What obstacles stand between Messi and legacy-sealing World Cup?
There remains one point of contention in the legend of Lionel Messi: the diminutive Argentina icon hasn't won the FIFA World Cup. Some believe Messi is already the greatest player in the history of the sport, but many others look past his numerous achievements with Barcelona and point out that he has not delivered a trophy for his country.
At 30 years old, the 2018 World Cup might be Messi's last chance to win the biggest prize of all. Here's who and what is standing in his way:
The early rounds
Argentina learned Friday it will face Iceland, Croatia, and Nigeria in the group stage. The first major obstacle Jorge Sampaoli will circle is a clash with Croatia, featuring Messi's club teammate Ivan Rakitic. The strong, organised side presents a tough early test. If Argentina can pass it and finish atop Group D, they will then take on the Group C runner-up in the Round of 16. France is the headliner of that group, which also includes Denmark, Australia, and Peru. The last of that trio is the trickiest. Peru twice held Argentina to draws during CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying and would love to play spoiler on Messi's warpath.
Barcelona teammates or Cristiano Ronaldo
The permutations are many, so this path to the quarter-finals isn't set in stone, but there exists a likely possibility that Argentina takes on Spain or Portugal early in the competition. Both matchups will be billed highly, either as an emotional tilt between Messi and his club teammates Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, and Sergio Busquets, or a heavyweight bout with Ronaldo.
Argentina last played Spain in 2010 and Portugal in 2014. Both were friendlies, and Messi hasn't met either team in any of his previous World Cup experiences. If Argentina meets one, it can only meet the other in the final. This would set up the ultimate end to the 2018 World Cup, bringing the decade-long battle between Messi and Ronaldo to an epic climax.
But, again, the permutations are many, and if you're on your way to a final, you're probably going to have to bury a few friends or foes along the way. In 2014, Messi led Argentina all the way to the World Cup final, knocking out the Netherlands and Belgium before losing to Germany in the end. Whether it's France, Brazil, England, Uruguay, or another, the list is too long and diverse to dissect. It would be pointless to do so, anyway. When trophies are on the line, the biggest obstacle comes from within.
Obstacles within Argentina
The biggest challenges Messi needs to overcome to win the World Cup are ones he cannot overcome by himself. It is the form and fate of Argentina, a team that has struggled mightily since losing to Germany in 2014.
Argentina barely qualified for the quadrennial tournament, though the team inexplicably finished in third by the end of the qualifying campaign by beating Ecuador 3-1 in Quito. If the memory of it has already faded, it's worth remembering that Messi scored all three goals in that match, and they were the team's first goals in open play in nearly a year.
La Albiceleste also twice suffered defeat to Chile in the finals of back-to-back Copa America tournaments, making fans even more doubtful of Messi's ability to deliver their first piece of international silverware since 1993. Messi, who missed a penalty in the second Copa America loss, even pondered quitting the team as the Argentine Football Association (AFA) fell apart around him.
Argentina has played just eight matches under Sampaoli, and is still figuring out how to work under the new manager. Messi has been tasked with playing the role of hero time and time again as Argentina cycled through many strikers. It is still unclear what tandem of Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala, Angel Di Maria, and Dario Benedetto will start alongside Messi.
The turnaround time is so short that figuring out a perfect system and style may be an impossible task for Sampaoli, but having a weapon like Messi makes it much easier. If there's one obstacle the Argentina star doesn't need to address, it's his own form. He's got 15 goals in 18 appearances with Barcelona this season, and is as good as ever.
So, while the road to the final may have Messi meeting players like Rakitic, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann, and Neymar, one real test will be how La Albiceleste perform themselves.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)