THREE REASONS WHY LIONEL MESSI ‘UNDERPERFORMS’ FOR THE ALBICELESTE

 The current world best player has been impressive for his club side FC Barcelona over the past few years but his work-rate, goals, influence and ability when he dons his shirt for the Albiceleste is woefully inadequate. Bookmakers tipped the little Argentine to grab the topscorer award at the Copa but he turned out as a top non-scorer (top player who did not score). He was involved in three of the five goals Argentina scored at the Copa and was named man of the match in a low profile game against a lame Costa Rica side. I take a look at why Lionel Messi cannot replicate his club form for his country….



1. TEAM TACTICS: I will use the 2011 Copa America as a case study here. Argentina’s disappointing run during the Copa America went a long way to reveal a lot of things. Lionel Messi was toothless in that first game against Bolivia and lot of criticisms should be leveled at manager, Sergio Batista. The tactician played a 4-3-3 formation (reportedly to suit Messi) with three defensive minded midfielders in Ever Banenga, Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Mascherano and a striking triumvirate consisting of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi. Here, there was no creativity in the middle of the park and so Messi had to drop deep to claim the ball so as to create an attacking move. At Barca, it is not so. Supporting cast, Iniesta and Xavi are responsible for creating the attack and Messi finishes them off with relish. This only means one thing…that Messi cannot perform in a team bereft of a Xavi or Iniesta prototype…this also shows that Xavi and Iniesta should be given more recognition. The answer to this problem was quite easy. One of the three defensive midfielders, (probably Cambiasso) should have been dropped for a more creative player (Javier Pastore). Some pundits argue that the telepathy between Messi and his team mates is the reason why he does not perform but I am glad to reveal it is just a fallacy. Messi has played with most of his current team mates at different levels (youth levels). For example, in the 2008 Summer Olympics in which Argentina claimed Gold (this same Sergio Batista was the manager), Messi played alongside players like Ezequiel Garay, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando Gago, Ever Banga, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Romero. At the under 20 World Cup in which Argentina again won and Messi himself voted the Best Player and topscorer of the tourney, he played alongside Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Fernando Gago. Therefore, that Chemistry with majority of his team mates is already there but the results desired is not forth coming due to bad team tactics. Argentina should play as Argentina, not try to alter their system to suit Messi.



2. THE TAG OF NEXT MARADONA: I don’t know if anyone else has realized this parallelism that exists between Maradona and Messi. First of all, Maradona won the U-20 World Cup with Argentina in 1979. He was voted the best player. Lionel Messi also won the U-20 World Cup with Argentina in 2005 where he was also voted best player and topscorer. Secondly, Maradona played for Newell’s Old Boys (1993-1994) and FC Barcelona (1982-1984). Lionel Messi’s youth career kick started at Newell’s Old Boys (1995-2000) whilst he’s currently ruling the world of football as he sits on his Barcelona throne in Catalunya. Penultimately, Diego Maradona made his full international debut for Argentina against Hungary in 1977 at the age of just 16 years. Lionel Messi also debuted for Argentina against Hungary albeit it ended in cataclycsm as Messi was sent off just two minutes after he was brought on as a substitute. Lastly, Messi has replicated some of Maradona’s flamboyant and infamous goals. I’ll give two examples. Maradona scored with his hand against England in a crunch quarter final game in the 1986 World Cup. Again in that same game against England, Maradona scored the greatest goal in the history of the World Cup when he took the ball from his own half and mazed through five English players before making goalkeeper Peter Shilton look ordinary and then slotted the ball home. Messi has replicated these two goals. In the 2006/2007 La Liga season, Messi replicated Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ goal against local rivals, Espanyol. In that same season against Getafe he scored another Maradona-esque goal. Messi claimed the ball from his own half and jinked through five Getafe outfield players. The goalkeeper was also not spared as Messi went past him before cooly finishing. Sid Lowe of the Daily Telegraph (London) was quoted as saying “He ran about the same distance, 62 metres (203 ft), beat the same number of players (six, including the goalkeeper), scored from a very similar position, and ran towards the corner flag just as Maradona did in Mexico 21 years before”. Obviously, Diego Maradona had similar playing style as Lionel Messi. Both of them are quite short (in fact, Messi is just 0.04 m taller than Maradona) and their physique is such that, they both have a low centre of gravity meaning they are less likely to fall down when impeded and they both play almost the same position BUT the only difference is that Diego Maradona has done something worthy of note for his country; winning the world cup whilst Messi has not. This has heightened the pressure on Lionel Messi to perform for his country. I’ve been of the opinion that the 2014 World Cup belongs to Brazil and so the only realistic chance Messi has of winning the World Cup will be in 2018. By then, the Barcelona maestro would be approaching 31 years of age…he might have lost some of his quality by then but if he does not win the World Cup in 2018, then it should be adios for Lionel Messi’s international career and then we can safely say he has failed as an international.



