"When we were young, we admired Messi . When we grew up, we walked side by side with Messi." The Argentine national football team once again reached the World Cup final after 8 years. Looking back on the past ten years, although Argentina has a GOAT that dominates the football world - Captain Messi (Lionel) Messi) plays the role of soul, but still fails to lift the Hercules Cup for the third time in team history. In this 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Argentine national team has injected a lot of new blood. These young players have started their youth in 2006. They have watched Messi carry the hope of the whole country and shoot on the court with their heroic posture. Now, after Messi has fought for more than ten years, the teenagers have grown up and become players shining in football, gathering with Messi like gravity, saying that they will bring the Hercules Cup back to Argentina together.
In this World Cup event, although Argentina unexpectedly lost against Saudi Arabia in the first group match, it then blocked its opponents Mexico, Poland with two matches 2:0, won the first place in the group to advance to the knockout stage, and defeated Australia, Netherlands in succession, and continued to move towards the Hercules Cup - although in the knockout round, Argentina several times The situation fell into a thrilling situation, but with the cooperation of the national team and the hard struggle of the players, the Pampas Eagles continues to soar. In several games, the young Argentine players' wonderful performances have also attracted the attention of fans around the world and European League clubs - they have watched Messi play football since they were young, and now they are chasing the dream of the World Cup with their idols and have become part of their idol's dream.
In the group stage against Mexico, Messi took the lead in the 64th minute, with an incredible world wave, opening the Mexico goal for Argentina. Then 21-year-old young player Enzo Fernández caught Messi's assist and scored a beautiful goal. This kick made Fernandez, who looked handsome, attracted the attention of the world - he became the second youngest World Cup goal player in the history of Messi and Argentina.
Argentine media found a letter written by Fernandez to Messi when he was 15 years old. It was 2016. The disheartened Messi planned to withdraw from the Argentine national team. Fernandez, who has watched Messi play football since childhood, was anxious to keep his idol, but was afraid that the blue and white shirt would become Messi's painful pressure.
In 2016, after Argentina lost in the final of the Cup of America and lost to Chile for two consecutive PKs, Argentina's domestic pressure of scolding turned to Messi in one breath. Messi, who was disheartened about the game and the Argentine Football Association, announced that he would withdraw from the national team. Fernandez, who was sad for his idol at the time, wrote on his Facebook that he wanted to deal with Messi. He said, "How do we convince you? If we have never been under even one percent of the pressure on your shoulders, you wake up and look in the mirror every morning and know that more than 40 million Argentines want you to be perfect, this ridiculous pressure is imposed on you.
How do we convince you? If we don't realize that you are also a person, a person with unparalleled talent, The best player on this planet, but you are also a person after all.
How do we convince you? If we never realize that you should not be responsible for the anger we lose, this anger often comes more from our own frustration in the game, reflecting ourselves. We should look in the mirror and ask ourselves, is there one percent of what we ask of ourselves for you - this person we don't even know?
Do what you want to do, Lionel, but please consider staying, staying, and enjoying the game... In a world full of absurd pressure, the best thing that everyone can get from the game is the fun of playing football.
Watching you wear Argentina's blue and white jersey is the greatest pride in the world. I hope you enjoy playing football, because when you are happy, you don't know how happy we are. Thank you, I hope you forgive us."
Two months after Messi announced his retirement from the national team, after several communications, he said that the support and enthusiasm of the Argentine fans for him made him change his mind and willing to return to the national team. He once again put on the blue and white jersey and tied the captain's armband. Has he read this letter or been influenced by Fernandez's full words between the lines? The emotional impact is unknown, but the boy who was delighted to see his idol return to the national team at the time embraced his passion for football. With continuous efforts, he also became a professional player in 2019. In 2022, he transferred from a local club in Argentina to Benfica, Portugal, to start his career in Europe, and was selected for the national team, becoming Messi's teammate.
This World Cup was Fernandez’s first appearance in the world football team. When he and Messi worked together to score a goal, and when Messi ran towards him, jumped on him and hugged him, the dream became extremely real. When Messi was interviewed after the game, he also spoke highly of Fernandez. He said:
"I am not surprised by Enzo's outstanding performance. I know him well. Not only did I watch him train in the national team, I also played against him in the European League. He is an amazing kid and a very important player for us."
In addition to Fernandez, Argentina's 22-year-old center Julián Alvarez (Julián Alvarez) has scored goals in games against Poland and Australia. Álvarez) has also attracted international attention. Alvarez, who currently plays for Premier League Manchester City, was selected for the Argentina national team in 2021. When Argentina won the 2021 America's Cup, ending the 28-year championship drought, and Messi proudly lifted the first national team championship trophy in his career, Alvarez was also one of the jubilant players behind him.
Alvarez was excited to take photos with Messi when he was a child. Now that he has become an outstanding player, he often posts photos on his personal Instagram celebrating goals with his admired idol Messi. " guardian " commented that Alvarez provides Messi with better performance opportunities in the Argentine national team - Alvarez is extremely good at the forward line, and he can contribute to the team whether he is on the wing or the main forward.
Alvarez's appearance has increased Argentina's shooting, ball control, and scoring statistics throughout the game. His active running in the frontcourt has also created more space for Messi. Considering that Messi often runs short distances in games, he is known as the "Walking King" and is more inclined. Alvarez tends to attack the opponent's flaws in an instant. At this time, Alvarez, who can open up space in the frontcourt and wide areas and press the opponent, will undoubtedly make Argentina's attack smoother and allow Messi to unleash his talents more fully. Alvarez has also proven that he also has excellent scoring ability.
