LIONEL’S LEGACY
Winning for country is last thing to cement...
In the wake of the world’s best basketball player securing his legacy, now the planet’s biggest soccer star will try to do the same.
After LeBron James finally brought a title to Cleveland, now Lionel Messi attempts to accomplish the same feat for Argentina. FIFA’s top-ranked team faces defending champion Chile in the Copa America Centenario final Sunday at sold-out MetLife Stadium, out to end a shocking 23year title drought.
“I don’t know if it’d be a failure. ... Still, this is my third consecutive final and not winning it would be a big disappointment,’’ Messi said through an interpreter late Friday night at the W Hotel in Hoboken.
“The final is important for me because I could win a Copa America. ... It’s the third final I’ve got to play in with the national team, and I hope to change history one day and become a champion.’’
Those first two finals — gutwrenching losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and to Chile on penalties in last year’s Copa America final in Santiago — have left Argentina like the 1990s Buffalo Bills, and left the only five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner in history without a title like James had been before finally getting his first ring with the Miami Heat.
“He’s the face of the team. He’s a reflection of all of us to win [Sunday’s] match,’’ Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said Saturday at MetLife Stadium, adding of Messi “He’s found similar form as Barcelona.”
Messi’s form for club has been beyond reproach, leading Barce- lona to four UEFA Champions League crowns; but those losses for country are the only hole in his résumé. In his third straight final, Messi is just a win away from changing all that.
“We’ve been in spectacular form up to now; now it’s up to us to do it again on Sunday,’’ Messi said. “We don’t feel any pressure; we’re used to playing in finals — unfortunately we haven’t won one yet.’’
Considered the best player of his era, to join Pele and fellow Argentine Diego Maradona among the greatest of all-time many feel Messi must lead the Albicelestes to a title. After beating the U.S. 4-0 in the semis, Messi, who turned 29 on Friday, admitted his window may be closing.
“Winning would certainly be the best gift we could give, not only for me but the whole group. We must seize this opportunity and win the cup by any means,’’ Messi said.
“We’ve arrived spectacularly, but it’s true that we have to prove it on the pitch.’’
Behind Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal, Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez and latebloomer Jose Fuenzalida, Chile has grown as well since opening Copa America with a loss to Argentina on June 6. They drilled Mexico, 7-0, in the quarterfinal, then beat Colombia, 2-0, in the semis.
“The people want it and the players all want it, of course. That’s the reason we’re willing to give our all to turn around last year’s result,’’ said Martino, still waiting to see if he has Angel Di Maria available for the final. “What we can’t do is lose another finals match. Lose: That is what we can’t do.”