IS THIS MESSI’S TIME?
He’s done it all ... except win a World Cup title with Argentina
LIONEL Messi has unfinished World Cup business and sees the tournament in Russia as a last chance for him and his Argentina team-mates to lift the trophy.
Argentina’s hopes rest with their captain, who will turn 31 on June 24 and is most likely playing his last World Cup.
The Albiceste start their Russian campaign against World Cup newcomers Iceland today in Moscow in Group D, while group rivals Croatia and Nigeria meet in Kaliningrad.
Messi would dearly love to crown his career with the world title, a triumph which would cement his reputation as the greatest player of his generation.
At now his fourth World Cup, he also needs to make up for the disappointment of losing the 2014 final against Germany in Rio de Janeiro, and two more final defeats in the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.
“You have to think about this as the last and try to take advantage of the chance,” he has said.
Despite his enormous successes with Barcelona and five World Player of the Year titles, it took Messi some time to conquer the hearts of Argentina fans.
The frustration and disappointment of the penalty shoot-out loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final in 2016 led to him retiring from international duties. But he changed his mind a few months later and did not miss a game.
Messi says that since he has become a father – he has three children with Antonella Roccuzzo – he prefers to keep a low profile.
Others can do the talking for him.
“If Leo is fine, we’ll be fine,” goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero said at the team’s base at Bronnitsy, some 60km from Moscow.
And fellow keeper Nahuel Guzman said: “We have to know how to accompany him, he has to let himself be accompanied, we have to take away from him the responsibility he has.”
Argentina have not had the best of preparations: they were thrashed 6-1 by Spain in March and a planned friendly against Israel in Jerusalem was cancelled, although they did beat Haiti 4-0 with three Messi goals late last month.
Iceland can no longer be underestimated after reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 and qualifying for Russia at the top of a six-team group which also featured Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey to become the lowest-populated country to reach the final tournament.
Augsburg striker Alfred Finnbogason told public broadcaster RUV: “We believe that we can do anything and that we can beat anybody.” Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Smari Gudjohnsen, now a RUV pundit, also talks up Iceland’s chances.
“We are in a very good place now. This is a historical moment. Since the Euros there has been one success after another,” he said.
“I don’t think people can talk about luck anymore. We look forward to showing the world that we deserve to be here.”
Heimir Hallgrimsson, who was joint head coach at Euro 2016 and is now solely in charge after Lars Lagerback was appointed Norway coach, says the pressure is on Argentina.
“Argentinians demand that Argentina will win the World Cup,” he said.
“There are no such claims made for the Icelandic team. In that regard, we won’t break as many hearts if we don’t win the match, as would be the case in Argentina.” – Reuters