There are many friendlies being played at the moment – during FIFA’s window, but the one between Argentina and Benin, played very early Bangladesh time (5 am), will captivate football lovers across the globe for a special reason. This is to be the last match of Argentine talisman, Lionel Messi, in the national colours.
The fact that Messi will not be in the national side will take some time to sink in and, by the time football enthusiasts realise he is no longer there, a prolonged sinking feeling may follow.
Football, at least on the international stage, will never be the same again. But fairy tales also come to an end, whether we like it or not. Without Messi, World Cup frenzy will lose much of its lustre, Argentina sans their long-time messiah.
For millions of Bangladeshis, especially women football fans who ardently follow the game chiefly because of their admiration for the Argentine star, memories of the Bangladesh visit by the Albiceleste in 2011 will become even more poignant.
Argentina has been playing some friendlies of late with the recent drubbing of the Burkina Faso side fresh in mind. The next friendly against Benin will also be the first encounter between the two sides.
Argentina will be a formidable side but..
While we accept the fact that Messi is 39 and has to leave while still on top, the role he played in taking Argentina to the final of the last World Cup is a testament to his prowess. In short, he had been pivotal in all the World Cup matches, giving credence to the oft used idiom: the last flicker of a lamp is the brightest!
As fans of Argentina and having seen Mario Kempes, Maradona and Messi, the three M’s that define the Albiceleste, this much I can say, the team will still be a powerful side but without that extra flair. With Mario Kempes and Maradona, Argentina won two World Cups, in 1978 and 1986, but following their retirement, lost the extra edge.
Don’t get me wrong here – Argentina still carried enough firepower and featured top stars, but somehow, at the biggest stage, they just couldn’t stand out.
At the top of the head, Veron, Crespo, Ayala, Tevez come to mind; all of them played their part in thrilling fans and scoring, but for Argentina, someone extraordinary has always been the key factor in making the team champions of the world.
Messi will still be playing but not in the blue and white shirt, which, I am sure, will be a massive relief for their opponent. At this moment, the biggest question: who will don the number ten jersey for the team?
No doubt, a player given the ‘coveted’ number will be under a lot of pressure because he will have to meet expectations of the fans. But then, that number ten may just be carrying the spirit of Messi as it had carried the zest of Maradona when he retired.
For Benin, taking the field against Argentina will be memorable as the players will get a chance to be part of the alchemist’s farewell.
Going back to the World Cup, both Argentina and Messi were sublime, only losing their tempo in the final. As the team progressed, they gave so much to their supporters, coming back from the mouth of defeat to seal sensational victories. For some inexplicable reason, the end was an anticlimax.
Not going into conspiracy theories but the Albiceleste seemed under some evil spell in the final.
As Lionel Messi takes the field for the national side for what we believe is the last time, let’s wipe out the image of a dejected number ten after the World Cup final.
In our hearts, let this picture remain forever: Messi in jubilation, Messi is victory!
