With the legendary attacker's career nearing an end, is this the final starring role for his country?
You may have seen it. A video went viral a couple weeks back showing Argentina emerging from the locker room ahead of their opening round Copa America clash with Canada. A team full of superstars, Argentina's starters were seen stationed in the hallway, each doing their own thing, until, suddenly, Lionel Messi appeared. Immediately, every man fell in line. They marched together like wolves, with Messi clearly the alpha of this pack on the way to battle.
It almost looked scripted, something out of a movie, and Messi was the clear main character. Social media commenters compared him to Tommy Shelby and other gang leaders, one that commands respect the moment he enters a room. Others chimed in on his aura. Whatever your thoughts, the video made one thing abundantly clear: this Argentinian team, as good as they are as individuals, is collectively ready to follow this man wherever he leads.
That's the power of Messi and, in recent years, that power has become less a weight and more a rallying cry. For so many years, Argentina seemed afraid of falling short, but this team's mentality is different. Argentina is no longer concerned about letting Messi down. Instead, they're singularly determined to lift the man up.
It's been the defining factor of these last few years, a historic run for this team. World Cup and Copa America winners, Argentina are on the path to another Copa America final. As they prepare for face Canada in Tuesday night's semifinal at MetLife Stadium, it's time to reflect on an Argentina run that, for the first time in recent memory, has NOT been defined by Messi.
The charismatic aura is still there, as is supreme leadership, but the goals haven't been. He's played a major role, but not neccesarily a starring role. Instead, Messi's Argentina teammates have done the heavy lifting that was solely on him to shoulder for so long. And because of that, this feels like a summer in which this team is between eras or, perhaps, transitioning to a new one.
The Messi Era is nearing an end and a new post-Messi run will soon begin. For now, though, it feels as if this Argentina team is more than equipped to lift their talisman at least one more time.
GettyMessi's team becomes a team
For much of the winger's career, it felt as if Argentina's hopes lived and died with Messi. It also felt like no one was more aware of that fact than the man himself. The amount of pressure so often weighed him back down to a place where mere mortals were then able to compete with him. That showed itself often in the biggest of moments, most notably, in the 2016 Copa America final, when he missed a penalty that could have helped his country claim its first trophy of his era.
That weight wasn't just on Messi's shoulders but on those of his teammates. At times, Argentina's other stars seemed to carve out their own roles. Everyone was so worried about Messi, that, at times, it felt like they didn't know what to do themselves.
That all changed over the last few years as Argentina constructed a group that has parts that fit. Messi is the figurehead, of course, but this team is still perhaps the best in the world when it comes to players simply knowing their roles.
Everyone has a part to play and some are more glamorous than others, but each player that puts on a shirt steps onto the field knowing what they need to do. From young stars such as Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez to veteran presences like Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, this team has become… well, a team, and one to be reckoned with.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesA slower Copa America
This summer, as Argentina reached the Copa America semis, you've seen a generational shift start to take hold as Messi begins to slow down.
Hampered by a slight injury, Messi has yet to score a goal in three appearances at this summer's Copa. He has played a part, often turning provider, although he doesn't officially have an assist on record. Di Maria, too, has yet to score.
Messi hasn't quite been dominant, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been effective. Against Canada the first time, he created mujltiple chances and was unlucky not to score. He's still a player that commands attention, but those magic moments aren't coming quite as often as they did just a few years ago.
After missing out on the group stage finale against Peru, Messi was back in the XI for Argentina's penalty kick shootout win over Ecuador in the quarterfinals. Thanks to a rare Messi mishap, though, Argentian will count themselves lucky to have survived that match.
GettyA metaphorical moment
The last time that the Copa America was on U.S. soil, there was nothing Messi could do but watch. He'd missed his penalty in the shootout against Chile, leading to Argentina's demise. It wasn't all on him, but he sure felt that was – and actually briefly retired from Argentina duty after the game.
Argentina's quarterfinal clash with Ecuador last week must have felt like some awful deja vu. Messi, once again, stepped up first and, once again, missed. His panenka attempt was just too high. Once again, Argentina's fate would be left in his teammate's hands.
This time, though, they stepped up. It felt like a true sign of what this team has become: Messi is the unequivocal leader, but this group has his back.
Emiliano Martinez perhaps most of all. The Aston Villa goalkeeper might just be the best shootout specialist in the world. His goalkeeping is fantastic and his mind games are even better. Love him or hate him, Martinez is fantastic in these moments. After the match, Messi hailed Martinez as "the best goalkeeper in the world". He might be right.
Alvarez, Otamendi, Alexis Mac Allister and Gonzalo Montiel – they all stepped up after Messi, and each buried from the spot. Otamendi's finish was decisive, and, after scoring, the defender ripped off his shirt, revealing, among others, a tattoo of Messi.
The Argentinian icon is still the focal point, but this Argentina team is one that is more prepared than ever for the inevitable moment when that's no longer the case.
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Getty ImagesThe others stepping up
Messi was unstoppable during Argentina's 2021 Copa America run. He scored four goals in that tournament, winning the Golden Boot while winning a share of the Best Player award alongside longtime friend and teammate Neymar.
If Argentina does win this thing, one of their star attackers will likely claim both of those awards – but it won't be Messi.
For years, Argentina fans have been waiting for Lautaro Martinez to bring his club form to the national team – it's now safe to say he has. The Inter star has four goals in four games, only two of which were starts. He's the favorite for the Golden Boot and, right now, Argentina's most dangerous goal threat.
It's not just about goalscorers, though. Mac Allister is dominating the midfield on both sides of the ball, leading a unit that has a remarkable amount of talent. Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes have all been the perfect puzzle pieces.
And defensively, the partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero has been near-perfect. There may not be a better duo on the international stage right now, at least if we're talking about form. And then there's Emi Martinez, who is almost unbeatable, especially once he gets his confidence going.
This Argentina squad is deep from top to bottom. Messi now has a group behind him that has the ability to both follow his lead and lift him up in his moments of need.