Almost exactly eight years ago, the soccer world was stunned when Lionel Messi, standing at MetLife Stadium moments after Argentina's loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final, announced his retirement from international football. At 29, Messi had firmly established himself as the cornerstone of Argentina’s national team. The heartbreaking moment was part of a series of near-misses for Argentina, following their losses in the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and the 2015 Copa America final, again to Chile.
“For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can,” Messi said at the time, a declaration that left fans and pundits alike grappling with the announcement.
However, the soccer world knows a twist when it sees one, and Messi reversed his decision by August of 2016. The return was certainly momentous, culminating in lifting the long-awaited trophies at the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, effectively breaking his international trophy drought.
Fast forward to 2024, Messi remains a critical figure in Argentina’s roster, one of only three players who participated in the 2016 Copa America to make the current squad. His presence and expertise continue to be assets for a team now featuring young talents like 26-year-old center-back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old prodigy Alejandro Garnacho.
Filtering the Chaff
Argentina's preparation for upcoming tournaments highlighted areas needing improvement, specifically on the defensive end as indicated by their recent match against Canada. Despite managing 19 shots, Argentina underperformed on their 3.02 expected goals tally. On the other side of the pitch, Canada was allowed to take 10 shots, a statistic that head coach Lionel Scaloni is keen to tighten.
Scaloni pointed out key areas for improvement, emphasizing the importance of limiting opponents' attacks. "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,” Scaloni stated.
Tactical Nuances
Under Scaloni’s stewardship, Romero and Lisandro Martinez have solidified their places as the preferred center-back pairing. Their synergy, born out of rigorous training and match experience, is seen as a key component in Argentina’s defensive strategies. Up front, Julian Alvarez, who started alongside Messi against Canada, opened the scoring, demonstrating his evolving chemistry with the Argentine maestro. Lautaro Martinez added another goal, assisted by Alexis Mac Allister, showcasing the depth of talent in the attacking department.
Messi, ever the playmaker, contributed an assist on Martinez’s goal, reaffirming his capacity to perform at an elite level despite the advancing years. This continuity not only boosts team morale but also provides a tactical advantage on the field.
A Team In Transition
Scaloni remains clear about the team’s focus. "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 remarked. This forward-looking mindset appears to be central to Argentina's approach, aiming to balance reverence for past glories with the drive to achieve future successes.
Despite questions surrounding the future and the legacy of current stars, Scaloni emphasizes the importance of the present. "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,” Scaloni added, underscoring the importance of nurturing team spirit and maintaining focus on immediate objectives.
As Argentina marches on, powered by a blend of experienced stalwarts and rising stars, the team seeks to build on its historic successes with a sharp focus on evolving tactics and robust defensive strategies. With Messi’s brilliance setting the tone, the future holds promising undertones for the Albiceleste faithful.