Lionel Messi’s Argentina face their World Cup day of destiny, needing a win against Nigerian to have any chance of progressing to the last 16. Messi has had a rough time in Russia so far. He is however expected live up to his reputation as one of the world’s best players, by helping his team secure a spot in the round of 16 today. Nigeria would advance with a win, and a draw might be enough for the Super Eagles depending on group leader Croatia’s result against Iceland.
Time to score at the World Cup. Time to save Argentina from another crushing disappointment. Time to end questions about his performance in the biggest games. Other stars have come through at this World Cup. Messi’s great rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored four goals. So has Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku. Neymar has a goal for Brazil. Toni Kroos scored when Germany desperately needed it.
The only thing Messi has accumulated after two matches is mounting pressure. To leave Russia without even making it past the group stage would be a massive humiliation for Messi. It would also strengthen the impression some fans have of him back home, which is of a maverick genius who goes missing in critical international matches. His only medal with Argentina came 10 years ago – at the Summer Olympics – but other than that there have been only demoralizing defeats.
Messi was kept quiet in the World Cup final four years ago as Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany. Messi also played for Argentina when it lost the Copa America final in 2007 – when he didn’t shoulder much blame because of his youth – and in 2015 and 2016. After the loss to Chile two years ago, Messi missed a penalty in the shootout and then announced his retirement. But he changed his mind, desperate to make things right by leading Argentina to World Cup success.
It was Messi’s hat trick – in the final qualifying match at Ecuador – that got Argentina to Russia in the first place. Considering he will be 35 at the next tournament, this may be his last chance. Tuesday’s game, therefore, is make-or-break not just for his country but also for him. So far in this tournament, he has missed a penalty – which was poorly taken – in the 1-1 draw against Iceland. Then he had a frustrating game in the 3-0 loss to Croatia. The widely accepted view is that Messi didn’t get enough help from his teammates and wasn’t getting the ball to his feet quickly enough to trouble the slick Croats.
It’s a convenient argument when applied to most forwards, but Messi is unique and beyond comparison with all current players except Ronaldo. He is a five-time Golden Ball winner, a scorer of 552 club goals for Barcelona – not to mention 64 for his country – and dozens of hat tricks. If his teammates can’t find a way to play to his strengths, Messi should still be good enough to produce at least one moment of magic.
Preferably on Tuesday night in St. Petersburg.