There is hardly anything that Lionel Messi can’t do on the football field. Score from 30 yards out, or dribble past 3-4 defenders to score a goal, he can do it all. It has been no different in the ongoing Copa America Centenario also as Argentina have virtually bossed the tournament and it has been a Messi show all along.
Lionel Messi arrived for the Copa America 2016 injured and burdened by the ongoing tax trial back in Spain. With their talismanic captain not 100% fit physically and mentally, the prospect of another disappointing tournament was very much on the horizon for Argentina.
But instead, the events that have unfolded till date, have been nothing short of magical.
#1 Argentina vs. Chile, 6 June 2016
The rematch of the 2015 Copa America final was a highly anticipated clash. Argentina were starting without their captain against a strong Chile side. The first half of the match was pretty much even, but the second half completely belonged to Argentina, as Angel Di Maria’s brilliance helped them to a 2-1 win.
The night should have belonged to the PSG man, but instead, it belonged to the man who didn’t even step on the field – Lionel Messi. The Levi ‘s Stadium in California reverberated with chants of ‘Messi’ and every time he was shown on the big screen there used to a rapturous round of applause.
Without even kicking the ball he had sent the entire country into frenzy.
#2 Argentina vs. Panama, 10 June 2016
Against Panama, La Albiceleste once again started without their captain and lacked composure despite leading 1-0. Once again the ‘Messi’ chants were on the rise as 60,000 odd people inside the Soldier Stadium in Chicago, cried for his introduction.
Messi was finally introduced to the match in the 65th minute so as to bring some calm to the nervy Argentine proceedings. His introduction was met with a wide round of applause and suddenly there was a sense of anticipation within the crowd that something special was on the cards.
The next 18 minutes that followed were every bit as magical as it was mesmerizing.
Chicago witnessed the diminutive Argentine at his best, as he produced a remarkable 18-minute hat-trick to dismantle Panama and secure a 5-0 win for Argentina. Each of his three goals were a thing of beauty and had every bit of class that one associates with him.
Messi had just started to stamp his class over the tournament and in the United States, his magic had just begun.
#3 Argentina vs. Bolivia, 14 June 2016
With the quarter-final place all but secured the 29-year-old was not risked to start the game. Argentina raced to a 3-0 lead by half-time and it seemed the crowd at Century Link Field, Seattle would be denied the ‘Messi’ show that Chicago had witnessed.
However, they were not to be denied, as the Barcelona superstar was introduced deep into the second half. Soon after coming on, he began to dominate proceedings and although there were no goals scored, his brilliance was there for all to see. A nutmeg which left the Bolivian keeper embarrassed and the crowd mesmerized, was followed by a trademark Messi free-kick which fizzled past the top corner of Bolivian goal. The 29-year-old had entertained just about everyone without putting the ball in the back of the net.
#4 Argentina vs. Venezuela, 18 June 2016
Finally, Lionel Messi started his first game of the tournament and it was the quarter-final of the Copa America 2016. The crowd inside the Gillette Stadium were rooting for him and Argentina‘s result was irrelevant to them. They were just there to witness greatness.
Once more Messi was at the heart of everything, as La Albiceleste cruised past Venezuela winning the tie 4-1. Every attacking Argentine move flowed through him; it seemed he was present everywhere on the field. The match also served as a historical milestone for the little master, as his goal in the 60th minute helped him equal Gabriel Batistuta’s record of most goals for the 14-time Copa America winners.
#5 Argentina vs. USA, 22 June 2016
Messi had mesmerized the people of the US to such an extent that some of them almost forgot that their own country was also part of this tournament, and who would blame them. The semi-final pitted the two nations against each other.
The night belonged to the 29-year-old once more, as he made the USA team dance to his tunes and ended up with a goal and two assists as Argentina recorded a comprehensive 4-0 victory. The highlight of the night, however, was the goal he scored from a 30-yard free-kick which left the US goalkeeper stunned, the crowd enchanted and Messi as the all-time leading goal scorer for Argentina.
The diminutive forward’s magical display has helped Argentina reach the final, and now only 90 minutes separates him from ending the 23-year long trophy drought of La Albiceleste.
It has been Messi‘s tournament so far and a win in the final would be the perfect ending to a truly magical performance from the Argentine.