3. MORE OF A CATALAN THAN AN ARGENTINE: Not entirely his fault but Messi has spent the best part of his life in Spain. Lionel Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the tender age of just eleven years. FC Barcelona opted to take care of his medical bills...some years later the Barca ace has opted to take care of opposition defenders on the pitch. Lionel Messi rarely sings the national anthem and the fact that he’s the only member of the Argentine national team who never played in the Argentine league means that he’s not a fan favourite. Carlos Tevez is the poster boy of the national team…a fan’s favourite and even if he has a bad day on the pitch, the fans urge him on whilst they hurl insults and insinuations at the Barca kid even when he’s giving his all for the team. These criticisims have got to Messi as he recently made it point blank that nothing (criticisms) was going to stop him from playing for the national team. The Argentine FA President, Julio Grondona indicated that Lionel Messi would not play for the national team again if the criticisms from the press and fans persisted. We all know that tension between a player and his fans does not normally auger well for the player and that’s another reason why Lionel Messi is seemingly not performing for his national side.

             Lionel Messi is the best footballer on earth, no doubt but he needs to prove it with his national team. All the greatest players we can think of have proved their worth with their national teams; Diego Maradona, world Pele, Franz Beckenbaeur, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo de Lima, Fabio Cannavarro, Ronaldinho et al. Football purists are concerned about his erratic form for his country and the credibility of the FIFA Ballon d’or committee is at stake because their star man can only perform for his club, Barca. The Copa America is over but fortunately, Messi’s international career is not over. He may go down as the greatest player in the history of FC Barcelona but not the greatest player in world football if he does not succeed with Argentina….



I leave you with how goal.com rated Lionel Messi in each of his games at the Copa America.



Messi against Bolivia

“Had a few magical runs and solid through balls but looked nothing like the Barcelona version. Rarely tested the Bolivia goalkeeper”

Messi against Colombia



“Created Argentina’s best chance of the game when he released Lavezzi in an excellent position in the 33rd minute. Tried hard to drive his team to victory but looked a bit intimidated by the Colombians passionate play. Spent most of the time shaking his head, instead of using it.”



Messi against Costa Rica

“Tonight witnessed the reappearances of the mesmeric Messi who terrorizes defences in Barca colours. Provided assists for Aguero and di Maria with delightful passes. Also presented Higuain with a hatful of chances, but the Real Madrid forward failed to take them.”



Messi against Uruguay

“Had a few fantastic 25 min spell in the first 45 in which he was untouchable. Curled over a stunning cross for Higuain to head home and restore parity. Repeated the trick with a freekick, but Higuain’s goal was ruled out for offside. Not quite as mesmerizing in the second half and extra time.”



My own quote: “Nobody remembers that Maradona won the U-20 World Cup but everyone remembers he won the senior World Cup in 1986. Lionel Messi may have won the 2005 U-20 World Cup but he needs to win the senior World Cup to engrave his name in the history books of football.”

I want your take on this issue. Why do you think Lionel Messi ‘underperforms’ for his country?

 By Emmanuel Ampiah (ampiahee@yahoo.com)

THE TACTICAL TWEAKS IF JOSE MOURINHO SWITCHES TO A 4-3-3 FORMATION

Just yesterday, I was told that Jose Mourinho may switch to a 4-3-3 formation. Well, honestly I don’t really know what the former Inter tactician has in mind but a Barcelona-esque style of play may just not be out of the question. The arrival of new players may have prompted the Special One to change his tactics. Whilst his second season in almost every club he has managed has been better than his first spell, Real Madrid fans should brace themselves for a rollercoaster season whilst FC Barcelona and Europe should be keeping a close eye on the development at the capital club and this suspicious switch to 4-3-3.

                As I indicated earlier, the arrivals of new players; Nuri Sahin, Jose Callejon, Hamit Altintop and inevetibaly, Fabio Coentrao and Neymar may have urged Mourinho to have a change in plan. Mourinho is not new to the 4-3-3 formation to start with. During his Chelsea days, a 4-3-3 formation which quickly metarmophosed to a 4-5-1 formation when the team was defending was very much evident. The Portuguese manager started out with a 4-2-3-1 formation at Madrid but in his last few games against Barcelona, a rather defensive 4-3-3 formation was utilized. In fact, Mourinho and Madrid used the 4-2-3-1 on 44 different occasions whilst the 4-3-3 was used in 10 games. In other games, notably the 6-3 mauling of Valencia at the Mestalla in La Liga last season, the attacking intent in a 4-3-3 formation was picturesquely painted. Estaban Granero and Lassana Diarra were the ‘hardmen’ in midfield whilst Sergio Canales was tasked to create chances for the front three; Kaka (2 goals), Benzema (1 goal) and Higuain (3 goals). So, I’ll proceed to discuss which players may play in which position…

