Is Lionel Messi’s commitment to Argentina questionable?

 

Lionel Messi sat out the two friendly matches Argentina played during the international break. He was not missed in the first as La Albiceleste beat a recuperating Italy team 2-0 at the Etihad stadium in Manchester. But it was a different ball game when the team played Spain in the subsequent match in Madrid on Tuesday. Argentina suffered its biggest defeat in over a decade losing 6-1 to La Furia Roja while Messi looked on helplessly.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was left out of the match as he complained about thigh muscle discomfort. But just four days later he was on hand to rescue Barcelona from suffering its first loss of the season in the league. Messi struck in the 89th minute to level the scores at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in a match Sevilla had dominated for most parts of the game. Sevilla led 2-0 after Luis Muriel added a second goal early in the second half. But the Argentine was introduced into the match in the 58th minute. Prior to his introduction, Barcelona looked a shadow of its usual self as Sevilla bossed the game firing shot after shot on goal. It seemed only a lack of composure in front of goal was keeping the Catalan side in the game.

With Messi now on the pitch the game suddenly took on a new complexion. Sevilla was now on the back foot and relied on counter-attacks to do any damage. A series of wasted efforts kept the game at 2-0 with the possibility of a comeback. Messi’s movement on the ball did not suggest he was experiencing any discomfort. He made several driving runs that have become synonymous with his game. It was with one of his trademark shots from just outside the eighteen-yard box that he scored the leveller to earn Barcelona a point in the match.

But his national team really needed his help just four days prior. Spain ran riot on La Albiceleste as if trying to take advantage of Messi’s absence. A cameo appearance even if he was not fully fit could have limited the damage. Yes, it was just a friendly game. But it goes down in the history books as a national embarrassment.

No one doubts the contributions Messi has made to the national team. He single-handedly took the team to Russia with a hat-trick in the final qualifier. But he is not expected to abandon the team either at the slightest opportunity. That accounts for why he has sometimes had a frosty relationship with the media and fans back home.
Even his idol Diego Maradona has come out to question his commitment. After the World Cup final loss back in 2014 and the second Copa America final loss against Chile the following year, the former Argentinean talisman did not hold back in giving his own opinion about the current national team captain. He spoke in an interview with Argentine sports paper, Ole.

It’s logical that he comes in for flak, it’s easy to explain. We’ve got the best player in the world, who goes and scores four goals against Real Sociedad, then he comes here and doesn’t touch the ball”“You’re left saying to yourself ‘Dammit, are you Argentinian or Swedish?”
 

The former national team captain and the national icon was voicing an opinion that may be shared by many Argentines. Messi may need to do more for Argentina. His success with Barcelona cannot be compared to what he has given to the national team. Between November 2017 and March 2018, Argentina played four friendly matches - against Russia, Nigeria, Italy and Spain. Messi played in only one of them. But he has hardly missed a game for Barcelona in the same period.

Argentina has played in three World Cup tournaments with Messi. The closest La Albiceleste has come to winning one is finishing as Runners-Up in 2014. They have also failed to lift the Copa title in two finals with Messi pulling the strings in the midfield. On all occasions, he failed to score the goals they needed. He even missed from the penalty spot. These things happen, but when they become repetitive you need to ask some questions.

How is it that Messi scores the crucial goals for Barcelona to win trophies but cannot find his footing for Argentina? How is it that Messi stands by and watches Argentina suffer while he comes in to rescue a point or two that Barcelona could do without and still win the league? Maybe he needs to value playing for the national team more to finally win the one trophy that could finally crown him as the Greatest Player of all Time in Russia.