The Curious Case of Lionel Messi

“We will certainly win on Sunday, and if we don’t win, they shouldn’t come back," -Diego Maradona

The Centenary edition of Copa America would go down the years as one of the saddest events in the history of football. Not only did Argentina lose a consecutive third final in a span of two years, but the most talismanic and demoniac player ever to don the Argentina jersey, the one and only Lionel Messi announced that he would wind up his International career. Football and non-football fans alike were taken by a humungous jolt. Social media burst into an agonistic scene filled with hysterical human beings. Now, many fans are even voicing their demand for Messi to reconsider his decision. Will Messi come back from his retirement? Or is this the final word for Messi in his 11 year long international career? We will have to wait and watch!

Long since the amazing career of Lionel Messi began, the pressure to lead the national team to a major International trophy had always loomed large over the picturesque player. Over the years, people had been identifying Argentina as the country of Maradona. The current generation had eternally put another name in the form of Lionel Messi to that coveted honor and tribute. And hence, the burden certainly became an enormous one down the years. Collapsing at the final step of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Copa America, along with the centenary edition this year must have had some seriously tough introspection for the 5-time World Footballer of the Year holder. Essentially, during Messi’s playing time in the national colors, his countrymen have not been quite facile over him. Comparisons with Maradona, who is ironically more famous for his ‘Hand of God’ goal than his outlandish achievements have made matters worse in the recent years. Maradona, no doubt was from a different era than Messi but then, the comparisons did not cease. Articles such as 'Who is Argentina's Greatest: Maradona or Messi?' were such pity!

If on one side, comparisons with Maradona were a bitter phenomenon, his competitive analogy with Cristiano Ronaldo on the International stage has taken a new harsh path. And all of this coming on the backdrop of Messi floundering to win a major tournament with Argentina.

It is despairing to watch people failing to associate the artistic genius of Lionel Messi. The glorious accomplishments he has had with his club Barcelona is unmatched beyond the reach of any mortal being. The current generation has to be indebted about Messi for being one of the two astonishing and bewildering footballers in the modern age, besides Ronaldo. His pure ingenuity on the field has the tendency to bring about a feeling of euphoria in any football fan’s visage. The football in Messi’s feet is tantamount to the enchanting embrace in Beethoven’s musical notes or rather Picasso’s aesthetic brush. We should remember Messi for his amplitude on the football field irrespective of the result of the game. You have to understand that football is a team game and Argentina’s glories shouldn’t entirely rest upon Messi’s shoulders. Rather it is an obligation on the entire team. One should also not forget that the rest of the players in the Argentine national team too blundered to deliver in the finale. Hence, the critics are arguably wrong when they say Messi has over the years failed to deliver the expectations of the national team.

The news about Messi’s retirement has spread like a huge forest fire. Argentines and other neutral fans now comprehend the quality of jewel they had in Messi. Before his unexpected announcement, every fan was blindly denouncing his inability to guide his national team to glory and now, subsequent to his decision, they, including that ingloriously fat drug-addict, who failed miserably as the manager of the national team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, want him back. Such ludicrous humans do not deserve the prodigious Lionel Messi. One must not expect an immediate resurgence from him but you can't deny about the endless possibilities of life. Even though I am a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, I can’t squabble about the fact that Messi is indeed a great personality both on and off the pitch. His fabulous feats and attainments genuinely belong to a distinctive galaxy. And without any dispute, the apparent rivalry with Ronaldo is undoubtedly what modern football revolves about. And all this at a young age of 29!

Until Russia 2018!

Lionel Messi!