After Messi won the World Cup, the media named him the king of the ball, but there are always some voices who question his ability to lead the team, especially from Cristiano Ronaldo's supporters. So, among the top players, who is better at leading the team?
When it comes to Pele, the first thing that comes to mind is his three World Cup titles. However, a closer look reveals that Pele is not the core or captain of every edition. He was more like the lucky man of his time, coinciding with the pinnacle of Brazilian football. Despite the accolades, questions about his leadership skills never ceased.
Maradona's World Cup campaign was controversial. He was indeed the soul of that Argentine team, but the shadow of doping and handball always lingered. Although FIFA chose to turn a blind eye, it remained an unavoidable topic in his career.
Ronaldo's World Cup experience has been equally colourful, but his place in the team always seems a little murky. Neither as a core nor as a captain, he seems to have failed to fully demonstrate his leadership qualities.
Zinedine Zidane, the elegant French midfielder, has been inconsistent despite having a World Cup title in his hands. The glitter of the final could not hide the lackluster of the other matches, which also raised questions about his ability to lead the team.
And Messi, his road to the World Cup can be described as full of twists and turns. As captain and centerpiece, he has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. However, it was under such pressure that he showed an extraordinary ability to lead the team. Under his leadership, a group of young players overcame many difficulties and eventually won the World Cup. Such an achievement is undoubtedly the best proof of his leadership ability.
In terms of the strength of teammates, Messi's Argentina team may not be the strongest, but they have a championship heart. Under the leadership of Messi, they burst out with amazing energy and created their own miracles.
To sum up, Messi's ability to lead the team is undoubtedly top-notch. He proved with his actions that even in the face of difficulties and challenges, as long as there is firm belief and excellent leadership, he can create his own brilliance.