Lionel Messi says this is his final World Cup, and Argentina is among the favorites to win it all
There are few times in sport in which perceived fate plays out the way we expect. Most often, the underdog falters, the hero fades, the storybook ending goes up in flames. But if there’s a team of destiny in Qatar, it’s this one.
Messi hastily retired from the Argentinian national team in 2016 after a defeat to Chile in the Copa América Centenario final. He then returned, evidently with more to prove. Messi has long battled the pressure that comes with succeeding Diego Maradona as Argentinian football’s global superstar. The latter captained his country to a win in the 1986 World Cup. The former didn’t have any international trophies to his name—until the triumph in 2021.
To some, Messi has already cemented his legacy as the greatest soccer player of all time. To others, he has one World Cup trophy-sized hole in his career résumé. If there’s any Argentina squad during Messi’s tenure that could win a title, it may just be this one. Alongside Lautaro Martínez and Juventus’s Ángel Di María, few teams possess a more potent starting front three. The midfield is heavily attack-minded, but Rodrigo De Paul should slot in well alongside Leandro Paredes. And in goal, Emi Martínez has been excellent in an Argentina shirt.
that have hung around a proud footballing nation for more than two decades. Fair or otherwise, Messi has caught flak for each of Argentina’s failed World Cup campaigns with him on the pitch—even in 2014, when he won the tournament’s Golden Ball award and led his side to the final. Now with a trophy in hand, he enters Qatar knowing that his legacy can only be further solidified with a title.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lionel Messi, Notable Stars Likely Playing in Their Last FIFA World CupThe 2022 FIFA World Cup could be the last for many star athletes who’ve made strides in the name of soccer. Among those include Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. See more, here:
Read more »
Argentina World Cup squadArgentina coach Lionel Scaloni named his 26-man squad for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup in Qatar on Friday.
Read more »
FINA Swimming World Cup brings world-class athletes to IndianapolisThe FINA World Cup gave Hoosiers a glimpse of the excitement to expect in 2024 when the USA Swimming Olympic trails come to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Read more »
Jesús Ferreira, Weston McKennie among Texans selected for U.S. FIFA World Cup rosterFC Dallas forward Jesus Ferreira was named to the United States’ World Cup squad on Wednesday. Winger Paul Arriola was not selected, a surprise after the 27-yea...
Read more »
World Cup: Zack Steffen, Jordan Pefok among biggest USMNT roster snubsWorld Cup rosters expanded further than ever before in 2022, and yet, with an increasingly deep player pool at his disposal, U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter had some thorny decisions to make.
Read more »