It wasn’t meant to be this way, and Argentina is trying to save the World Cup with Lionel Messi on the verge of exit.
In Argentina, there were high hopes that Lionel Messi would have a glorious final game before the World Cup started.
Prior to what he suggested would be his final attempt at World Cup success, the diminutive superstar with magic in his boots insisted that he was in excellent physical condition.
This trophy is all that Messi needs to complete his extensive collection of individual and collective accolades after winning La Liga ten times, the Ballon d’Or seven times, the Champions League four times, and the Copa America once.
Argentina came into the tournament on a momentous 36-match unbeaten streak having dazed severe opponents Brazil in their own backyard to win last year’s Copa America.
Argentina was being hailed as one of, if not the favorite nations by experts and followers all over the world.
The people of Argentina were letting themselves dream: One of the greatest players ever to play football was about to win the championship.
However, their shock 2-1 defeat on Tuesday to Saudi Arabia, a more athletic and tactically superior team, has brought them back to earth.
SPONSORED BY VUUKLE The realization that Messi’s World Cup story may just be about to come to an unfortunate end is far from frosting an already delicious cake.
In Argentina, the autopsy has already begun.
Fans and football pundits alike are debating whether the “Pibe” was truly fit.
Due to a knock to the calf, he missed a few group training sessions and continued with his own program.
Even though he was only wearing an ice pack, a picture of his apparently deformed ankle went viral on social media.
Even his club, Paris Saint-Germain, was singled out for what appeared to be their daring decision to play him week in and week out rather than wrap him in cotton wool so that he could arrive at the World Cup in the best possible shape to assist his nation.
– A stirring speech – Coach Lionel Scaloni was also criticized for failing to spring the Saudis’ high defensive line, as his team was offside seven times in the first half.
He was also scolded for their inability to overcome a resolute defense that grew even stronger once they took control.
However, the admission that Messi might not be as great as he once was was sobering.
even so, Messi continues to be the hero of a nation whose hopes rest on him.
Shortly after the Saudi game, accounts of his stirring speech to teammates on the bus surfaced.
The following day, he allegedly told them at training: The populace is of the opinion that this group will not leave them.
If Argentina is to win against Mexico on Saturday and keep their hopes of making it to the next round alive, Messi will need to rise above his poor performance against Saudi Arabia.