Almost exactly eight years ago, standing somberly at MetLife Stadium after Argentina’s heart-wrenching loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final, Lionel Messi made an announcement that stunned the football world. The legendary forward declared, “For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can.”
At that time, Messi’s frustration was palpable. At 29, he had firmly established himself as the heart and soul of Argentina’s national squad, yet glory remained elusive. The loss marked the third consecutive summer Argentina fell at the final hurdle – a trend that began with a defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and continued with another loss to Chile in the 2015 Copa America.
However, this story took a pivotal turn just two months later. In August 2016, Messi reversed his retirement decision, and the journey towards reclaiming national pride began anew. His perseverance bore fruit in spectacular fashion. Messi eventually broke his trophy drought by securing the 2021 Copa America, delivering a long-awaited title to Argentina. Not stopping there, he captained his team to clinch the 2022 World Cup, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greats.
The New Generation
Fast forward to 2024, and Messi, now a venerable figure in global football, remains a crucial part of Argentina’s dynamic lineup. Remarkably, he is one of only three players on the current roster who also featured in the 2016 tournament. The Argentine squad today boasts a blend of seasoned talents and promising newcomers like 26-year-old center back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old sensation Alejandro Garnacho.
The recent match against Canada highlighted both the strengths and the areas needing improvement within this evolving team. Although Argentina managed an impressive 19 shots, they underperformed with their 3.02 expected goals tally. Defensively, they allowed Canada to take 10 shots on goal, pinpointing a key area for refinement.
Key Areas for Improvement
Head coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized this in his post-match analysis, hinting at the necessity of tightening the team's defensive resilience. “We have a very particular strategy and game plan and the opponent poses difficulties,” Scaloni commented. “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, but the opponent will set the tone of its attack and of course, we will be cautious about that and it's valid to do so.”
It’s evident that the defensive partnership of Romero and Lisandro Martinez has cemented itself as Scaloni’s preferred choice at the back. This stability is crucial as the team faces various challenging opponents moving forward.
Star Performances and Tactical Play
In the same fixture, young forward Julian Alvarez, who started alongside Messi, showcased his burgeoning talent by opening the scoring. Lautaro Martinez added a second goal, benefiting from a well-crafted assist by Alexis Mac Allister. Not to be overshadowed, Messi himself evidenced his undiminished prowess with a sublime assist for Lautaro’s goal. These performances underline Argentina’s cohesive and multifaceted attacking capabilities.
Scaloni's approach remains rooted in a balance between respecting past triumphs and focusing on the present challenge. “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. Each match is a different history and we have to face it as it comes. Previous titles don’t change that,” he reflected, emphasizing the importance of current performance over historical laurels.
Furthermore, Scaloni’s respect for Messi’s contribution transcends tactics and statistics. “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,” stated Scaloni, echoing a sentiment shared by fans and players alike.
As Argentina moves through the international football calendar, the blend of Messi’s enduring genius and the vigor of the newer recruits like Alvarez and Garnacho paints a promising picture. Scaloni’s reflective yet forward-facing philosophy provides a sturdy framework for achieving continued success on the world stage.