It turned out to be another disappointing World Cup outing for Argentina and star Lionel Messi after being painfully eliminated from the 2018 edition at the round of 16 by Le Blues of France on Saturday 30th June evening. Kylian Mbappe was the main tormentor as he struck twice in a hugely entertaining 4-3 win.
It hasn’t been an easy walk for Argentina though as the team had a rough time qualifying from their Group D where they were lined up against winners Croatia, African representatives Nigeria and Iceland, finishing second after a one-all draw with Iceland, heavy 0-3 loss to Iceland and a narrow 2-1 win over Nigeria.
Messi was clearly a disappointed man despite his contribution in the match against France in which his shot hit Mercado and rolled into the net leaving Argentina leading 2-1 in the 48th minute before tables turned later in the high-speed match.
With the loss, the World Cup remains a Mirage for the World Class Barcelona attacker who has won all other accolades.
In what could be his last game on a World Cup stage, Messi tried in vain to steer his Argentina side to the quarter-final stage.Employed as a false nine in the first half, Messi struggled to get himself involved, drifting away from his forward position to find the ball, meaning Argentina were often left with no recognised striker.Messi was left with no choice but to edge deeper, but the defensive work of France midfielders N’Golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi to interrupt Messi’s rhythm meant he could not have the impact many Argentine supporters were hoping.Argentina playmaker turned 31 earlier in June and he celebrated with his teammates in Russia as they struggle to advance to the next stage in the 2018 World Cup. Messi in his footballing career has achieved all there is and has gathered all the accolades to his name except one – the FIFA World Cup, which is the most revered trophy in the football world.
Despite his remarkable career, the five-time Balon d’Or winner has never been able to lead his country to a major championship victory. There was the 2014 World Cup final defeat and, in the Copa America, back-to-back disappointments in 2015 and 2016 finals. With the age in count, this could have been his last chance to lift the most coveted trophy in football – but he unfortunately again missed it!
Messi has also hinted at retirement before and it is yet to be seen if he will get through to another match with the National Team now that the World Cup has largely proved to be a mirage for him and teammates.