Messi faces the biggest challenge of his career on his 1,000th game
A goal, an assist, a penalty scored and another missed, Messi is obviously one of the players of this World Cup 2022, but by playing in the last 16 this evening, the No. 10 of the Albiceleste has the opportunity to strike a big blow in order to guide his team to the coveted trophy.
No goals scored in the finals
For many football fans around the world, Messi is the greatest footballer in history and therefore has nothing left to prove. Nevertheless, this World Cup would be the ultimate achievement and although he has shone in this competition in the past, he lacks something very important in the eyes of his detractors: goals in the finals.
In 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018, Messi has never scored a goal beyond the Round of 16, something he can rectify tonight against Australia, an opponent that is far less impressive than Argentina. Messi and his teammates are obviously favourites, so this match could be a chance to build up even more confidence ahead of their journey.
The Albiceleste's No.10 must be able to show off, as he has done since the match against Saudi Arabia, because he will certainly be expected to perform. The pressure will follow him all the way to the end if the Argentinians reach the final. Messi must not miss any more penalties, otherwise he will endanger his team and above all his posterity, because he is perhaps facing the greatest challenge of his career.
The final stretch?
Messi has already won everything... except the World Cup. After failing to reach the final in 2014, the top scorer in his country's history has the chance to make history forever. And he knows it. Since the beginning of the competition, he has been the most anticipated player, a label that has followed him for many years. This will be even more the case if Argentina qualify round after round.
He said it before the start of the World Cup, this 2022 edition will be his last. It is therefore logical that he wants to leave the best possible trace in the history of the competition and thus imitate a certain Diego Maradona, winner in 1986.
From this 1/8th final against Australia, Lionel Messi begins his last stretch with Argentina, the last major game of his career. In his 1,000th match, the Albiceleste captain has the opportunity to strike a blow and make his team one of the favourites for final victory. It was a great opportunity for the Albiceleste to prove their superiority in the same way as they did against Poland, with Messi leading the way, but the hype has died down since their opening defeat by Saudi Arabia.
