Leo Messi has already said that this is going to be it for him. This is the last World Cup that he’s going to be a part of. The good news for him is that, at least heading into the tournament, this seems to be the best roster he’s had to work with. Maybe names, and talent wise there were better rosters with Argentina, but this team has an identity. They know what they do well, and they are adeptly balanced top to bottom. Coach Leonel Scaloni has fixed Argentina’s defensive woes that had plagued the team for generations. Messi has more help in the midfield. It’s time to ask a very real question: is Argentina a title contender?
The Pieces Around Lionel Messi That Argentina Features
This is the key to this Argentina team. Going back to some of the teams that Messi has been a part of at World Cups his best tournaments came when two things combined. Number one he had teammates around him who were also in their prime or close enough to it to be able to compete. At the same time he had stability at the manager spot.
The late Alejandro Sabella built an Argentina team that featured arguably Lionel Messi in his prime form back in 2014. Also, though, he found center backs like Otamendi, and Ezequiel Garay who were in good form. Mascherano was great throughout the tournament as well. Aguero, Lavezzi, and Di Maria were all in their prime. With all of these things coming together the team made it to the finals! Although Jose Nestor Pekerman’s 2006 team wasn’t as successful as the 2014 team it was also a competitive bunch with Messi being a complementary piece in that squad.
Then you go to the 2010 or 2018 tournaments, and you see that the late Diego Maradona, and Jorge Sampaoli couldn’t provide stability as Argentina managers. The players on the squad weren’t necessarily in their primes. Coming into this tournament Lionel Scaloni seems to be closer to Sabella than he is to Maradona.
A quiet manager who was doubted at the beginning of his tenure, but has put in the work and the guys seem to like him. At the same time he’s been able to phase out the old guard, and find complimentary pieces to play alongside Messi. Rodrigo de Paul, and Guido Rodríguez will be tasked with providing stability to the midfield. While Dibu Martinez, Cuti Romero, and others provide the same on the back end. All of this though, still leaves Messi with a tall task!
Can Messi Play As A Traditional Number 10 Throughout The Whole Tournament?
Messi has been playing more of a traditional number 10 role at PSG as of late. He’s essentially mimicked that role in Argentina. Our biggest concern has to do with his ability to reprise that role every 3 or 4 days for a month! It’s one of those things that we won’t know until we get to the tournament. Make no mistake about it though, Messi’s physical form is going to be a determining factor for Argentina’s success. It’s not just Messi who has to stay healthy. That’s right we’re looking at you Di Maria! Argentina also hopes guys like Lautaro Martinez are able to find the back of the net in key moments throughout the tournament. Something that players from the previous generations seemed unable to do.
Our Prediction
Argentina is likely going to win the group. Their toughest matchup may very well be against Mexico in the group stage. They’ve historically found a way to get past “El Tri” in most of their meetings though. From there, they may get a rematch against France to avenge their last World Cup loss. This Argentina team could certainly be one to watch out for in the late stages of the tournament!
