Eight years ago, at the MetLife Stadium, Lionel Messi made an announcement that stunned the football world. Shortly after Argentina's heart-wrenching loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final, a visibly emotional Messi declared, “For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can.” At only 29, Messi was not just a star but also the undisputed leader of Argentina’s national squad. His decision to retire from international football came after consecutive disappointments: losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and the 2015 Copa America final to Chile.
However, the retirement was short-lived. By August 2016, Messi had reversed his decision, much to the relief and joy of his fans and teammates. This reversal set the stage for one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent football history. Messi eventually broke his international trophy drought by leading Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup.
New Challenges and Opportunities
As Argentina prepares for future competitions, Messi remains one of only three players from the 2016 roster still active on the squad. Alongside him, 26-year-old center back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho are set to be crucial figures in the team's endeavors.
In a recent match against Canada, Argentina managed to secure a victory but not without challenges. The team recorded 19 shots but fell short of their 3.02 expected goals tally. Defensively, they allowed Canada to take 10 shots on their goal, a statistic that head coach Lionel Scaloni found concerning. “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.
The Key to Defensive Solidity
Scaloni has been explicit about the areas needing improvement, particularly the defensive volatility. Center-backs Romero and Lisandro Martinez have solidified their partnership, becoming Scaloni’s preferred pairing. Yet, facing Canada exposed some gaps that need addressing.
Scaloni shared some insights into his team's tactical approach: “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, 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.”
Offensive Prowess on Display
Despite these defensive challenges, Argentina's offensive capabilities shone through. Julian Alvarez, starting alongside Messi, opened the scoring against Canada. Lautaro Martinez added a second goal with assistance from Alexis Mac Allister, showcasing the lethal effectiveness of Argentina's attacking lineup. In a further display of his timeless quality, Messi provided an assist on Lautaro Martinez’s goal, proving yet again his capability to perform at the highest level.
Scaloni appears fully aware of the need to balance past achievements with present challenges. “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,” Scaloni noted.
As the team looks ahead to upcoming tournaments, the blend of seasoned veterans like Messi and emerging talents like Garnacho gives fans much to be optimistic about. The journey from the heartbreak of MetLife in 2016 to lifting the World Cup in 2022 is a testament to the resilient spirit and exceptional talent that define Argentina’s national squad. Under Scaloni’s guidance, they remain a formidable force in international football.