Messi unexpectedly decided to play after injury, the Argentine was shocked, can Mbappe be stopped?
After the news of Messi's injury in the World Cup qualifiers spread, fans thought that he would temporarily withdraw from the Argentine national team to recuperate from his injury. Unexpectedly, Messi suddenly announced that he would go to Bolivia with the Argentine team to participate in an away game. The decision undoubtedly came as a surprise to everyone, with neither coach Scaloni nor the fans expecting Messi to return to action so soon.
The reason why Messi made this seemingly "unexpected" decision is actually a deep reason behind it. As the captain and core of the Argentine national team, Messi is in awe of being able to wear the blue and white jersey to play for his country. Although his body has not fully recovered, he does not want to miss any opportunity to dedicate himself to the national team. This sense of responsibility and mission to the national team was the main driving force behind his "controversial" decision.
In addition, Messi's confidence in his recovery is also an important reason for his decision to play. As a professional footballer, he knows best how his injuries are progressing. Although it is widely believed that he should recuperate, Messi believes he can get back on the field. He is eager to prove that he is fully recovered. This self-confidence also became the driving force behind his "controversial" decision.
Messi's decision has also sparked a lot of doubts. Many fear that his injury will be aggravated by returning too soon, affecting his entire career. After all, as the leader of the Argentine national team, Messi's health is related to the combat effectiveness of the entire team. But Messi has apparently weighed the pros and cons and finally chose to "take a risk".
Messi's "controversial" decision undoubtedly surprised Argentine fans, but at the same time, it also made them look forward to the performance of the Argentine team in the upcoming match. With Messi on the field, the offensive power of the Argentine team will be greatly enhanced.
Whether Messi can really play at the level he should have depends on his recovery from injury. If the injury is not fully healed, it is likely to affect his game and even risk another injury. Coach Scaloni needs to arrange his playing time reasonably according to Messi's specific situation to avoid his early return leading to the recurrence of old injuries.
On the other hand, Argentina will also face a strong opponent in this tournament - French striker Kylian Mbappe. The young star's speed and passing skills have made him one of the toughest strikers to defend in football today. He helped France win the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and will play with the team at the 2022 World Cup.
In the face of an attacking weapon like Mbappe, the Argentine team's defense will be severely tested. Even with Messi in midfield, it will be difficult to completely limit Mbappe's attacking threat. The rest of the Argentine squad needed to work together and defend closely to keep Mbappe out of chances.
The outcome of the game still needs to be dubbed on the pitch by both sides. The comparison of strength on paper does not fully reflect the situation on the field. Maybe Messi can play at a super level and become the key to Argentina's victory, maybe Mbappe will be limited by Argentina's defense and will not be able to use his attacking power to the fullest.
Regardless of the outcome, this game will be a battle of focus. Whether Messi can take this opportunity to prove himself again, and whether Mbappe can continue his excellent form? We can only wait and see the answers to these questions.