ARGENTINA: CAN MESSI BE THE NEXT MARADONA ?

Just a week away from the biggest show on earth, the Argentineans will be hoping their team to taste glory this time around as they go into the world cup as one of the firm favorites. They have won two world cups till now in 1978 and 1986. Maradona was the star turner for Argentina in the 1986 world cup and the team was considered one of the very best in the history of football. All eyes would be set on Messi who has been compared to the legend Maradona all his life.

Arguably, none of the other nations competing at this year’s fifa world cup has an attack that comes close to Argentina’s and there is great anticipation for the appearance of their creative talent in Brazil. The coach Alejandro Sabella has been an impact from the day of his arrival. One of his major transformations was to build the team around Lionel Messi who was named the captain of the team. The world’s best player has played more minutes than any other player in the qualifying stages of the World Cup and was the team’s top scorer. Sabella has guided the team to Brazil with a plethora of world class strikers and now has the enviable problem of accommodating them. In addition to Messi, Sabella can depend on goals from Aguero, Higuain, Lavezzi and the attacking midfielder Di Maria. The coach and the fans would be concerned about the other end of the pitch where they lack the experience and depth. Mascherano and Zabaletta would have a crucial role to play as the former would play the role of a defensive midfielder and the latter is the only experienced defensive player in the entire line up. Zabaletta would be expected to guide the back four and help them to deal with the pressure which comes along with the world cup. Sergio Romero will be the keeper who does not have regular experience behind his back and this will be a major concern for the team especially when it enters the knockout stages.

Argentina are clubbed with Bosnia, Nigeria and Iran in Group F. They play their opening match against the world cup debutants Bosnia on June 15. The team should not find it tough to make it through the group. Argentina has another distinct advantage this time around as the host nation share their borders with them. The supporters would certainly be coming in huge numbers to support their home team and the team would certainly feel at home.

The time has come when the world waits for Lionel Messi to rise. The question that has been on the lips of every fan is “Can he play the same level of football that he plays for Barcelona”?  The world has compared him to the legend of the game Maradona ever since he started playing football. A legend with a world cup and one without one are certainly two different things. Can Messi go into the history books by attaining the glory in Brazil? It is certainly not going to be easy but it is neither impossible by any means.