Argentina won the “Finalissima” against Italy, led by a strong Lionel Messi – who seems to have flipped a switch.
“If you don’t bounce, you’re English,” resounded through Wembley Stadium, which the Argentines had clearly taken over visually and aurally. The Albiceleste’s relationship with England will always be a special one, and one could almost have forgotten that the South American champions were not playing against the “Three Lions” at all, but against Italy. So much for the action in the stands.
What Lionel Scaloni’s team, who has formed a unit out of great individualists, performed on the pitch was at least as impressive – and the 3:0 final score definitely justified. On the one hand, it was against a Squadra Azzurra that was less reminiscent of the European champions of 2021 than of the World Cup spectators of 2022, but on the other hand, it was such a demonstration of power that the international competition should definitely be concerned.
Jubilation at every contact with the ball
A very energetic and enthusiastic Argentinean team whirled through 90 minutes, led by the attack of Angel di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and the soon-to-be 35-year-old Lionel Messi, who set up two goals and was celebrated every time he touched the ball as if he were the Diego Maradona featured on many fans’ banners.
And yet it was Messi who, although he had played well for the national team most of the time in the past, never really reached the same level of excellence for the Albiceleste that he displayed almost weekly for FC Barcelona. For this, the exceptional player was repeatedly criticised at home, and Maradona comparisons were unthinkable.
Since last summer, however, things seem to have changed – in the way he is perceived, but above all in Messi himself. With the exception of the final against Brazil, he already excelled at the Copa America in 2021, while for his new club Paris Saint-Germain he very rarely showed all season what he flashed again on Wednesday night in the Argentina jersey. The national team Messi is suddenly better than the club Messi – a 180-degree turnaround.
The one really big goal
The superstar, who has only known defensive tasks from hearsay for years, was not too shy for a few straddles against the even rough Italians, exuded a body language of unconditional will and a lot of euphoria at the second cup handover in eleven months. There’s no faking it.
“It was beautiful, there were Argentinians everywhere,” the attacker enthused after the clearly won showdown, as his teammates kept throwing him up in jubilation. Messi’s mission as a club player may seem largely complete, but the national player’s seems to have only just begun after many disappointments. With the one very big goal at the Winter World Cup, where all the co-favourites should have the Albiceleste on their minds by now at the latest.
“We’ll take on anyone,” Messi said, making an announcement to that effect. Argentina’s playful announcement was even more impressive.