of this Saturday’s Copa America closing in Rio de Janeiro: Can Lionel Messi lastly win an international title? The Barcelona participant has received each honour attainable at membership and particular person stage and is extensively thought of to be the best participant of the twenty first century and a powerful candidate, together with Pele and Diego Maradona, as the best of all time.
But he has by no means lifted any silverware with Argentina and the query for the 34-year-old is: If not now, when? “Messi has two chances left,” stated Tostao, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1970. “He has the Copa and the World Cup (in 2022) but the World Cup is difficult.”
There is not any clear favorite for Saturday’s recreation on the Maracana stadium, though Brazil have a barely higher report during the last 4 weeks and so they maintain house benefit. Messi, although, is in scintillating kind and leads the match in targets and assists. Of Argentina’s 11 targets, Messi has scored 4 and offered 5 assists.
“We are seeing an improved version of Messi,” Antonio Mohamed, former Argentina participant and now coach of Monterrey, wrote in Ole, an Argentine sports activities newspaper.
“Every time he touched the ball, three guys would be on top of him in the style of Maradona at his greatest.”
Messi’s dream
Messi has spoken at size concerning the dream of successful a title with Argentina and his compatriots know the way a lot an international trophy means to him. In the previous, his crew mates had been blamed for letting him down, by lacking possibilities in finals or failing to match his superhuman ranges of brilliance or focus.
Now, although, he has Argentina’s greatest crew in years round him and there are fewer excuses.
They are not the Argentina of 1978 or 1986 however below coach Lionel Scaloni the facet are unbeaten in 19 video games courting again to the final Copa America in 2019.
The older heads, like Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria, are conscious that successful the World Cup is an unlikely state of affairs and Saturday’s closing may very well be their final hurrah. The skilled gamers, and the children who’ve grown up idolising the person who would turn out to be their crew mate, know they’re taking part in not only for Argentina but in addition for Messi and the prospect to reward him with the title his performances deserve.
“We are all excited that Argentina can get the title, and that above all it is given to Leo,” stated Mohamed.
