For many, it will take more than reaching a World Cup semi-final for Lionel Messi to be permanently installed in the pantheon of legends which Diego Maradona and Pele occupy.
To be considered truly one of the greatest, delivering on the grandest stage of all must be achieved just like those two so memorably did.
Remember, people before this tournament began were doubting if the Barcelona superstar will ever step up when wearing the famous white and blue in the World Cup and follow in Maradona’s footsteps by lifting this famous trophy.
After all, the best are judged at the greatest show on earth. Four years ago, Messi didn’t deliver.
Now though, with four goals to his name and a series of superb displays in the locker including this one in Brasilia, legendary status could be secured. With Neymar sadly missing, a spot to become Brazil 2014’s leading light is there for the maestro to secure.
Yet the initial significance of what his Argentina side accomplished on Saturday with a 1-0 win against Belgium was not lost by this quite mesmeric footballing magician.
A first semi-final appearance since 1990 – they lost quarter-finals in 2010, 2006 and 1998 – was booked thanks to Gonzalo Higuain’a clinical early strike, his first international goal for over a year.
Holland await in Sao Paulo on Wednesday and on this evidence against a Belgium side packed full of talent but let down by apathy, only a fool would be against Messi lighting up the Maracana next Sunday evening.
“For us to be the ones who broke the barrier of the quarter-finals is beautiful, “ said the 27 year-old four-time Player of the Year who drew level with Maradona’s 91 caps for his country here in Brasilia.
Now though comes the hard part. Louis van Gaal’s side have enough quality to hurt anyone.
It’s literally too close to call but Argentina are peaking at just the right time, a campaign which stuttered has now taken flight with impressive team cohesion and a work ethic which allows their leading lights to flourish.
An injury to Angel Di Maria, who had started superbly on Saturday, is a real blow – he is touch-and-go to take on the Dutch – but as long as the likes of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia create the space to give Messi license to dazzle, that third World Cup triumph could well be on the cards.
Messi added: “We went over the barrier. We’ve already succeeded in getting ourselves in the four best teams and we want more.
“We’ve achieved our first objective which was to get to the semi-finals and now we want more.
“They didn’t create any chances. They ended up with long balls to their tall players, but our centre-halves were giants.
“On Saturday, more than ever, we were a team. We didn’t create much but neither did they. We didn’t suffer because our players at the back had a great day and won everything in the air.
“Beyond the fact that Gonzalo won the Man of the Match award I believe the whole team deserved it for their sacrifice. It was emotional.”
A travelling army of 60,000 have been following Argentina around Brazil and Sao Paulo will be a sea of blue and white on Wednesday with a place in next Sunday’s final – and history for Messi – now within touching distance.
