subject: Lionel Messi Carries The Weight Of A Nation [print this page] World Cup 2010 in South Africa was an event to forget for the vast majority of football fans. Best remembered for its negative tactics, lack of goals, irritating vuvuzelas and no goals from Lionel Messi, it is likely that it will only be winners Spain who look back on the tournament fondly.
Spain, built around the brilliant Barcelona and Real Madrid teams with a focus on possession and passing, were somewhat underwhelming themselves. After losing their first game they progressed to the final on the back of 1-0 wins, excluding their 2-1 victory over Chile, and failed to display the attacking prowess expected of them.
Six Barcelona players started the World Cup Final for Spain but unfortunately for the Iberian nation they could not select Barcas star man Lionel Messi who appeared for Argentina. Messi made the decision to represent the land of his birth rather than then country he has lived in since the age of 13 but has never replicated his form in the blue and red of Barcelona for the blue and white of Argentina.
Did Messi make the wrong choice? Had he chosen Spain it is likely he would now have European Championship and World Cup medals to his name and would have probably been given the opportunity to shine in the way he hasnt with Argentina.
When playing for his national side Messi has had to live with the weight of history on his shoulders; the expectation to mirror the achievements of Diego Maradona and to once again return the World Cup to Argentina. So far Messis efforts have been fruitless, only managing to win an Olympic gold at Beijing in 2008.
Fans often question his dedication to the Argentine cause, particularly after living in Spain for such a long period of time, and accuse him of not putting in the same effort he give towards his club side. Statistics appear to support this view with Lionel Messi averaging 0.77 goals per game for Barcelona compared to 0.37 goals per game for his country.
Perhaps what is necessary for Messi to truly flourish in Argentinas colours is stability. Having played under numerous managers for his country it seems a lack of understanding of his role in the national team is what is holding him back rather than his own ability. A hat-trick against rivals Brazil could prove to be a turning point for Lionel Messi as Argentina seek to improve on last years disastrous Copa America campaign under Alejandro Sabella.
Lionel Messi would have fitted perfectly into a Spain team had he chosen to represent them and lit up any game he played for them. Decisively it was Argentina he chose and Argentine fans should remember that Messi is firmly committed to his country stating, I would never have chosen to play for Spain because I am Argentinian.
Many of the best players fail to live up to their billing on the international stage but with time on his side the 24 year old has several major tournaments left to play and will not be regretting his decision to play for Argentina.
