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Fans cut a cake during a celebration made by fans and local villagers of Bronnitsy who gather to commemorate Lionel Messi's 31st birthday at a park on June 24, 2018 in Bronnitsy, Russia. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, June 25, 2018 - Lionel Messi celebrated his birthday on Sunday, June 24. Now 31, he (and Argentina) will be facing Nigeria on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, in a match that could define his football future (for better or worse).
The World Cup is the one trophy that has eluded this genius and Russia 2018 could be his last chance at this crowning glory which now hinges on a final group game against familiar foes, Nigeria.
Messi was recently quoted as saying, “It means so much because for Argentina the World Cup is special — and for me too. I’ve always had the dream of watching me raise the World Cup. And then seeing the emotion that goes with it.
“My hair stands on end just thinking about that moment. I would not like to retire from active football without being a world champion with my country.”
Argentina last won the World Cup in 1986. It was their second (after 1978) and Diego Armando Maradona's ‘Hand of God’ remains etched as one of the most memorable moments of the tournament’s history. Messi was born a year later, and since overcoming a growth hormone deficiency, he’s storied football career has seen him being mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Maradona.
But something is missing and age is definitely not on his side. Messi will be 35 during the next World Cup in 2022. Whether he would play in Qatar or not only time will tell. In the present, however, things are not looking good.
Argentina are on the brink of an inglorious exit from Russia, and captain Messi has been ‘missing’ in action; not even a goal scored. The one opportunity he had, he blew it. That penalty could have handed Argentina a confidence boosting victory over Iceland in their opening Group D match of the FIFA World Cup 2018 but Messi’s tame effort was very well saved.
That was probably a sign that having to carry the World Cup hopes of 44 million people was taking its toll. This showed even more as the team lined up for their second match against Croatia. Leo already looked troubled and defeated before he even kicked a ball; rubbing his forehead with his eyes closed. The match ended 3-0 in favour of Croatia.
At club level with Barcelona, Messi has won virtually all there is to win, but not one silverware has he clinched with his country Argentina.
He has scored 64 goals in 126 appearances for Argentina but no trophies on the international stage to make them count. It felt like it was his time when La Albiceleste reached the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but no, it was not. Germany reigned supreme.
Argentina went on to finish as runners up in two Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016. In the 2016 edition, Messi missed his kick in the shootout, retired from international football afterwards before reversing his decision two months later.
He may have ‘single-handedly’ sealed La Albiceleste’s qualification to Russia 2018 and most certainly deserves all the accolades, but at the moment Messi definitely understands that he cannot afford to let his country down.
Nigeria also need Tuesday’s match as much as Argentina in their fight to reach the last 16. But this tension-soaked encounter will have all eyes on one protagonist, Lionel Messi, and the magic he will or will not perform on the day in a bid to rescue his team (and with it, his international career) from World Cup damnation.
Lionel Messi may have expressed his desire to not retire until he wins the World Cup. Well, time is running out and he knows it too.
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