Almost exactly eight years ago, Lionel Messi stood at MetLife Stadium moments after his team lost the 2016 Copa America final on penalties to Chile and made a stunning announcement. At just 29, he had already established himself as the leader of Argentina’s national squad. However, the weight of consecutive defeats—losing the 2014 World Cup to Germany and the 2015 Copa America to Chile—culminated in Messi declaring, “For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can.”
Just two months later, Messi reversed his retirement decision. What followed was a journey that would see him break his trophy drought by securing the long-awaited 2021 Copa America title, and later, the crowning glory of winning the 2022 World Cup. Fast forward to 2024, and Messi remains an integral part of the Argentine squad, one of only three players from the 2016 roster still representing Argentina.
The team around Messi has evolved, incorporating fresh talent such as 26-year-old center-back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old prodigy Alejandro Garnacho. These new additions reflect a strategic renewal under the guidance of coach Lionel Scaloni.
Solid Foundations and Emerging Talents
In their recent match against Canada, Argentina’s performance was characterized by resilience and some areas for concern. Despite managing 19 shots, they underperformed on their 3.02 expected goals tally. However, the defense allowed Canada to take 10 shots, indicating a need for improvement in limiting the opponent’s attack—a point Scaloni has openly acknowledged.
Scaloni highlighted, “We have a very particular strategy and game plan and the opponent poses difficulties. What we do is try to adjust, try to avoid damage to our team and we will try to find the spaces, given the opponent, but the opponent will set the tone of its attack and of course, we will be cautious about that and it's valid to do so.”
Defensively, Romero and Lisandro Martinez have bolstered their roles, forming Scaloni’s preferred pairing at center-back. Scaloni's commitment to this newfound defensive stability appears to be a cornerstone of his tactical approach.
The Messi Effect Continues
Offensively, Argentina showcased their firepower with Julian Alvarez opening the scoring against Canada, and Lautaro Martinez adding a second goal, assisted by Alexis Mac Allister. Messi’s contribution remained pivotal, as he demonstrated his continued elite-level capabilities with an assist on Martinez’s goal. Messi may have once considered stepping away from the national team, but his influence remains profound, both on and off the pitch.
Reflecting on the significance of Messi’s presence, Scaloni expressed, “I think that it’s very important to have him here. Everyone’s asking about the future, the past but this is the lovely present … The present is very important. What's in the past is in the past and he is enjoying his birthday. We want him to have a good time.”
Eyes on the Future
As Argentina forges ahead, Scaloni’s philosophy is grounded in the present moment, without dwelling on past achievements. “The cups that Chile won, the cups that we won … that is in the past. We are living in the present and this team knows that very well. Each match is a different history and we have to face it as it comes. Previous titles don’t change that,” he emphasized.
This pragmatic approach underscores the essence of Scaloni's leadership—adapting to challenges as they arise, while fostering a culture that honors both seasoned veterans and emerging talents. With a blend of experience and youth, Argentina looks to build on its recent successes and maintain its status as a formidable force on the global stage.