Almost exactly eight years ago, Lionel Messi stood at MetLife Stadium, visibly disheartened, moments after Argentina's national team lost the 2016 Copa America final on penalties to Chile. His announcement that followed stunned the world: "For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can.” This came from a player who, at 29, had firmly established himself as the undisputed leader of the squad, carrying his country's hopes on his shoulders through consecutive summers of heartbreak—the 2014 World Cup defeat to Germany and two consecutive Copa America losses to Chile.
Yet, by August 2016, Messi had reversed his decision to retire from international football, setting the stage for a remarkable turnaround that saw him end his trophy drought. He would go on to secure the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, bringing joy to fans who had long waited for such moments of triumph.
Fast forward to today, Messi remains an integral part of the national setup, one of only three players from the 2016 squad to feature in the 2024 roster. The current team is a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, boasting talents like 26-year-old center-back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho.
Strategic Adjustments and Team Dynamics
In their recent match against Canada, Argentina managed 19 shots but underperformed on their 3.02 expected goals tally. Canada, on the other hand, took 10 shots on Argentina's goal, raising questions about defensive solidity.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted areas for improvement, particularly the need to limit their opponent’s attacking opportunities. "We have a very particular strategy and game plan and the opponent poses difficulties. What we do is try to adjust, try to avoid damage to our team and we will try to find the spaces," Scaloni explained. His focus is clearly on adapting and fine-tuning the team's approach in real-time, emphasizing the importance of living in the present. "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."
The Center-Back Pairing and Offensive Firepower
Romero and Lisandro Martinez have solidified their positions as Scaloni’s preferred center-back pairing, providing a strong foundation at the back. In the match against Canada, Julian Alvarez, starting alongside Messi, opened the scoring. Lautaro Martinez, assisted by Alexis Mac Allister, added a second goal, demonstrating the attacking prowess of this Argentinian squad.
Messi's continued elite-level capabilities were on full display as he provided an assist on Lautaro Martinez’s goal, underlining his enduring value to the team. Scaloni emphasized the importance of Messi's presence: “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.”
Looking Forward
As Argentina prepares for upcoming challenges, the blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent seems to be a winning formula. Scaloni's strategic adjustments and the team's ability to focus on the present rather than resting on past laurels could prove crucial. The likes of Garnacho and Romero will only grow more influential under the mentorship of seasoned players like Messi.
With Messi at the helm, Argentina continues to chase glory with the same passion and determination that has defined their recent successes. And as the team evolves, so too does their story, one match at a time, constantly reshaping their destiny while honoring the journey that brought them here.