5 ways in which Messi's absence might benefit Argentina

#3 It would give the team the opportunity to focus on other things

Argentina Official Press Conference - FIFA World Cup Russia 2018

Lionel Messi’s otherworldly performances over the last decade have transfigured him from just a footballer into a global superstar, a celebrity, who is one of the most instantly recognizable faces anywhere on the planet.

His popularity has understandably created extra coverage of him, with interest in Messi moving from just his professional life and cutting across more mundane things such as when he met his wife and the name of his dog.

The national team is not immune from this, as whenever Argentina is preparing for any tournament, all the interest is always on Messi.

A press conference is arranged, and rather than questions about tactics, the coach is asked about how he plans to bring the best out of Lionel Messi. A new Argentine player is performing well at his club, and all attention would be on whether his gameplay is palatable with Messi’s. Players constantly have to reaffirm their belief to the press that Messi is the best player in the world at interviews and that they are all there to help him.

An in-form player (Mauro Icardi) is left off the national team, and Messi’s name is once again brought up as being the reason behind his omission (due to not being on good terms with the said player). National coaches have to constantly deny accusations of bending to Messi’s whims and convince the public that they are in charge and not Messi. Indeed, his influence is so far-reaching that Messi is foremost considered before deciding on a coach to appoint.

Messi is all that seems to be is discussed whenever Argentina is on duty, and after every poor performance by La Albiceleste, rather than seek holistic approaches to figuring out why a talented group of players keep underperforming, the coach is fired for ‘not getting the best out of Messi’, and another is hired with the promise to do same.

The 31-year-old has been the center of attraction through no fault of his for almost a decade in the national team, and his departure could offer the opportunity for Argentina to focus on other aspects of their football which is not Messi, and could end up being the better for it.