Lionel Messi Critics Miss the Mark After Argentina Defeat

Searching for a reason behind Argentina's substandard performance in letting slip the Copa America title, captain Lionel Messi is an easy and visible target. But those critics who have focused on the Barcelona man's woes are not seeing the real problems afflicting a national team whose displays still do not match the talent at its disposal.

It had not been at all clear during the first six magical months of 2015. But in the chilly, hostile atmosphere of Santiago's Estadio Nacional, we received confirmation: Lionel Messi is human just like everyone else.

Tasked once more with dragging Argentina to victory, the captain could not produce the goods. Chile controlled Messi's movements as well as any team in the world over the last four or five years and, after a 0-0 draw, went on to take their first title on penalties to the delight of the local fans. 

The comparison with the storming performance against Paraguay that put the Albiceleste in the final could not be more stark. As the graphic below demonstrates, Messi was almost a different player on Saturday. Ninety-one per cent of his passes found their target in the last four, but just over half of them against Chile.

Most damning of all, La Pulga enjoyed a paltry two touches in the opposition area. Muted barely describes his game, especially in the second half, when, the Roja, led by Jean Beausejour, all but marked him out of the game.

All but. The one occasion Messi did wriggle free was very nearly enough to win Argentina the competition. For once finding space near the centre circle, a rapid solo run left two markers in his dust, and a well-weighted ball found Ezequiel Lavezzi with Gonzalo Higuain nearing the danger zone. Higuain veered wide, however, and with that shot went the side's last real chance to win the game without the lottery of penalties.

The scene was familiar throughout this Copa America. Messi's individual talent laid on chances on a plate for his team-mates, who failed to take advantage. But Argentina's biggest problem was not the Barcelona man. Nor was it his wasteful companions. The Albiceleste, for the second time in less than a year, are runners-up at a major tournament because of their failings as a unit.

The lessons that should have been learned post-World Cup were masked by the euphoria and then pain of coming so close to taking down Germany. That loss more than anything showed the Albiceleste's limitations against a well-drilled unit. The fact is Argentina play as a collection of individuals, and it was that same flaw that cost them the Copa America.

Of course, the talents of Messi, Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and the rest of the stars can carry the nation a long way. But the lack of coherence and strategy was laid bare like never before against Chile. When Argentina attacked, Javier Pastore almost stood on Messi's toes when the Paris Saint-Germain man needed to open up space among the suffocating Chile.

Luis Hidalgo/Associated Press

Angel Di Maria and his replacement, Ezequiel Lavezzi, were marginal figures out wide. Aguero cut a forlorn figure alone in the final third. Occasionally, the offence was bolstered by the overlaps of Pablo Zabaleta but not enough. On the other flank, Marcos Rojo offered nothing beyond the halfway line.

Playing without the ball, the difference was also stark. Chile, drilled hard by coach Jorge Sampaoli and with a core of players who have played together for years for both club and country, push and pressure as one. Argentina defended bravely, but again they did so like a group of players unfamiliar with each other.

In this context, just one outlet of play can break down the toughest teams. Messi. His individual spark and ability to beat the first marker was key to Argentina's entire attacking plan. At times, it seemed the Albiceleste simply stopped and watched to see if the star could wriggle free. Unfortunately, he was on a short leash, and his frustration was transmitted to a side becoming more and more lacklustre with the passing of every minute.

However unjust it may seem, Messi will always carry the burden of that comparison to Diego Maradona. There is still time for him to win a World Cup and erase that supposed asterisk next to his name. But doing so depends on much more than merely his individual talents.

Argentina have three years until the tournament in Russia kicks off; they would be well advised to use that period to learn how to finally mould their golden generation into a golden team and break the cycle of Messi-dependency.