For a long time, the accepted narrative was that Lionel Messi cannot emulate his unstoppable form for Barcelona with Argentina. And in some ways that’s true.
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Take for example his goalscoring record at this year’s Copa America. The Argentine magician has scored once – from the penalty spot – in four games.
For the Catalan giants, goals came in perpetual fashion as he hit the mark 43 times in 38 La Liga appearances last term. But dig a little deeper than just the goals column and it’s clear that while Messi is infertile in front of goal, he’s at the height of his powers for Argentina in other areas.
The 28-year-old has been at the centre of all good things for Gerardo Martino’s side. Creating multiple chances, beating multiple defenders and trying his hand at breaking the deadlock.
Only 5 of Messi’s last 15 goals for ARG were created by teammates. The rest: 6 penalties 2 solo 1 free kick 1 rebound pic.twitter.com/T5keumcsrT
— Barca Galaxy (@barcagalaxy) June 29, 2015
It’s the same old story, though. The inadequacies of his teammates have let him down in Chile and he needs help. That could well arrive in the form of Sergio Aguero.
After netting 31 goals in all competitions last season, Aguero has added another two in three games for Los Gauchos. And the Manchester City ace has been doing all he can in training to help Messi regain his prolific form.
“Messi always wants to do better and when he doesn’t score goals he starts saying ‘I did not get lucky’,” Aguero said. “But I tell him ‘the goals will come, you have to be patient’. Leo is always under pressure to score goals but there are 10 other players in the team. Messi always gambles and keeps going and that gives us all confidence. If Leo keeps going then we do too.”
Messi will have the chance to lift that pressure when Argentina take on Paraguay in tonight’s semi-final clash. But defender Pablo Aguilar believes Los Guaranies’ stature in South America has already been raised by their performances.
Under the stewardship of Martino, Paraguay were runners-up in Argentina four years ago – losing 3-0 in the final to Uruguay – but failed to build on that and missed out on a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Aguilar said regardless of the result they have helped rebuild the previously ailing reputation of their national game.
“I think that this group has put the name of Paraguay up high – we are among the best four,” the defender said. “Although many did not believe in us we achieved our objectives, are still alive and will continue this way.”
Diaz’s men eliminated Brazil on penalties in their quarter-final, with Aguilar and Bruno Valdez both picking up yellow cards in the process.
Another booking would rule the centre-back out of their next fixture – potentially the final – but he is not concerned.
“In my case I never think about whether I am a booking away from a suspension. I do not think about the next game, I think about the present,” he added. Paraguay and Argentina met in the group stage of the tournament, the former coming from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw.
Nelson Valdez has called upon his team not to repeat their first-half display, adding: “We do not want to suffer like in the first half against Argentina. We must apply pressure and be organised.”
