Why do Barcelona and Argentina suffer without Lionel Messi despite having other world-class players?

Barcelona and Argentina will be without the services of Lionel Messi at least until the third week of November

There’s an age-old cliche that can still be applied in almost every situation today. One that can certainly be used in relation to both FC Barcelona and the Argentinian national team.

“You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it.”

A large swathe of Albiceleste fans have continued to deride the application and invention of Lionel Messi when on national team duty, and the suggestion that he somehow doesn’t try as hard for his country as he does for Barca remains a talking point. Or it did.

When Messi got injured against Las Palmas a few weeks ago, Barcelona’s and Argentina’s worst fears were realised – that they would have to cope without their star man. And it soon became apparent against Ecuador the reasons why Argentina need their number 10 in situ.

Argentina’s struggles without Messi were clear against Ecuador

Two goals in two minutes from the minnows saw them take all three points from Buenos Aires and send shockwaves through the country. Argentina were impatient for the most part firing off shots and crosses to nobody in particular.

Indeed, not one of their 12 shots found the target. That’s despite having the talents of Sergio Aguero (before a hamstring tear saw him substituted on 20 minutes) Angel Correa (touted as the new Aguero in Spain), Javier Pastore and Angel Di Maria in attacking positions.

There was a feeling of disjointedness and predictability about the whole side and manager Tata Martino was unable to inspire. Much the same as his tenure in Barcelona. 2-0 flattered Ecuador in truth and it really did bring home just how much Messi brings to the side.

Argentina’s problems were further compounded with Sergio Aguero’s injury

Messi oils the wheels. He is much more than a links man of course and to call him the same does him a disservice. But he remains the one player who is decisive in his areas of the pitch. There is fluidity and purpose to Argentina’s forays when Messi is playing. An outlet for the defence and a support mechanism for the attack. The lack of depth in defence was exposed time and again by the pace of Ecuador's wide men and Paraguay, Argentina’s next opponents, will have noted the same with interest.

Had Messi been in the side, we can be assured that his tracking back would have been in evidence. One of the key areas that was exposed to great effect in their loss. It is worth noting that no team in history has ever qualified to a major tournament from the Conmebol group after losing their first game.

WATCH OUT ARGENTINA!!! No country has ever qualified for the World Cup finals after beginning the qualifiers with a loss at home.

— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) October 9, 2015

What Messi offers Barcelona apart from goals and assists

Although Neymar and Luis Suarez do their fair share at the coal face for Barcelona, it is Messi that drops the deepest and likes to forage.

To ignite the spark and admire the flame. He will take the responsibility whilst all around him are shirking theirs to varying degrees. However, in so doing he forgoes any attacking potency simply because he can’t be in two places at once.

Stylistically, both Barca and Argentina need Messi to build their play around. Whether it is a darting run, a dribble to take two, three or even four out of the game, or an arching 50-yard pass to feet, there isn’t anyone in either side with the same capabilities.

Dare we say it. Both sides look ordinary without their extraordinary little maestro. The numbers show his worth in even greater depth too.

8.8 attempted dribbles for Barcelona per game and 12.5 for Argentina. Involvement in a goal – whether scoring, assisting or pre-assisting – every 57 minutes for the Catalans. Perhaps such ridiculous statistics show us how much his own teammates rely on him to do the donkey work.

While Neymar and Luis Suarez provide goals, Messi offers a lot more

After all, against Ecuador, Javier Pastore had to take the role from Messi and looked like a little boy lost. Completely out of his depth in that “quarterback” type role. There was no impetus from that area of the pitch and as a result Argentina were moribund as an attacking force for long periods.

There is at least another four weeks to wait before Messi should be able to return to action. El Clasico is pencilled in as his comeback game towards the end of November. In the meantime, Barcelona have to negotiate a couple of Champions League ties and a handful of La Liga games.

Throughout the game against Rayo Vallecano, despite Barca’s five goals, there were continuous pockets of space that were not being exploited. Exactly the sort of areas where Messi goes diligently about his business. Had Messi been on the field for that game, Barcelona could easily have got to double figures.

Moving forward, Argentina need to scout for a midfielder in the mould of an Ivan Rakitic type player. A mobile and intelligent midfielder who, in the absence of Messi, can be relied upon to produce the kind of game that we have been used to seeing from Messi. A player for whom ball retention and distribution is all.

They will not reach Messi’s level, of course, but Argentina do need a player of similar style that can energise Tata Martino’s side and allow his formation and particular style to flourish.