Almost exactly eight years ago, Lionel Messi stood on the pitch at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, grappling with a moment of profound disappointment. His announcement following Argentina’s loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final via penalties was a shock: “For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can,” he said. At just 29, having already firmly established himself as the leader of the national squad, Messi’s words reverberated around the world of sports.
That loss was the culmination of three consecutive summers of heartbreak for Argentina. They had previously fallen at the final hurdle in the 2014 World Cup against Germany and in the 2015 Copa America, also to Chile.
However, in a turn that would revive the hopes of millions of fans, Messi reversed his retirement decision by August 2016, and his resilience paid off in spectacular fashion. Messi finally ended his national trophy drought by leading Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America, and most notably, the 2022 World Cup. These triumphs not only cemented his legacy but also redefined what the Argentine national team could achieve under his leadership.
At the cusp of 2024, Messi remains a pivotal figure, one of only three players from the 2016 roster still with the team. Beside him, Argentina now features burgeoning talents such as 26-year-old center back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho, symbolizing a blend of experience and youthful exuberance.
In a recent match against Canada, Argentina, though dominant, showed areas that need polishing. They managed 19 shots but underperformed with respect to their 3.02 expected goals tally, while allowing Canada to take 10 shots on their goal. Coach Lionel Scaloni identified limiting their opponent’s attacks as a key area for improvement.
“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,” Scaloni remarked, encapsulating the team's forward-focused mindset.
Scaloni has diligently worked to solidify Argentina’s defensive lineup, with Romero and Lisandro Martinez emerging as his preferred center-back pairing. This tactical stability was evident in the match against Canada.
The offensive synergy was also on display when Julian Alvarez, playing alongside Messi, opened the scoring. Lautaro Martinez added a second, capitalizing on an assist from Alexis Mac Allister. Messi, demonstrating his enduring elite-level capabilities, assisted on Lautaro’s goal, further underscoring his indispensable role in the squad.
Scaloni, reflecting the value of Messi’s presence, stated, “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.”
This blend of seasoned leadership and fresh talent positions Argentina favorably for future challenges. The team’s commitment to continuous improvement and adaptability to each opponent's strategy remains evident. Scaloni emphasized, “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.”
As Argentina forges ahead, the echoes of past victories and defeats form a backdrop to their present endeavors, guided by a blend of experienced stalwarts and rising stars. This balance, coupled with Scaloni’s strategic foresight, positions Argentina to gracefully handle the complexities of international football while remaining steadfastly focused on the moment.