Football is an 11-man sport, and even with the strongest stars, you need to have a more holistic team. As he grew older, Messi was naturally not as strong as he was then, but he played better and better in the Argentine national team.
Because Messi is not alone, behind him is Scaloni's planning. From the hand-picked promotion of Paul and Lo Celso, the rebuilding of the Argentine midfield, to the promotion of Martinez at both ends, the Argentine offensive and defensive line has been renewed, and Messi's happiness has increased day by day.
01. Eclectic Talent Reduction! Scaloni rebuilt the midfield for Argentina
a. The midfield is different: Messi is different
Although at the 2019 Copa America, the team ended in the top 4. However, Scaloni promoted the midfield combination of Lo Celso and De Paul, which became the basis for Argentina's rise.
He even created a 4-big running man to surround Messi after that, ensuring that there are enough contact points and running momentum around Messi to release Messi's offensive creativity.
As you can see from the chart below, Argentina has a lot of people involved in no-ball running on the offensive end. There is confrontation, there is counter-grab, there is a forward insertion, and all Messi has to do is pass two things.
DePaul can be both a passer and a pick-up point, and Lo Celso plays a part of the role of breakthrough and side organizer in Di Maria's absence.
This goal was Lo Celso's attack on the side. The counter-attack and confrontation between Gonzalez and Thaliafico brought Lo Celso to Messi's cross.
Although Messi's pass was blocked, using Lautaro to interfere with the center-back, Lo Celso and De Paul wrapped up in place from 2 directions, and finally DePaul scored. From the movement of the Argentine midfield, it can be understood why Messi's happiness index is improving.
Let's take a look at this wave of attack, although the first DePaul cross, the middle teammate leaked the ball Messi was a bit too deliberate. But then Messi split the ball to De Paul on the flank, who crossed the assist to Lautaro but came very crisply.
De Paul and Lo Celso also have a characteristic, that is, they both have their own winger attributes and can pull away to the middle at any time. Whether it is the ball sense and technique of playing small balls in the middle of the adduction, or the timely running to the side, they are particularly suitable for Messi's needs.
Since having De Paul and Lo Celso, is it a surprise that Messi is playing more and more comfortable in the game? He needs to thank Scaloni's vision to find the most suitable midfield, and even the club has invested hundreds of millions of dollars, which may not be able to do so.
b. Creative teammates: Everyone can attack
Neither Lo Celso nor De Paul is actually irreplaceable in the current squad (can be replaced, but needs to start first). Because they both have the ability to control and dribble the ball, and the ability to have a small ball, which is not available in other Argentine all-around midfielders.
In the 3–0 win over Uruguay in the World Cup, Lo Celso delivered six crucial passes that brought shots in a single game, created three excellent scoring opportunities and provided two assists to his teammates.
From this wave of offensive and defensive conversions, it can be seen that Lo Celso's pass to Messi this time is very light, but it is so timely.
The fast frequency of foot movements is an important element of the film with Messi. Lo Celso then stepped forward in time to step forward on the left side, but unfortunately this time Messi chose to split the ball on the right. However, the Argentine midfielder's movement habits and choices are very suitable for tactical needs.
At the same time, Lo Celso has a strong ability to launch attacks, this time he went straight to Lautaro on the outside, who got the opportunity to face the goalkeeper.
Argentina is either Messi alone fighting right now, or because there are many people who have the ability to send wonderful passes to the core area.
02. Scaloni's successful contract extension: the most successful coach with Messi in recent years
a. Most capable of using Messi: No one has been able to compare in recent years
Scaloni's use of Messi is very successful, in recent years, with the age of growth, Messi's statistics at the club have declined, but in the Argentine national team, it has ushered in a continuous explosion.
Not only did they win the Copa America and Euro-American Cups doubles, but the goal and assist numbers also skyrocketed.
A very important reason is that the current Argentina team is very dynamic in the midfield, and the teammates can always throw themselves into the crazy counter-attack.
Then once the ball is broken, they can pass to Messi in time (Lo Celso passes Messi), and then Messi can use his personal ability to magnify this advantage (assist Lautaro to break Italy).
In fact, this ball, if it is the peak of Messi, may directly score a goal. However, even if there is a decline, under the appropriate tactical system, Messi is still not something that the opponent can completely limit.
I believe that many fans will have a feeling that many of Messi's goals in the past 1 year are the result of a back-to-ground counter-attack in front of him.
In the match against Estonia, Messi completed a wonderful solo show in front of goal, which was still sourced from the high pressing of his teammates.
Looking at the last goal against Honduras, substitute Enzo Fernández completed a precise grab, and Messi directly picked out the goal without pause, such a goal will give fans the illusion of returning to the top Barca.
b. Team football pinched by the manager: play with Messi's thinking
Argentina are already unbeaten in 35 games, just one step away from Italy's record of 37.
The key point is that Scaloni creates a team football, with Messi as the core, and the tactical thinking of the whole team is extremely unified.
In the last match against Honduras, Messi sent two overhead goals to the left from the start. One scoring opportunity that brought Gomez was not seized, followed by a Gomez assist Lautaro goal.
The team's second goal was still Messi's clever pass to the left, Lo Celso made a penalty, and Messi personally took the penalty.
Of course, Argentine teammates are not only ready to receive Messi over the left side of the ball or straight ball, they can even send Messi a top ball.
De Paul, Lo Celso and even the younger Enzo Fernandez have this passing ability. How long have you not seen Messi fly up and play, and that's the result of the post-00s Argentine midfield.
03. World Cup at the end of the year: Argentina has hidden dangers, but it is still the first favorite to win the championship
Both Argentina and Messi: in good form
From 2019 to the present, the gold content of Argentina has remained undefeated for more than 3 years.
Opponents include Germany, Brazil (3 times), Chile (5 times), Italy and Colombia, Uruguay and other strong teams.
In order to prepare for the World Cup, Messi himself has adjusted his form to an excellent level. So far in the new season, Messi is the first person to create an offensive threat in the five major leagues, even far ahead of the second-place Deulofeu.
It is clear that he is ready for the World Cup at the end of the year. His teammates, also arranged by Scaloni, found their location and prepared to go.
b. Argentina's hidden danger: not too many scoring points, will Alvarez have a surprise?
This Argentina team is the best team in the current state, and if you have to pick a problem, the team does not score much.
Scaloni has been in charge for four years, and the main goal points are Messi and Lautaro two. The 3rd point of scoring Di Maria, although only scored 5 goals, but it is also worth thousands of dollars.
However, in the World Cup knockout rounds, if you rely too much on their 3 goals, I am afraid that there is also a possibility of being defended.
There is a name that can be expected, and that is Alvarez. He is not suitable as a starter, but he can play with Lautaro in the fight time to pair up with the double forward, creating more chaos in front of Messi.
He has the ability to grab points in front of the door, and he also has a strong confrontation sharpness. Perhaps in the key game of the World Cup, he can bring some surprises in a certain round of knockout matches.
Although he is 35 years old, Messi is getting closer and closer to his first World Cup title.
Because this Argentina is a team with strong combat effectiveness, it is ready to win in terms of division of personnel, mentality and tactical preparation.
Conclusion:
After all, it is difficult for a person's football to reach the highest peak, and the team's efforts can be easier to win. The emergence of Scaloni has made Argentina a whole and has given Messi a team that is truly exclusive to him.
All they need is a little more luck, a little more patience, a little less injury, less accidents, and after 20 years, return to the land of Asia and witness the glory of the South American team winning the World Cup.
#热身赛: Messi goals Argentina 3-0 Jamaica ## Argentina renews with manager Scaloni until 2026 ##梅西 #