Circus ready to put on a show

ARGENTINA is the 2018 World Cup’s grippingly dysfunctional travelling circus.

Led by Barcelona genius Lionel Messi — the team’s player-coach if you believe some reports — and followed by a brutal press pack with a shadow cast led by flawed legend Diego Maradona, few want this thrilling rollercoaster to end. France had pencilled in Croatia, but this epic Round of 16 clash will leave another world soccer heavyweight joining Germany in exiting the World Cup early.

Tonight’s other match will also claim a big scalp, with Luis Suarez’s Uruguay facing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Argentina’s eternal challenge has been bringing the best out in Messi while getting the team to find a rhythm.

Inspired by Jorge Sampaoli’s ability to mould Chile around attacking ace Alexis Sanchez, the Argentine FA appointed their countryman a year ago with Russia 2018 qualification up in the air. Sampaoli’s first point of business was to contact the Barcelona magician, who cancelled holiday plans to join the team for the coach’s unveiling in Melbourne for the Brazil friendly.

“We want the world’s best player to feel happy being here,” Sampaoli said.

Argentina scraped into the World Cup finals but a penalty miss and thumping loss to Croatia quickly heaped pressure on Messi and co. To understand the pressure Messi carried on his shoulders, one of his last penalty misses for Argentina — the 2016 Copa America final — prompted him to retire from the national team. He overturned the decision six weeks later.

Argentine media outlets unleashed on Sampaoli for saying he was “proud” when Messi embraced him at the final whistle after Argentina’s dramatic win over Nigeria.

“When Leo came and hugged me, I felt very proud and happy,” Sampaoli said. “Every time Messi plays, he shows he’s a fantastic player, above everyone else.

“He needs support from his teammates, only then will he be able to play at his best.”