Almost exactly eight years ago, Lionel Messi stood on the field of MetLife Stadium, grappling with a moment of immense disappointment. After Argentina's heartbreaking loss to Chile on penalties in the 2016 Copa America final, Messi made an unexpected announcement: "For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can." At 29, Messi had already established himself as the cornerstone of Argentina’s national squad, but frustration after the third consecutive summer of near misses led him to consider stepping away. Argentina had previously lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and again to Chile in the 2015 Copa America final.
However, by August 2016, Messi reversed his retirement decision, determined to chase glory for his beloved Argentina. Fast forward to 2021, Messi finally broke his trophy drought with a magnificent victory in the Copa America, followed by a historic win at the 2022 World Cup. These triumphs were more than personal achievements; they were collective exorcisms of the ghosts that haunted Argentina through years of close but not close enough.
As Argentina prepares for future campaigns, Messi remains one of only three players who were part of the 2016 roster still in the squad for 2024. La Albiceleste now features a blend of seasoned talents and promising youngsters, including 26-year-old center-back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old forward Alejandro Garnacho. The new generation underlines Argentina’s continuous evolution while maintaining the core of experience epitomized by Messi.
Analyzing Recent Performances
In their recent encounter against Canada, Argentina managed 19 shots, but their execution fell short of the 3.02 expected goals tally, highlighting areas that need sharpening. Argentina's defense allowed Canada to take 10 shots, a note of concern for Lionel Scaloni, the national team's tactically astute manager. “We have a very particular strategy and game plan, and the opponent poses difficulties," Scaloni remarked. "What we do is try to adjust, try to avoid damage to our team and we will try to find the spaces, given the opponent."
Despite some defensive lapses, Scaloni has found a reliable center-back pairing in Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez. These two have solidified their positions, providing a strong backbone to the team's line-up.
Scaloni's Vision for the Future
Under Scaloni’s stewardship, Argentina approaches each game with a clear-eyed vision and a sense of urgency. "The cups that Chile won, the cups that we won … that is in the past. We are living in the present and this team knows that very well," Scaloni emphasized. "Each match is a different history and we have to face it as it comes. Previous titles don’t change that."
This pragmatic approach was evident in the clash against Canada, where forward Julian Alvarez, starting alongside Messi, opened the scoring, showcasing youthful energy and promise. Lautaro Martinez added a second goal, skillfully assisted by Alexis Mac Allister. Messi, demonstrating his undiminished prowess, provided the assist for Lautaro Martinez’s goal, underlining his continued influence on the pitch.
For Messi, who has seen both the agony of defeat and the ecstasy of victory with Argentina, the present moment seems particularly sweet. Scaloni himself echoed this sentiment: "I think that it’s very important to have him here. Everyone’s asking about the future, the past but this is the lovely present … The present is very important. What's in the past is in the past and he is enjoying his birthday. We want him to have a good time."
Eight years after that moment of despair at MetLife Stadium, Messi stands as a testament to resilience, having finally achieved the international success that once seemed to elude him. As Argentina moves forward, blending youth with experience, the team remains focused on writing new chapters in its storied history.