                Iker Casillas is set to retain his position in goal for the umpteenth time as the Spain and club captain practically has no challenger. The back four may see some changes with respect to the arrival of Benfica superstar, Fabio Coentrao. Jose Mourinho is largely known for utilizing his countrymen, bringing out the best in them, well, apart from Ricardo Quaresma. The 23 year old Fabio Coentrao may slot seamlessly into that left-back position but that means Marcelo will be forced to watch proceedings from the bench. Coentrao is a typical wing-back whilst Marcelo is naturally a winger. None of them is a left-back by trade as they love to join the attack. Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho look set to continue and strengthen the partnership forged last season in central defence. Sergio Ramos was out of form last season and his erratic form and dangerous play culminated in 17 yellow cards and 1 straight red card. I’m looking at a situation where Coentrao may be shifted to right back so that Marcelo maintains that left-back spot albeit this may not really happen.

                The problems start in midfield. First, Xabi Alonso is set to maintain his position as a defensive midfielder in the centre of the park. Nuri Sahin is favourite in that left central midfield role. Sahin is a left-footed player who can defend as well as attack. He’ll be preferred to Sami Khedira because Sahin can do whatever Khedira can do and even more. The German has not scored since he joined the Blancos as he’s more comfortable sitting back to read the game but Sahin is more of a defensive playmaker. He scored 6 goals and assisted 8 more from a deep central position for Borussia Dortmund last season. Sahin will also wrestle with Cristiano Ronaldo for “King of Freekick” accolade as taking set-pieces is one of his specialities. That leaves just one spot in right midfield which may be completed by either Mesut Ozil or Angel di Maria. Ozil assisted 25 goals in all competitions last season but his stamina is nothing to write home about and he doesn’t seem interested in defending. Di Mari assisted 20 goals last season whilst his ability to track back to defend means Mourinho will prefer him to the cigarette-smoking Ozil. Again, Coentrao may be shifted into midfield meaning Sahin may move to the right whilst di Maria will have to sit out.

                The attack will look an interesting one especially if Neymar were to join Los Merengues. Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely feature on the left hand side of attack meaning either Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain will play as a striker whilst Neymar completes the attacking triumvirate (attack from the right) if only he arrives. Ozil can also attack from the right. Another interesting instance I was observing was playing di Maria and Fabio Coentrao on the left hand side (the former as a left-winger and the latter as a left-back). And with Ronaldo on that left hand side of attack, Real Madrid will look very fearsome down the left hand channel.The trivia here is that di Maria and Fabio Coentrao terrorized right-backs and right wingers during their days at Benfica in Portugal and Mou can dwell on that to play both of them on the left.

In all this, some key names are conspicuously missing; Fernando Gago, Jose Callejon, Hamit Altintopp, Kaka and Lansanna Diarra. The above-listed players will definitely warm the bench with Altintopp the most probable of the quintet to see more playing time.For Fernando Gago and and Lass, I don’t have any hope for them as there are so many quality defensive midfielders at Madrid. Altintopp was a top class defensive midfielder during his days with Schalke 04 in Germany. His rise to stardom waned when he joined Bayern Munich around 2007.  On a brighter note, the Turk is an all-round midfielder as he can play in any postion across midfield. Jose Callejon was a youth player at Real Madrid before he was ousted in 2008 but Espanyol has developed him into a relatively matured winger. Very good down the flanks and also tracks back to help out in defence. But as I said earlier, these players will mainly serve as back-up. Real Madrid will be the only club in the world with such strength in depth if they manage to keep all their players and also, all their transfer targets arrive. Ultimately, my dream starting eleven for Real Madrid should look like this….

                                        CASILLAS

RAMOS           PEPE       CARVALHO            COENTRAO

                   DI MARIA           ALONSO           SAHIN

                       OZIL         HIGUAIN        RONALDO

Finally, I will say that Real Madrid is bringing on all these players and making tactical changes just to make them better than a certain FC Barcelona. Madrid only has Barca to beat and no other team. A victory against the Catalans in the upcoming Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup) in August will serve as the right tonic for a smooth journey through the 2011/2012 La Liga season which may just see Real Madrid as La Liga Champions and also clinch the ever elusive 10^th UEFA Champions League trophy. Hala Madrid!!!

By Emmanuel Ampiah (ampiahee@yahoo.com)

LIONEL MESSI HAS TO WIN THE WORLD CUP TO BECOME GREATEST FOOTBALLER OF ALL TIME

The meteoric rise of Argentine international, Lionel Andres Messi has led a lot of soccer fans to conclude that he’s the greatest player of all time. Lionel Messi has won everything there is to win, in terms of club football at the age of just 23 years but for Lionel Messi to permanently engrave his name in the history of football, he has to win the World Cup with Argentina.In the era of Pele and Maradona, playing good football at a good club was a prerequisite to becoming a great football but winning the World Cup was the ultimate…and so is today!

