Is Messi following in the footsteps of Pele and Maradona or of Cruyff, Zico and Eusebio?
“Failures are the pillars to success”, we have heard, but success with the national team is becoming a distinct possibility for Lionel Messi. Losing two major finals within a span of a year really did not help the cause. Though, it’s a very different story with his Spanish club Barcelona FC, where he inspired his team to a treble this season. But the maestro never won the silverware for his nation in a major tournament, the last being the Olympics triumph, back in 2008.
There were criticism’s that Messi does not deliver the goods for his nation, that he had always played better for his club. But he silenced the critics last year. He played brilliantly throughout the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He scored goals and also assisted a few.
They were defeated only in the final by a goal from Mario Gotze. Messi did not play as per his capabilities in the final, yet it was heartbreak. Winning the Golden Ball Award did not cheer him up, he walked pass the World Cup Trophy, which he wanted to lift up badly. The dejected face of Messi was clearly visible.
A year later, he got another chance to reward his nation with a trophy in the Copa America 2015, Chile. Scoring just one goal in the tournament, he played a pivotal character in the mid-field with the bulk share of assists. The 6-1 rout of Paraguay was mainly due to the brilliance of this man. He did not score in the match but assisted three goals.
The final was again disappointing; Messi was thoroughly checked by the Chilean defense. He was never given free space to play his regular game. Chile, who were playing on home turf always had the advantage and were eager to end their 99-year trophy drought.
They eventually won it on penalties after 120 minutes could not separate the two teams. There was a similar picture after the Copa America Final compared to the FIFA World Cup Final the previous year, Argentina on the losing end and Messi walking past the silverware with his head down.
The wait for a title
Messi has 103 international caps under his name, scoring 46 goals without any trophies. In contrast to this, when he played for the dark blue and red outfit of the Catalan giants, he has won 7 La Liga Titles, 4 UEFA Champions League Titles, 2 UEFA Super Cup Triumphs and also won the FIFA Club World Cup twice. So, the jinx with the sky blue-white jersey has been a regular phenomenon.
There has often been a debate about the greatest ever. He has been compared to Pele and Maradona. Some even stated he is the greatest to have ever played the game. Yet, the main issue was that he was never successful with his national side.
In contrast, Pele won 3 World Cup’s and Maradona’s one-man show in 1986 brought Argentina national glory. Messi can never be on an equal footing with Pele and Maradona unless he wins a World Cup has been the verdict of majority people around the globe.
Messi will have a final shot at the World Cup in 2018 and Copa America in 2019. So, it will be interesting to see if he manages to overcome his obstacle and become the greatest ever, or he becomes one of the greats without a major trophy alongside Johan Cryuff, Socrates, and Eusebio.