Almost exactly eight years ago, at MetLife Stadium, Lionel Messi stood shell-shocked after Argentina’s painful defeat to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final. The agony was palpable, and Messi, at just 29, made an announcement that stunned the world: “For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can.” It was an emotional moment, capping off a string of heartbreaks for Argentina, who had also faltered in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany and the 2015 Copa America, once again, to Chile.
Yet, Messi's story with Argentina was far from over. By August 2016, he had reversed his decision, returning to the national fold with a renewed sense of purpose. His perseverance paid off, culminating in a triumphant 2021 Copa America victory and a crowning achievement at the 2022 World Cup, finally ending his trophy drought with the national team.
Fast forward to 2024, and Messi remains an indispensable part of the squad. Remarkably, he is one of only three players from the 2016 team still on the roster, a testament to his enduring skill and influence on the pitch. The current squad is a blend of seasoned veterans and youthful talent, featuring the likes of 26-year-old center back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old rising star Alejandro Garnacho.
The recent match against Canada highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement for Argentina. Despite managing 19 shots, the team underperformed against their 3.02 expected goals tally. On the defensive end, they allowed Canada to take 10 shots on their goal, prompting head coach Lionel Scaloni to emphasize the need for better defensive solidity.
“We have a very particular strategy and game plan and the opponent poses difficulties,” Scaloni explained. “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.”
Building on this philosophy, Scaloni has solidified a trustworthy center-back pairing in Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez. This partnership proved effective against Canada, offering a glimpse of stability in Argentina's back-line. Up front, the attacking prowess of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez was on full display. Alvarez opened the scoring, with Lautaro adding a second goal, assisted by Alexis Mac Allister. Messi, ever the architect, demonstrated his continued elite-level capabilities with a sublime assist on Lautaro’s goal.
This balance of experience and fresh talent has breathed new life into the team. Scaloni is acutely aware of the importance of living in the present and taking each game as it comes. “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 asserted.
Beyond the tactics and plans, the emotional presence of Messi remains a cornerstone. Scaloni treasures Messi's influence not just as a player, but as an icon whose legacy adds depth to every match. “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 reflected.
As Argentina looks ahead, the blend of Messi’s experience and the vigor of new talents like Garnacho positions the team to continue its quest for silverware. The road is riddled with challenges, but with Messi leading the charge, the hopes and dreams of Argentina’s fans remain as vibrant as ever.