So how many of you can say that you got spat in the face whilst being at an airport? Lionel can, as that is what the River Plate supporters did when he was departing from Japan back "home" to Spain.
This incident goes in line with the very sharp divide that exists in Argentina about one of their greatest ever products. Some see him as the greatest player ever, and someone who is the very reason they go to two finals in the space of a year with the national team. They see what he's doing with Barcelona, the records he's broken and the Ballon D'Ors he has. To this side, Messi is the Don and at least on par with Maradona.
Then you have the others. Those from the street. The ones who idolize Maradona for his efforts in both 86 and 90. They see Messi as an outsider. This great player touted as the best ever, who came up short in two of the most important matches at the World Cup. And again, failed to deliver during the Copa America final. These Argentines respect his talent and ability, but don't see him in the same light as Maradona who bled for his country and was always "one of the boys from the streets."
For Messi, the only way he can win this side over is by winning a World Cup or Copa. Too much damage has already been done by how long he's spent in Spain and the things he's said in the press. On top of that, you've got to just look at his personality. He's not Maradona. He isn't the kind of player who would spill blood and break his back in a match. Instead, he relies on his talent that has served him so well at Barcelona to see him through matches. Unfortunately, that talent has not been good enough as there's always been a team who have wanted it more than him.
I'm not sure what is going on inside Messi's mind now, especially after that episode in the airport. It would have been so shocking for him that he may really now consider just hanging up his boots. In his mind, he believes he is giving his all and he still gets criticized for it. But if he does give it all up, he will never ever be loved by sections in Argentina. Some will retain their love for him but others would call him a coward and traitor for just running away from the pressure.
I would advise he doesn't do that because when he gets much older, he will come to regret it.
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HH
