The hour is nearing, and we will find out pretty soon whether Messi can be the FIFTH horseman and enter immortality alongside his compatriot, Diego MARADONA. You can feel the weight of expectation he has. A nation expects, he is at the prime age, is in South America, in the home of their sworn rivals...and it's getting ever closer. But can Messi take the weight?
You can't defend a SUPERSTAR who put on the shirt of his national team, and fail to perform on the big stage. No amount of extra motivation is needed when you wear the captain's armband and represent your country. It is the highest honour, and I am slowly seeing Messi understand what it means.
In recent interviews, he's slowly getting it. He realizes that Argentines don't give two cracks about Champions Leagues or La Ligas. They want that cup. They want that trophy. Messi knows that, and he also knows that being called a legend or a great without a World Cup medal makes no sense whatsoever. The CUP IS NEEDED...no excuses.
They won't make it easy for him. Moreso than four years ago, when teams face Argentina, the main ploy used is to STOP Lionel Ritchie. If Lionel Ritchie is allowed to dance, and weave...its game over. So Messi has to find a way of getting past defenders who are there to rough him up and deny him space, as the Germans did to EXCELLENT effect four years ago.
I don't think Argentina will win it, because I don't believe in Messi. If this was Ronaldo, Romario, Zidane, Maradona, Pele...these are dudes who DELIVER on the big stage...come rain, come sunshine. Messi does it for fun for Barcelona, but he has yet to convince me in that light blue and white jersey.....
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HH