On the Argentina team, there is also midfielder De Paul (Rodrigo De Paul), who is nicknamed by fans as "Messi's bodyguard". Paul), this title comes from a friendly match between Argentina and Honduras in September 2022. At that time, Argentina defeated Honduras 3:0. Messi scored two goals alone. The Honduran players defended even more desperately, and Messi was violated. After the collision, DePaul immediately rushed forward to argue; after the game, the opponent's players came forward to take photos with Messi and exchange jerseys. The tall and strong DePaul also stood by Messi's side, asking the other party not to be embarrassed. When a staff member grabbed Messi, DePaul's hand was immediately pulled away by DePaul.
After the image of "Messi's bodyguard" was established, various memes of DePaul desperately defending Messi appeared on social networks. Videos of DePaul following Messi closely on the practice field and on the court, and watching Messi when he interacted with opponent players, were also widely circulated among fans. On the eve of the World Cup, when DePaul was interviewed by the media and talked about his friendship with Messi, he also said:
"I care about Leo very much, and I know that he cares about me very much. We are very close off the court because we have a lot of fun, we are good friends, and my good friend and I are very happy.”
On the court, De Paul, who plays for La Liga Atletico Madrid, has both offense and defense. He plays an important defensive role in the midfield, frequently blocks opponents' offense and steals the ball to create more opportunities for strikers such as Messi. In the 2021 Copa America final against Brazil, De Paul assists "Angel" Di María, scoring the winning goal for Argentina.
Both De Paul and Di Maria were injured. In the last Argentina match against the Netherlands, De Paul failed to play completely and Di Maria only played in the playoffs. However, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said on December 12 that the two were in good shape. Although they did not directly confirm whether Di Maria and De Paul would start, Argentina's two major helps to recover from injuries can be said to be great news for the Tango Legion.
In fact, Messi is not only a football star he admires, but also a warm captain who can encourage morale. For example, the 25-year-old forward who failed to score in the group stage, performed poorly and lost the starting position, and lost the starting position. Martínez), he came on as a substitute against Australia, caught Messi's pass in the open position in front of the goal, but kicked away. Although Argentina still won the game, Lautaro was criticized by Argentina fans, and Messi defended Lautaro and told the media:
"Laotaro is a very important player to us, he is a The most important thing for a forward who scored goals is that he can look at the next quarter-finals and the events after this World Cup with a calm attitude. "
Afterwards, Lautaro voluntarily played the last point in the PK match between Argentina and the Netherlands, endured the huge pressure of victory or defeat, and scored beautifully. In an instant, he changed from a forward who lost confidence to the country's hero, which also proved Messi and Scaloni's long-term affirmation of him.
In addition, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who defended the Dutch team's first two goals in the PK battle, is also very grateful to Messi. Martínez once sat on the bench for 10 years in the Premier League arsenal, and was loaned to the second division team six times. It was not until 2020 that he qualified for the start with an excellent performance in a substitute opportunity, and then helped the arsenal win the English FA championship and proved himself.
The situation in the Argentine national team is similar. Martinez was recruited for the first time in 2011, but he didn't make his debut until the 2021 Copa America. However, he performed wonderfully in the Copa America, especially when the semi-finals match against Colombia and the game entered the PK battle, Martinez successfully saved three goals, helping Argentina advance to the final with a 3:2 result and finally won the championship. At that time, Messi praised Martinez for "protecting us in the end, we are not nervous because we can count on him, he can always help us overcome difficulties, and the same is true today!"
And Martinez also publicly stated in an interview after the Copa America final:
"I hope to be with him (Messi (Messi)" ) Play every game together, I will become a better player, I am willing to give him my life, I am willing to die for him."
In this World Cup in Cada, Martinez also said:
"I will help Messi win the World Cup, I will exhaust everything, I can give him my life."
And Martinez defended Argentina's PK battle against the Netherlands, and was extremely tired. When other players rushed to Lautaro who scored the winning goal, only Messi was the first to come to Martinez, kneeled down, and spoke to him with his head. This scene also showed the captain Messi's warmth for the Argentine players.
In this Argentina lineup, there are 3 Martinez in total. In addition to goalkeepers Martinez and Lautaro, there is also a defender named Lisandro. Lisandro Martínez, who also defeated the Netherlands, told the media:
"We are waiting for the other two games, and hope we can give Messi the World Cup championship... As teammates, you will give everything to him."
Argentina, which has injected a lot of new blood, is different from the past. The players are younger and centered on Messi, showing a strong centripetal force. Philipp Lahm, the former captain of the German team who defeated Argentina in the 2014 final Lahm is optimistic about Argentina in the "Guardian" column. He said that the Argentina team has an exciting division of labor: in 2014, Messi's teammates seemed to be waiting for Messi to solve the problem alone; by 2022, Messi's teammates will play for him, and Messi will wait for the best time.
Today's Argentina team holds the ambition to win the championship and marches forward bravely in the World Cup. This is Messi's last challenge for the Hercules Cup, and the Argentine players around him are also united with him. The players believe in Messi, just like Messi believes in the Pampas Eagle. After winning the 2021 Copa America, an ecstatic Messi told his teammates that they are the future of the national team. As Messi's career comes to an end, the Argentine players who have performed brilliantly on the court will not only leave the most unforgettable memories on the court with their hero, but I believe they will also continue to shine in the blue and white jersey in the future.