Pele was known for his dribbling, powerful shot and occasional wonderful free kicks. ‘The King’ may not have played football in Europe as he rejected the offer Spanish giants, Real Madrid, made in 1962 but he certainly achieved a lot with his football club, Santos. Edison Arantes do Nascimento made his debut for Santos at the age of 16 years and was topscorer in the Campeonato Paulista (Brazilian league) for nine consecutive years (1957-1965). With his club side, Pele won 2 Copa Libertadores (the South American edition of the Champions League), 10 Campeonato Paulista titles (Brazilian league titles) amongst others. Most importantly, Pele won the World Cup not once, twice but thrice even playing a leading role at his first World Cup in 1958 at the age of just 17 years. Pele actually gained world wide recognition when he won the World Cup. In all, Pele scored 1087 goals in 1120 appearances including a record 77 goals in 92 appearances for the Selecao (Brazilian national team).

 Diego Maradona is the other player who rivals Pele for title of THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME. Diego Armando Maradona was first noticed when he won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1979 with Argentina. He was crowned the best player of that tournament. After 6 successful seasons with Argentinos Juniors and Boca Juniors in his native Argentina, ‘El Diego’ joined Spanish club, FC Barcelona for 5 million pounds in 1982. His time at Barcelona was a potpourri of success, niggling injuries and indiscipline as he was quickly thrown out of Iberia and into the Italian peninsula. In the Serie A, Maradona led Napoli to two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990 which was sandwiched by two second place finishes. Diego was even top scorer in the 1987/1988 season with 15 goals to his name. During his time in Italy, the little Argentine powered Napoli to the UEFA Cup, Italian Super Cup and the Coppa Italia as well. In all this, his best moments came at the World Cup. Maradona participated in four consecutive World Cup events. His talismanic nature was brought to the fore in 1986 where he, as it were, single handedly propelled Argentina to the final, ultimately winning the World Cup, as a captain. Maradona and his Argentine side were in the final again four years later but narrowly lost in controversial manner to West Germany whilst his ill-fated 1994 World Cup campaign brought to an abrupt end his sweet romance with international football. In all 34 goals in 91 appearances is what Maradona managed for the Argentine national team whilst he hit a total haul of 311 goals in 589 games in all competitions.

Modern great players include Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Ronaldo de Lima, Cafu, Alessandro Nesta, Claude Makelele, Paolo Maldini, David Bechamp and a host of others. In modern football, three trophies are quintessential if a player wants to be revered as the greatest player of all time: The Champions League trophy, The World Cup Trophy and Domestic League trophy in a reputable league! Many of these modern great players have won two of these three major trophies…only a selected a few have won all three trophies…Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Cafu and Roberto Carlos readily comes to mind. By now, Arsenal fans now know why Thierry Henry left the shores of England to win the Champions League with FC Barcelona in Spain. He wanted to secure his name as a candidate for ‘GREATEST FOOTBALLER ‘. Ronaldo de Lima never won the UEFA Champions League title though a quick glance at the clubs he featured for in his illustrious career reveals European powerhouses like FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Does this mean that he cannot be considered as a great player? This is an emphatic NO!! His exploits in the World Cup has cemented his name in football folklore! Having won two World Cup titles (1994 and 1998) and holding the enviable record of 15 World Cup goals is enough evidence to regard him as one of the greatest players of all time. Zinedine Zidane has won it all; The UEFA Champions League (2001/2002), World Cup (1998) and Domestic League titles (with Juventus and Real Madrid).

What does this mean for Lionel Messi? Messi has won everything in club football including an unprecedented sextuple in 2009. The Barca ace needs to lift the World Cup with Argentina sooner or later. Messi played a bit part in the 2006 World Cup in Germany but was the star of the team in 2010 where he did not score a goal but was involved in almost all the goals Argentina scored. That World Cup adventure ended in cataclysm when Argentina was walloped 4-0 by the German machines in the quarter-finals. The forward can appear in three more World Cups; 2014, 2018 and 2022.The Brazilians are favourites to win the World Cup in 2014 as they are the hosts. Messi will be 27 years old and at his peak by then. By 2022 World Cup, the current best player in the world will be 35 years old and may certainly be ready to hang his boots. Messi has to act fast in either the 2014 or 2018 World Cup! (The latter looks more probable). The Lilliputian might have won everything there is in football but winning the World Cup with Argentina will seal the endorsement made by all and sundry that LIONEL MESSI IS THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME.

 By Emmanuel Ampiah (ampiahee@yahoo.com)