Copa America 2011 Schedule: Argentina Loses to Uruguay, Lionel Messi to Blame?
By on June 30, 2011
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Lionel Messi, largely considered to be the greatest soccer player in the world, has declared Argentina will win the 2014 World Cup.
The only problem is, Argentina can't even win Copa America at this point.
Argentina fell in penalty kicks to Uruguay in the Copa America quarterfinals on Saturday, losing 5-4 in the shootout following a 1-1 tie.
Messi was a big part of Argentina's sole goal in regulation on Saturday, swinging a cross that floated just enough for Gonzalo Higuain to connect and send it to the back of the net.
But the reality is, none of this matters if you can't win.
Messi has in part set himself up for backlash after his World Cup prediction, but a lot of the criticism directed toward him is unfair.
When you're the No. 1 player in the world, you aren't only praised upon your accomplishments, you're bashed just as heartily when you lose.
Argentina needs someone to blame, so Messi is the easy scapegoat.
But soccer is actually a team sport, too. Messi's play at Copa America hasn't been as spectacular as it's been with the national team, but that's also because he hasn't received as much help.
In a team sport, it goes both ways. When someone like Messi single-handedly wins a game, he defies the odds of this team game, and makes people believe a single individual can go up against 11 players at a time.
But that's not how it works. He needs players in the right spots, the right swing passes, some kind of opportunity to make a impact.
He made a huge impact on Saturday's game, not only assisting a goal but banging home his penalty kick during the shootout.
But it wasn't enough.
Because the team wasn't good enough, not just Messi.
Now, Messi does deserve some of the blame, because he's part of the team, but throwing everything on his shoulders is unfair for any player, even the best in the world.
Uruguay will face Peru in the semifinals on Tuesday.
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