Argentina don't win because Lionel Messi 'plays alone' claims Juan Roman Riquelme

Messi has had bad luck with Argentina

Former Argentina star Riquelme has said the country’s failure to win major tournaments is because Lionel Messi “plays alone”. It seems like the interpretation of that quote is an indication of the lack of effort put in by his teammates.

Lionel Messi has achieved everything with his club. Barcelona have become a footballing juggernaut over the last decade. Their trophy cabinet includes 4 champions leagues and 8 La Liga titles since 2005.

A lot of their success has to do with the mercurial ability of the little Argentine and his link up play with his teammates. First,it was his combination play with Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. Now it’s the lethal nature of his relationship  with Neymar and Luis Suarez that is handing Barcelona title after title.

But for some reason he has not been able to replicate that success with the national team. Riquelme believes it is because Messi finds it difficult to shoulder the burden of the nation’s hopes all by himself.

FOX Sports asked him what the reason for the national team’s failure was and he said, "Because Messi plays alone. He is the best in the world. We must look after him. He is Argentine, and I have no doubts that if he is in good form, Argentina will be very close to winning this Copa America.”

The 28-year-old will have another chance to win a tournament with Argentina when they take part in the special edition of the Copa America this summer. The tournament is celebrating it’s 100th edition in a unique way and it will be taking place in the US.

But he will not be able to take part in the Olympics this year after Barcelona and the national team decided he will only participate in one of the two tournaments taking place this summer. 

Riquelme like many before him, believes Messi is a once in a lifetime type of player. “There is nobody like Messi, not here, or anywhere. I am Argentine and I had the good fortune to play with him. He is a marvel. A player who has won so much, who keeps competing every year to win titles, never settles for what he has. People should enjoy him”, he said.

Riquelme also said that Argentina have a very good chance to win this year’s competition after suffering heartbreak in the final last year against Chile. “I am confident about this Copa America. Argentina will be closer. They have good players, and Messi is in good form. If Messi does not get injured, we will win the Copa America.”