There is and there will be always a lively debate as to who is the greatest footballer of all time? Mighty Maradona, Sublimely skillful Pele, magical Messi, creative genius Zidane and all round genius Christiano Ronaldo__ all will feature prominently in discussions. Without questioning the superlative talent of black diamond Pele, one must not forget that he was in a team of extraordinarily talented creative individuals Vava, Didi, Garincha, Tostao and Zairzinho while Maradona was one man army in Argentina winning the world cup in 1986.
Messi as worthy successor of Maradona was thought to carry his mantle in crowing Argentina with world cup title. But a bit frustrating for Argentina fans true that despite the towering talent of Messi, Argentina failed to fulfill its pre-tournament promises over the last world cup. The Brazil version of FIFA World Cup has come with a golden opportunity for one of the finest players of all time Lionel Messi to do a Maradona in winning the cup from the land of bitter opponents. How fitting it would be if that happens against Brazil!
If host Brazil is red hot favorite in their own backyard, their bitter rival strong neighbor Argentina is not lagging behind. In a tournament like world cup predictions may prove anyone fool as pre-tournament favorites in the last few tournaments even failed to advance from group stage.
On the basis of brilliant individual talents, Argentina is a blend of exceptionally gifted players. Coach Alejandro Sabella's team has also received the benefit of the luck of the draw. Grouped with Nigeria, Bosnia and Iran, the giants of South America is expected to move ahead without much trouble. Whether they finish first or second in their group, the same observation applies; Argentina will play the entire tournament without going any higher up the country than Brasilia. All matches of Argentina will be relatively near their own country. More significantly, though, Argentina will never have to play in the heat of the North and North East which is not only uncomfortable, it also has a draining effect on performance. Should they make it through to the final, they should certainly arrive in fresher condition than their opponents.
Are they good enough to take advantage? The recent 0-0 draw away to Romania will have sown doubts in the minds of many who saw it. Perhaps the biggest doubt is how such an open game ended goalless. There was plenty of action in both penalty areas-- and there should be more of the same when Argentina play in the World Cup. Coach Sabella acknowledges that, in a perfect world, this would not be his team. He worships at the altar of Juan Sebastian Veron. If he could clone his players then the Veron of a few years ago would boss a midfield based on calm possession of the ball. Instead, Sabella is a hostage of the characteristics of the players at his disposal. He was thrown in the deep end when he took over, forced to find a rapid answer to a vital question - how to get the best out of Lionel Messi? It took him a while, but from the half-time interval away to Colombia when Sergio Aguero was introduced, the pieces started to fit together. Messi operates behind Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, both usually thrown wide to give the Barcelona genius as much space as possible. To his left, crashing forward from his post in the midfield three is Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria.
But it can also leave the defence exposed, especially down the flanks. There are periods when Argentina can look disjointed, with lots of space between their lines.
For this reason their second most important player in qualification was midfielder Fernando Gago, who so often served as Messi's supply line. Gago's pass and move style helps knit the side together. But he has hit a slump.
If they are to bring their attacking talent into the game, Argentina must have sustained periods of controlled possession. Without it, the defence could let them down. With it, they can go all the way to the final.
The Argentina squad for world cup
The Manchester City defender Martín Demichelis earned a surprise inclusion in Argentina's provisional 30-man World Cup squad. However, there was no place for Carlos Tevez, despite his having just helped Juventus to the Italian league title as the team's top scorer. The centre-back Demichelis, a veteran of the 2010 finals who lost his place in Alejandro Sabella's team after a 1-1 draw at home to Bolivia in November 2011, has enjoyed a sound finish to his first season in England, helping City win the Premier League.
The other surprises on the list were the Catania midfielder Fabián Rinaudo and the right-back Gabriel Mercado of the Argentine title favourites River Plate. Sabella also selected the injured midfielders Fernando Gago, Augusto Fernández and Angel Di María, who hope to be fit in time for Brazil.
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andújar (Catania), Agustín Orión (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernández (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Internazionale), Martín Demichelis (Manchester City), José Basanta (Monterrey), Nicolás Otamendi (Atlético Mineiro), Lisandro López (Getafe), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Éver Banega (Newell's Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter), Augusto Fernández (Celta Vigo), José Sosa (Atlético Madrid), Angel Di María (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodríguez (Newell's Old Boys), Fabián Rinaudo (Catania), Enzo Pérez (Benfica)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli), Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Rodrigo Palacio (Internazionale), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Franco di Santo (Werder Bremen )
Argentina is definitely a heavyweight in world soccer. The two world championship that Argentina won in 1978 in home soil and 1986 in Mexico were exhibition of excellent football – a combination of skill and strength. The 1978 win was marred by some suspicions like a 6-0 win over Peru which had credibility of fairness. But the team definitely had excellent quality and was ably masterminded by Cesar Luis Menotti. The 1986 triumph will always be credited to a special football superstar Diego Armando Maradona. He dominated the entire 1986 tournament in a manner which no other footballer in the past could do before. “El Diego” was given the platform to play his all-round skill as plotted by Coach Carlos Billardo. Present coach Sabella has all the resources at his disposal to emulate the same with Messi. Now the world will have to see whether a genius as he is Messi can live up to that billing__ play a Maradona in World Cup 2014.
BDST: 0902 HRS, MAY 16, 2014
