It’s now or never for Messi

With less than 15 days to go for the FIFA World Cup, the Argentina Camp, fans and the pundits must be hoping for the team to at least reach the finals. Why shouldn’t they? An attack comprising of Gonzalo Higuian, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Sergio Aguero, Angel DiMaria and the man himself, Lionel Messi is mean enough to tear apart any defense on the planet.

This is arguably the last time that we are seeing such a ferocious attack for a national team. Each of the above names has been in very good form for their respective clubs. Apart from Messi, everyone has won a trophy. Despite a trophyless season, the four time Ballon d’Or winner scored 41 goals and well by the end of the season, he was invisible on the pitch. The number of goals scored by Messi this season maybe a dream for most of the forwards; it has been an utter disappointment for him by his own superhuman standards.

Messi has found himslef at the recieving end in the 2010 WC.

The last part of the past season pretty much matches his own record with the national side in the World Cups. Messi managed to score just one World Cup goal in the 2 world cups he has played so far. He came in the last World Cup with some good form for Barcelona, but failed to convert the same for his country. Unlike last time, he has a very talented attacking squad at his disposal; something he lacked during the 2010 WC. But this time, it could be different.

First of all, he has shown that he ‘can’ convert the good form of club to country during the qualifiers by netting 10 goals and a lot more is expected from him. Second, he is playing in Brazil; his second home considering the similarity in conditions of both the nations. Third, he arguably has the best squad he could have asked for in terms of attacking. The attack is fierce enough to compensate for the not so good defense.

Messi will turn 27 next month, his entire squad will be older by 4 years by the next world cup and the fire in them wouldn’t be the same after that time span. Plus, the conditions he is getting in Brazil, his current form for the National side which is a very good factor to add to the chances of Argentina winning the Cup.

The little magician has won everything it is there to be won for a footballer whether be it in terms of individual awards or club records. The World Cup is still missing from his trophy cabinet. The greatness of the players in the history books has always been measured by a World Cup. This is the best chance he has to write his name in the record books and well, by the end of the WC, he just might.

It’s now or never for Messi.