Savior Messi: Why the superstar has never been more important for Argentina

The Fourth Starthe fourth star that the football-crazy country so longs for. One line of text says: “With Lionel we won the third title. We want to be world champions again. For Leo’s last World Cup.”

The hymn of praise

This doesn’t just sound like an homage Lionel Messiit is actually a musical declaration of love to the Máximo Líder of this Argentine national team.

After 2-1 in the semi-final against England the world champion’s players sang La Cuarta Estrella in the dressing room. And in the middle of it all, Messi, who bellowed loudly as he sang his own praises.

Honor where honor is due.

The problem solver

It’s hard to find new superlatives for Lionel Messi. This man is basically a single superlativesince he appeared on the pitch as a slight lad in Barcelona more than two decades ago.

At 39, he may no longer be completely fresh and, as is appropriate for his age, he always allows himself creative breaks – but Lionel Messi has probably never been more important for Argentina than at this World Cup.

The Savior

Let’s just take this Semi-final on Wednesday against England: The defending champions were down 0-1 six minutes before the final whistle, and not for the first time in the knockout phase there was real fire.

But whenever he is needed and is supposed to make the impossible possible, Lionel Messi is there. Assist to make it 1-1, perfect cross to make it 2-1 – Olé, Olé.

There Top Scorer

It is one big responsibility that rests on these little shoulders. The Argentine national team somehow agreed that Lionel Messi should take care of this World Cup.

And so far the strategy is working completely, the superstar has eight goals and four assists. “It’s unbelievable what we’ve achieved. I’m proud and happy to make all Argentines happy,” said the 39-year-old savior after reaching the final, in which European champions Spain await in New Jersey on Sunday (9 p.m.).

An exciting and much-discussed question of this World Cup was: Which veteran star would have a better and more dignified farewell to the World Cup stage? Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?

The engine

The answer couldn’t have been clearer. Ronaldo acted like a brake on Portugal, Messi On the other hand, the engine is from Argentina – a reliable engine that consciously switches to idle again and again. According to FIFA statistics, the 39-year-old only covers 7.9 kilometers per match at this World Cup, and even some goalkeepers are on their feet more.

But that doesn’t really matter in the Argentinian game, nor does the fact that Lionel Messi just walks and sneaks around the pitch most of the time. “He does this very consciously, he scans the pitch and the opponent,” explains Pep GuardiolaMessi’s former mentor and coach at Barça.

The leader

In Argentina, the exceptional talent enjoys all the freedom in his old age. The team sacrifices itself for them football life insurance.

His teammates are running their hearts out, getting in between and doing the dirty work. Nobody is above it, but there are enough other greats in the Argentine team who take on the leadership role at their clubs. In the national team, the hierarchy is of course irrefutable.

And what about the history of Argentine football?

The legend

Ever since his first flashes of footballing genius as a teenager, Lionel Messi has always had to compare himself Diego Armando Maradona withstand this super-figure of football.

For a long time, Lionel Messi’s national team jersey looked like a lead vestthe superstar announced his resignation as team captain more than once – only to return again and again to fulfill his dream of a World Cup title.

It now seems that Lionel Messi has been able to shake off the shadow that has always followed him. Maybe it’s really just a coincidence, but it’s noticeable that Lionel Messi is playing his best World Cup tournaments since Diego Maradona is no longer alive (2020).

On Sunday, Lionel Messi can further expand his legendary status. La Cuarta Estrella beckons, “I want the fourth star,” says the football anthem. “Enjoy it!” demands Lionel Messi.