KitSports » Lionel Messi https://kitsports.com More than sports Mon, 05 Apr 2021 04:24:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.13 Argentina frets over Messi’s future https://kitsports.com/?p=2571 https://kitsports.com/?p=2571#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:15:43 +0000 http://kitsports.com/?p=2571 AFP) Argentina is gripped by debate over superstar Lionel Messi, who was devastated by losing the Copa America final and has withdrawn into a shocked isolation.
Some observers in his home country say criticism fired at Messi could force him to take a break from national duty.
The 28-year-old football genius left the pitch ashen-faced after Argentina lost the Copa America to Chile in a 4-1 penalty shootout in Santiago on Saturday.
The scenes were reminiscent of last year’s World Cup final when Germany beat Argentina in extra time. Then ‘Leo’ left in tears. Messi first tasted a major defeat in 2007 when Argentina lost 3-0 to old rivals Brazil in the Copa final.
Messi finally posted a statement on his facebook account late Monday.
“There’s nothing more painful in football than losing a final,” he said.
“But I don’t want to leave it any longer to say thank you to everyone who has always supported us and continued to during the tough moments.”
Despite his huge success with Barcelona, Messi is now going through tough moments as is a country which has not won a major title for 22 years.
Spanish media reports said Messi turned down the player of the tournament trophy. The trophy was withdrawn before the presentation ceremony in Santiago.
Messi and the other Argentine stars were criticised by the country’s media for their performance. Members of his family were also abused by Chilean fans at the match, according to Argentinian media.
Some observers have warned that Messi could walk away from the national side.
“Desolate after another lost final, and especially by the tough criticism, Messi could take a break from the national team,” the Ole sports daily reported Tuesday.
Television talk shows are now dominated by what is wrong with Messi and the national football team. Why does he not dazzle for Argentina like he does for Barcelona.
“One day this boy is going to get tired and will not want to come to play for the team,” former Argentine international Matias Almeyda, now coach of the Banfield club, told Fox Sports television.
“He was criticised for not signing the national anthem. He is always being criticised for something,” Almeyda added.
“He’s the best player in the world and he is not treated in the way he deserves.”
Argentina Football Association president Luis Segura has been shocked by the suggestions.
If Messi left, Argentina could lose out on key earnings from friendly internationals in which he is often under contract to play.
“I don’t understand the people who criticise him,” Segura said.
“Messi suffers as much as the supporters from not winning a title.”
Messi had a brilliant season with the all-conquering Barcelona but Almeyda said “it is very difficult (for Argentine players) to repeat for the national team what they do for their clubs.”
Messi has already scored more goals for Argentina than the country’s beloved Diego Maradona. But he has never won a World Cup like Maradona did in 1986.
His next chance could come in Russia in 2018. Messi will be 31 then and that could be his last chance too.
After the Santiago final, Messi took refuge at his home city of Rosario, 300 kilometers (180 miles) from Buenos Aires, as he traditionally does during Spain’s break from football.
Around him, the criticism goes on against the team and its coach Gerardo Martinez.
Some top footballers have Tweeted their support for Messi. Some Argentines are however using social media however to say that “Maradona = Messi and Javier Mascherano.”

]]> https://kitsports.com/?feed=rss2&p=2571 0 Messi sparkles as Argentina thrash Paraguay at Copa America https://kitsports.com/?p=2458 https://kitsports.com/?p=2458#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2015 02:46:16 +0000 http://kitsports.com/?p=2458 AFP) Lionel Messi produced a scintillating individual performance as Argentina destroyed Paraguay 6-1 to reach the final of the Copa America here Tuesday.

The Barcelona superstar tormented Paraguay mercilessly as the favourites produced their best display of the tournament and advanced to a showdown with Chile in Saturday’s final.
Although Messi failed to end his run of more than 900 minutes without an international goal from open play, he turned creator as Argentina tore Paraguay apart.
Goals from Angel Di Maria (2), Marcos Rojo, Javier Pastore, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain completed an emphatic rout for the South American giants.
A satisfied Messi was delighted Argentina’s potent collection of attacking talent finally appears to have clicked with Saturday’s final looming.
“We’ve been playing well – we knew once we scored one goal, many more would come, and that’s what happened,” said Messi as he collected his man-of-the-match award.
“We got an early goal and then found more space, and then we got the second. We continued to play the same way and more goals came.”
Argentina, who finished runners-up in last year’s World Cup, are determined to clinch a first major title in 22 years at the Copa America.
“The important thing is that we’ve achieved our first objective by reaching the final. Now we need to win it,” Messi said.
Manchester United defender Rojo and Paris Saint-Germain’s Pastore had given Argentina a 2-0 lead midway through the first half before Paraguay pulled one back through Lucas Barrios.
But any Paraguayan hopes of repeating their heroics in the group phase – when they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 – were snuffed out by two goals in six minutes from Di Maria early in the second half.

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