After as commanding an individual performance as you’re likely to witness, it’s laughable that many were writing Lionel Messi and his Argentina side off before their 3-1 victory in Ecuador.
Lest we forget that the No.10 has never fared well at altitude in the past. Six games for La Albiceleste, one win, and sickness aplenty. If ever there was a game to test the mental resolve of the world’s best player, this was it.
More so after Argentina went behind in the opening 40 seconds. This was the one single moment in qualification when everything was brought into sharp focus. It really was now or never. No second chances.
Fortunately, for Jorge Sampaoli et al, Messi works best when his back is against the wall.
It’s incredible to think that it’s almost a year since anyone else scored for Argentina, and still the locals are unhappy with La Pulga’s contribution on the world stage.
Against Ecuador he was peerless. Again.
Legendary.
A little give and go with Angel Di Maria started the comeback but his second and third were all his own work. The hat-trick goal was particularly sublime, chipping the keeper who stood tall in his area.
No wonder the entire bench came charging down the pitch to embrace the greatest player their country has ever produced.
The consistency that Messi has shown over the years in dragging both club and country to bigger and better things deserves far more acclaim than that which has come his way, particularly from his own people, to this point.
He’ll celebrate his 31st birthday whilst in Russia, and though he could conceivably make it to Qatar in 2022, he will be 35 by then and perhaps not as influential as he remains.
Therefore, he has to be given all of the tools to bring La Albiceleste what they’ve been craving since the days of Diego Maradona.
A World Cup win won’t change his importance in the annals of footballing history of course, but it would be a fitting bookend to the most brilliant of careers. No one is more deserving of the greatest prize that the game has to offer.
For now, let’s celebrate the fact that from the depths of despair, Messi has given hope to millions again. Pray he stays happy and injury free at Barcelona in the intervening period and then watch him on his one man destroying mission in Russia.
Vamos Leo!
