Almost exactly eight years ago, Lionel Messi stood on the hallowed grounds of MetLife Stadium, moments after his team endured a heart-wrenching loss to Chile in the 2016 Copa America final. In a move that shocked the football world, Messi announced his retirement from Argentina's national squad. "For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all that I can," said a visibly distraught Messi, who had just experienced his third consecutive summer of heartbreak. Argentina had fallen at the final hurdle in the 2014 World Cup against Germany, followed by another agonizing defeat to Chile in the 2015 Copa America.
Fast forward to August 2016, and the football maestro had a change of heart, reversing his retirement decision to once again don the iconic blue and white stripes. The turnaround proved to be a turning point in Messi's international career. By 2021, he had finally shattered his trophy drought, leading Argentina to victory in the Copa America. The icing on the cake came in 2022 when Messi lifted the World Cup, solidifying his status as one of the game's all-time greats.
Messi's journey with the national team has spanned almost two decades, yet he remains a crucial figure for Argentina. He is one of only three players on the 2024 roster who also took part in the 2016 tournament. As the team looks to build on past successes, the blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents offers a promising landscape.
The current squad features 26-year-old center-back Cristian Romero and 19-year-old sensation Alejandro Garnacho, symbolizing the team's depth and dynamism. This mix was on display recently when Argentina secured a win over Canada, a match that saw Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both finding the back of the net.
Despite Argentina’s 19-shot offensive flurry, the team underperformed concerning their 3.02 expected goals tally. On the defensive end, allowing Canada to register ten shots on goal highlighted areas of vulnerability. Head coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged these weaknesses, noting, "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 has faith in his center-back pairing, with Romero and Lisandro Martinez establishing themselves as the preferred choices. Scaloni’s approach has been to focus on the present, urging his team to learn from past failures without being overshadowed by them. "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 philosophy extends to Messi, who despite nearing the twilight of his career, continues to deliver moments of magic. Against Canada, he provided a sublime assist for Lautaro Martinez’s goal, showcasing his undiminished playmaking skills. Scaloni, recognizing Messi’s enduring influence, commented, "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."
As Argentina heads into future competitions, the lessons from their past losses and their recent triumphs will undoubtedly shape their journey. While the challenge remains steep, the amalgamation of experienced stalwarts and burgeoning talents bodes well for their prospects. With Lionel Messi still orchestrating on the pitch, the team’s blend of wisdom and youthful exuberance positions them favorably in the competitive landscape of international football.