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What's the story?
Former US President Barack Obama gave the example of Lionel Messi and Argentina, while advising that very few people achieve anything on their own.
Obama has claimed that despite Messi's brilliance, Argentina have problems winning the World Cup because they do not play as a team.
In case you didn't know...
Messi enjoyed a stellar campaign yet again, scoring 51 goals in all competitions in 2018/19. the attacker will turn 32 next month but he is showing no signs of slowing down.
With 36 goals in the league, the five time Ballon d'Or winner won his sixth Pichichi award and his sixth European Golden Shoe. He also leads the scoring charts in the Champions League with 12 goals, despite Barcelona's exit from the competition in the semi-finals.
Messi has won numerous accolades with his club Barcelona but he is yet to replicate his success with Argentina. The two-time World champions are yet to win the World Cup after 1986 and ended up as the runners up in the last two Copa America competitions.
The Albiceleste crashed out from the Round of 16 stage in the 2018 World Cup and Messi took a sabbatical after their poor World Cup campaign. The 31-year-old's return to his national team in March was marred with a defeat against Venezuela.
The heart of the matter
Obama, who served as US president from 2009 to 2017, spoke about Lionel Messi and Argentina in his recent interview.
Speaking at the EXMA Conference in Bogota, Obama said:
"Even people that we consider geniuses work with other people in order to develop their style. In Argentina, even though Messi is wonderful, they have problems winning the World Cup."
"My advice to young people is that we have to recognise very few people achieve great things on their own."
What's next?
Argentina will face Nicaragua in a friendly match on June 7 before they participate in the Copa America at Brazil.
The Albiceleste have been drawn in Group B, alongside Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar in the tournament.
