Rayge wrote:Because of my distaste for Sky and indeed for tiki-tacky or whatever it's called, I've probably only seen Messi play a dozen times over the last decade or so, mostly for the national side, and while I wouldn't dream of arguing with all those who've seen a lot more, the fact remains that I've never seen him play particularly well, let alone at pantheon level, and, with my predilection for magical thinking, I'm wondering whether I'm jinxing him. Whatever, I'll definitely be watching the last match, and hoping that Nigeria get a result.
*general comment* He dragged the last team to the final and was player of the tournament. It was still lacking the magic of Maradona in 86 but it should have put some of the criticism to bed regarding Messi and the national team. *general comment*
The world cup isn't the barometer of greatness it once was and I think most people accept that these days but he has had plenty moments of brilliance for the national side even if he hasn't dominated a world cup like Maradona did but then who has? It's unfair to judge him by that but that's what people do of course.
This particular Argentinian team is the worst I can remember. In the first game they were not tactically set up to go through Iceland which left Messi trying to penetrate a packed centre of the pitch with predictably frustrating results. Last night was even worse and he really had little or nothing to work with the whole match.
I'm not a fan of the Argentinian national side but it was sad seeing him last night. If this is the end, and surely it is (he'll be 35 by the time of the next one) then it was not a fitting way for him to (almost) bow out (assuming they go home). He deserves better.