Two years after the death of legend Maradona, Argentina braces itself against the premature end at the 2022 World Cup. Hopes once again rest on Lionel Messi.
First the grief and now tragedy or redemption? Argentina with superstar Lionel Messi is facing an emotional showdown in its second World Cup group game against Mexico (Saturday, November 26th, 2022, 8 p.m., live on the first and in the stream). Argentina hopes for a liberation and the chance to reach the round of 16, in the worst case there is a risk of a premature end to the World Cup.
sadness and the “dead” messi
“We have mourned”, center forward Lautaro Martinez looks back on the sensational and bitter 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (November 22nd, 2022). The World Cup favorite has despite his own lead against the world number 51. lost. When asked about his emotions, Messi said right after the game: “Dead. We never expected anything like this.”
Messi in the footsteps of Maradona
Messi, who has just two fewer appearances at World Cups than Maradona (19 vs. 21) and is two goals behind the Argentine legend in World Cup goals, looked straight ahead: “Now it’s time for us to show how strong we really are.”
Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi at the 2010 World Cup.
Two years after Maradona’s death
Football legend Maradona is present at the World Cup in Qatar not only because of the permanent Messi-Maradona comparisons. Argentina’s fateful game against Mexico takes place just one day after the second anniversary of the exceptional footballer’s death. “We hope we can make him happy watching us from the sky”Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said at the pre-match press conference.
commemoration “Under the Star of Number 10”
Also on Friday, a ceremony honoring Maradona was held in Doha. “Under the Star of Number 10” Among others, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Alejandro Dominguez (President of the South American association CONMEBOL) and numerous teammates from Maradona to Mario Kempes and Diego Simeone to Christo Stoichkow commemorated the 1986 world champion, who died at the age of 60.
Messi’s muscle problems
After mourning on Tuesday and commemoration on Friday, Argentina is now threatened with tragedy on Saturday: being eliminated from the preliminary round of the World Cup for the first time since 2002. The fans of the “AlbicelesteTherefore, in the past few days, we have looked at the state of health of the already 35-year-old Messi. Because of muscle problems in the sole of his foot, the 166-time national player also had to see a physiotherapist before training on Friday.
Argentina coach: “After a downpour you have to get up”
At the press conference that followed, Coach Scaloni gave the all-clear: “Messi is fit, physically and mentally. We need him more than ever”said the coach who led Argentina to Copa America victory in 2021 and under whom the South Americans went 36 straight games unbeaten before losing to Saudi Arabia: “If you get knocked down, you have to get up. Our team is trained to get up again.”
“Mexico will be a tough opponent”
Scaloni defiantly countered the criticism of the pomad and inefficient performance against Saudi Arabia with a view to Mexico: “We will not change our style of play.” Attacker Martinez knows about the opponents from Mexico, who scored a point in their opening game against Poland thanks to a saved penalty by goalkeeping legend Guillermo Ochoa: “Mexico will be tough opponents so staying calm will be very important.”
Last Mexico win so far in 2004
The record speaks clearly for Argentina: Most recently, the “Albiceleste” Ten times in a row not against Mexico, the last defeat so far dates back to July 2004. The game will also be for Mexico “a key game”as national coach Gerardo Martino emphasizes: “The future of both teams depends on what happens on Saturday.”
Messi and Mexico coach Martino – not close friends
Particularly explosive: Martino is Argentinian and was the national coach of the South Americans between 2014 and 2016. Messi and Martino have a special bond. Both are from Rosario in northeastern Argentina. Both had a rather difficult relationship with FC Barcelona 2013/2014 and in the national team from 2014 to 2016. A new chapter, very painful for Messi at his last World Cup, could now be added on Saturday.