Lionel Messi retiring from international football could be just the boost Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal needed in their quest for a first-ever senior trophy at Euro 2016. It’s no secret that the individual rivalry motivates Ronaldo; indeed fans here in France and all over the world have taunted the three-time Ballon d’Or winner with chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi” in full knowledge that it rankles. Messi departs the Argentina scene without having won a senior title and now Ronaldo knows he has a chance to do something his great adversary never will – lead his nation to glory.
Messi could never replace Diego Maradona in the hearts of Argentines and could only have done one thing to equal him – win the World Cup. Whatever the Champions Leagues, whatever the Ballons d’Or, only the sight of Messi holding aloft the World Cup trophy would have convinced Argentina to give their love to Messi like they had to Maradona. Argentina recognises that Messi is the greatest player in the world - and is proud of that fact – but the feeling persists that he is not truly theirs and - for the national team - his heart was just not in it.
No comments:
Post a Comment