Messi can’t be the leader many expect him to be

KARACHI: When Argentina made their way into this year’s Copa America final, there was this feeling in the air that this finally was going to be the year when La Albiceleste end their 23-year trophy drought. Surely the team which has thrice made it to the finals of two major tournaments within two years was bound to learn something from their defeats.

But the way things unfolded in New Jersey when Chile once again pipped their opponents in strikingly similar fashion as last year’s triumph, it became clear that there is something more deep-rooted than just luck that has so consistently thwarted the Argentines in their pursuit of international glory — the team’s sole reliance on one man; their captain Lionel Messi.

Too many expectations are placed on the 29-year-old’s shoulders and regardless of how unperturbed he tries to act, these expectations certainly have an effect on the five-time Ballon d’Or winners mind.

After all he is human and not the otherworldly character we all like to believe.

Unfortunate: Despite breaking Gabriel Batistuta's goalscoring record for Argentina during the Copa America, Messi was unable to end Argentina's 23-year trophy drought. PHOTO: AFP

The Barcelona superstar shines the brightest when his each and every move is not being scrutinised. At his Catalan club, he is surrounded by exceptional footballers, legendary footballers, who make Messi the player he is.

Without the Xavis and the Andres Iniestas, metaphorical figures rather than literal, in Barcelona, Messi would not be able to reach the heights he has been able to achieve.

Messi needs freedom; he needs that peace of mind of not having every responsibility on his shoulders. And when he does not have the responsibility on his shoulders, he is able to do the impossible.

Paradoxically, when he is not tasked with responsibilities, he becomes the most responsible. But when these duties are forced down his throat, he fails.

Messi’s lifestyle and his personality show that he does not like to be the centre of attention. He likes to carry on with his job, of playing football the way he loves, without the added responsibility of leading, motivating, training and in some cases, mothering his teammates.

At Barcelona he gets that freedom; but with the Argentina national team that is not the case.

Diego Maradona was right when he said that Messi does not have the necessary leadership qualities to lead Argentina to glory. And while his comments may have attracted a lot of ire, they are not entirely incorrect.

Can't take it anymore: Messi announced his retirement from international football following his third final defeat in two years. PHOTO: AFP

As Cesar Luis Menotti, Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning manager puts it, it is the background of the Barcelona superstar that has made comparisons with Maradona’s leadership style completely unjust. "Leo is always motivated," Menotti told Marca. "I've always said that [Messi] grew up in Barcelona, surrounded by the big stars, and doesn't have the DNA of Maradona, who came through a small team of Argentines, with all that this implies.”

While Maradona had been born and raised in the streets of Lanus in Argentina, Messi was brought up in the comforts of La Masia in Barcelona surrounded by the game’s biggest stars. And while that certainly enabled him to take his footballing abilities to unprecedented levels, he certainly wasn’t able to develop the crude nature of leading from the front. For that, he always had others.

With the Argentina national team, a psychological issue from Messi’s teammates, who always look towards their skipper for inspiration, has not only hampered the 29-year-old’s gameplay, but it has also hampered the team’s ability to play their natural game.

Different venue, same story: The Barcelona superstar was left gutted following Chile's 4-2 penalty shootout win over Argentina in a repeat of last year's final. PHOTO: AFP

There is a lot of talent within the Argentina squad which boasts world-class players such as Javier Mascherano, Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marcos Rojo, Ever Banega, Javier Pastore, Paulo Dybala etc. But all these players end up not only delivering sub-par performances but they also don’t seem confident about themselves.

Many writers have recommended that the Barcelona superstar is wilting under the pressure of being Argentina captain and that he would be at his best if someone else leads the team. Looking at the way things have turned out, they cannot be farther from the truth.

While the player himself is exceptional; otherworldly, he certainly is not a great leader. And while it is extremely difficult to process this argument, the nature of Messi’s problem, like the player himself, is different. It’s unique.