Lionel Messi Must Perform in Copa America Final After Driving Argentina to Brink
HOUSTON, Texas — Lionel Messi shifted his eyes to his right and saw Gonzalo Higuain talking to journalists further down the long mixed-zone line at the NRG Stadium. If he timed it right, he could leave the Argentinian television reporters he was speaking to, evade the ones speaking to Higuain and get onto the team coach.
But the Napoli striker, whom he had set up for the final goal in Argentina’s 4-0 crushing of the United States, left, and Messi was the last Argentina player to make his way out. So he rushed past the written-press journalists, stopping only to sign one American reporter’s programme.
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"Asking for autographs or personal photos will result in the loss of your credential," read warning signs taped to the barrier of the mixed zone that divides players from journalists, but this guy did not care. Maybe it was the end of his tournament anyway, or perhaps he just had to capitalise on the rare, precious moment of Messi being in his city.
He wasn’t collared for it, although Messi later was, speaking once more to reporters at the end of the mixed zone before he could leave. Someone he knew called out to him, and that was it, he was sucked in.
Messi is a shy character, but there was plenty to talk about on a night in which he inspired Argentina as they reached another major final—their third in three years.
His free-kick—a stupendous, rasping effort that seemed to defy gravity as it lashed its way into Brad Guzan’s top-left corner, the side of the goal he was protecting—was Argentina’s second goal of the night and sent them well on their way to reaching the Copa America Centenario final.
It was also the 55th of his international career, a number that makes him Argentina’s all-time top scorer, after he equalled Gabriel Batistuta’s record with his goal against Venezuela in the quarter-final.
Back in the mixed zone, asked about taking over from Batigol, Messi replied: “I am happy. I have to thank the team-mates with whom I've played. The record is thanks to them.”
"Lionel Messi: The perfect team player 🙌 pic.twitter.com/P6jGrGSHRr
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 22, 2016"
The Barcelona No. 10 was, as he often is in public, being extremely modest. Messi had not only scored that sumptuous free-kick, but he also created the first goal for Ezequiel Lavezzi with a gorgeous lobbed pass which left Guzan and his defence confounded. He also set up Higuain for his second goal to round off the rout.
“I'm happy for what we've achieved,” he continued. “From the first day we did things in a spectacular way, and we deserve to be here, for how we've been working. I hope that [the final] goes well.”
But the reality of the situation is that it’s up to Messi whether the final goes well.
Ahead of the semi-final on Tuesday, United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said there were ways to limit the Ballon d’Or holder.
"It's now Lionel Messi's time," he explained. "When I had the opportunity to play many games against Maradona, it was Maradona's time. We all admire these types of players, but there are also ways to stop them. There are ways to play against these wonderful players."
The problem was, the U.S. couldn’t work out what they were. Kyle Beckerman thought he’d figured it out when he took down Messi over 25 yards out instead of letting him continue his mazy run at goal.
A yellow card seemed worth it as he put Messi on the deck. But a few seconds later, he was ruing the decision as the ball flew past Guzan and the forward wheeled away triumphantly.
Asked which team he would prefer in the final, Messi said that it was not important. “Whoever the opponent is, the truth is that it will be a difficult, equal and complicated game,” he said. “The good thing is that we have an opportunity to win a title for Argentina.”
The 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 Copa America finals went begging, with Messi’s side losing to Germany and Chile respectively, and La Roja will be the opposition once more on Sunday in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
In both previous finals, Messi was not at his best. It shouldn't be a pressure thing, because he has shone in major finals for Barcelona.
While there is probably more pressure playing for Argentina, it hasn't disrupted his game on other occasions. If he can perform at his best on Sunday, Messi can end his nation's 23-year major trophy drought.
The last time they won anything of real note was in 1993, when they lifted the Copa America by beating Mexico, with Batistuta notching both goals in their 2-1 win.
Against Germany, Messi created some openings, but his team-mates—most notably Higuain—spurned them. The Barca star also had an effort that flew past the post in the Maracana, one of few opportunities in a gritty game.
Despite their eventual defeat, Messi was given the player of the tournament award, which many complained about. However, while James Rodriguez, who had an excellent World Cup campaign with Colombia, may have deserved it, the Argentinian had a good tournament by his standards, and a sublime one by anybody else's.
A year later, at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Messi struggled to pull Argentina towards victory against Copa America hosts Chile.
With Chile determined to win their first Copa America title, Messi was shackled by an aggressive and persistent La Roja. At some points, there were up to five men hounding him. One crunching Gary Medel challenge that landed on the 28-year-old's midriff lingers in the memory.
He failed to have a single shot in 90 minutes, despite arriving at the final having had more efforts at goal than any other player.
Messi still created a good chance, releasing Lavezzi in the box, but the move came to nothing. He scored in the penalty shootout, but Higuain failed, as did Ever Banega, and Chile won.
Another chance has come along, not by luck, but by hard work. Messi has been sensational at this tournament after making his way back from injury.
In a pre-tournament friendly against Honduras, he took a knee to the back and was forced to sit out his country’s first game—a repeat of last year’s final—and this time Argentina won 2-1.
He returned against Panama as a substitute, scoring a brilliant 19-minute hat-trick and creating a goal for Sergio Aguero, driving Argentina from 1-0 up to 5-0 winners.
That was followed by an entertaining 45 minutes from the bench against Bolivia, in which he wowed the crowd with skills, including a nutmeg on the opposition goalkeeper, although he did not find the net himself.
He started his first game against Venezuela, a match in which he laid on two goals as well as scoring one, just as he did against the U.S. in the semi-final.
On Sunday, Chile will have to make their main job trying to stop Messi from damaging them. He is the biggest threat La Albiceleste have.
If they can muzzle Messi, the No. 10 will hope that the other attacking stars like Aguero, Higuain and Angel Di Maria, who was on the substitutes' bench after injury on Tuesday night, will be able to capitalise on the space left behind.
That did not happen in Rio de Janeiro or Santiago, but Gerardo Martino’s Argentina seem more prepared this year, more streetwise.
Even though Lavezzi and Augusto Fernandez were injured against the U.S., Argentina are still expected to win in New Jersey. If they do, there is little doubt over the identity of the man who will inspire that triumph.
Quotes taken firsthand unless otherwise stated.
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