warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

As Messi Goes, So Does Argentina

Paolo Uggetti |
June 21, 2014 | 3:24 p.m. PDT

Staff Writer

In the United States, June 21st marks the summer solstice: the longest day of the year. In Brazil, on the other hand, the opposite occurs. The southern hemisphere knows June 21st as the winter solstice: the shortest day of the year.

Messi celebrates his game-winning goal. (@BBCSport/Twitter)
Messi celebrates his game-winning goal. (@BBCSport/Twitter)
Today, one of the shortest players in the game of football once again became the heroic giant he is well-known to be on the pitch.

In a heartbreakingly amazing fashion, Lionel Messi showed up and showed out. Thanks to a late-minute strike that gave Argentina the lead and the face-saving win, “Messi Magic” made yet another thrilling appearance.

A mediocre performance, a disappointing result. That would have been the message that would have dominated headlines and stories, as Argentina could not find the back of the net, while Iran at times looked surprisingly more primed to score. Whether Iran would find a winner or triumphantly settle for a draw, the result would have been an unexpectedly shocking one. A moral victory for Iran, a blemish on Argentina’s resume. 

The blame, as always, would have found Messi, as he seemed to fade while the match progressed. Neither creating chances, nor finishing the few he obtained, both him and the rest of the squad looked out of sorts, perhaps expecting the win to come with ease and Iran to bow out early. 

Bowing out was neither in the Iranis' vocabulary today, nor in their game plan. Heart and hard work pervaded their footballing style and caught the Argentine completely off-guard, leading to a goalless battle for the entirety of the 90 minute match.   

But then, in stoppage time, the magician himself waved his wand and in the blink of an eye broke Iran’s hearts, flipped the headlines completely around, and extended his legend further and wider.

Through two games, there’s no denying that Leo Messi has been the main, if not sole reason for Argentina’s victories. On Sunday, another tough match with the Bosnians required the clutch services of the Argentine. His goal against a confident squad in the 65th minute turned out to be the difference in the 2-1 final.

Today, his opportune difference maker came in the form of a curling shot placed perfectly in the back left corner of the goal; a typical Messi masterpiece that was executed to necessary perfection. Anything less and the goal may have never happened, the win would have never occurred.

Lionel Messi's wondergoal in stoppage time. (@FlyByKnite/Twitter)
Lionel Messi's wondergoal in stoppage time. (@FlyByKnite/Twitter)

Usually, the bearer of the number 10 jersey is the playmaker, the best player on the team or the lead goal-scorer of the team, and sometimes even the captain. Fittingly so, Messi, who wears the famed number 10, is all of those things and more. Most importantly, he is clutch. 

For his club, Lionel Messi always seems to come through when it matters. Scoring in bunches and at will, their success greatly relies on his dominance. Now, with the weight of his team and of a whole nation on his shoulders, Messi is doing the same for his country. Were it not for him, it is probable the expectations of this Argentine national team would be shot, diminished to utter disappointment even at this early point of the tournament. 

The squad, as a whole, has yet to play a successful match. Barring the two Messi miracles, they have been unable to establish an offensive rhythm or a killer instinct for finishing, and the title hopes they had have looked somewhat unrealistic and unreachable. But as long as Argentina has the short giant that is Lionel Messi on the pitch, and with the ball at his feet, there is always hope. Even when the clock has all but expired.

Call him a magician, call him an artist, call him the best football player in the world. Through two games, Argentina has no choice but to call him their savior. 

You can reach Staff Writer Paolo Uggetti here, or follow him on Twitter here



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.

 
ntrandomness