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Were in the business end of this edition of the World Cup. There have been many brilliant individual performances so far from the usual suspects LionelMessi, Neymar, Thomas Mller and there has also been a surprise package in the form of James Rodriguez.Heres a list of five reasons why Messi is the pick of the lot in this World Cup.
#5 He is carrying both hopes and grudge of his nation on his shoulders
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While Messi is the darling of the masses worldwide, the people of Argentina are not fully behind him as they feel that Messi does not respect the National team jersey like the other players do. They would rather have Tevez in the team as he bears the identity of Argentina.
As Jeff Himmelman stated in the New York Times: “A Central fan named Juan Yacob, who took on an expression of great physical bereavement when asked to speak about Messi. “Messi’s footballing life was developed in Europe,” Yacob said, with a dismissive sniff. “No one can doubt his ability,” Yacob said. “But with Messi, you’re not going to sell anything to a Rosario Central fan.”
This sums up Argentina’s opinion on Messi; they dislike him for leaving Argentina too early and not singing the national anthem before matches. This resentment towards Messi was evident in the match vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, when Argentine fans started booing Messi after he skied a free-kick over the cross-bar.
In the same match after scoring his first goal in the World Cup after 8 years, the crowd started getting behind him. Messi has finally started to deliver for his country. So, this World Cup is the make or break tournament for him to finally start winning accolades for Argentina.
#4 He played a role in 6 out of 7 Argentina goals
Messi has been involved in all but one goal scored by Argentina in the four matches played. He took the free-kick which resulted in the own goal scored by Kolasinac vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He assisted Di Maria’s extra-time winner vs Switzerland. He scored four goals – against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and two against Nigeria.
In a team containing the likes of Angel di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero; Messi is doing the hard-work all by himself. He is the glue that is holding Argentina together in this tournament.
#3 Contender for Golden Ball and Golden Boot
Having scored 4 goals; Messi is second in the list of top scorers along with Neymar and Müller, behind James Rodriguez who has scored 5 goals. With Colombia likely to go down to Brazil in the quarter-finals, Messi has a good chance to become the top scorer and win the Golden Boot.
Messi received 4 Man of the Match awards in the four matches played. With Argentina likely to reach the semi-finals and given the recent form of Messi; There is a possibility of Messi winning two more MotM awards. Thus, it makes Messi the front runner to take home the Golden Ball.
Having said that Messi has a rare chance to do a Golden Ball & Golden Boot double.
#2 He is more effective than James Rodriguez
When comparing Colombia and Argentina – Rodriguez has Cuadrado, Jackson Martinez and co pitching in with their fair share of goals while Messi has taken the goal scoring responsibility all by himself.
With Sergio Aguero struggling for fitness and Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria not in their best form in this tournament; the onus is on Messi to continue scoring goals.
Messi has completed more passes; created more chances and completed more take-ons than Rodriguez. Also, as a captain, Messi is more responsible for his team’s performance than James Rodriguez.
#1 He is matching Maradonas exploits of the 1986 WC
One of the main talking points coming into the World Cup was whether Messi could replicate Maradona’s heroics in the 1986 World Cup. Till now, Messi has been more than equal to the task.
In this stage of the World Cup in 1986, Maradona had only one goal to his name. The bulk of his scoring came in the quarters & semis where he scored 4 goals.
Messi has a lot more to offer in this WC. If he is able to lead Argentina to World Cup glory, then he will surely be coronated as the third King of Football following the likes of Pele and Maradona.
