Even out of sorts, Messi could still carry Argentina

After a tricky club season at Barcelona, Lionel Messi's role for Argentina was in some doubt ahead of Brazil. It's still a mystery two games in: Messi has had two quiet matches, but has scored two splendid goals.

Deutsche Welle, 22 June 2014

Being classed as the second-best player on the planet could only count as a failure for one man: four-time World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi. After Messi locked out the award from 2009 through 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo beat the Barcelona man to the grand individual prize in 2013.

Messi has been largely anonymous,
with some key exceptions

By his own meteoric standards, Messi had a "poor" season for Barcelona. He scored a "meager" 41 goals in 46 appearances, or one every 91 minutes. The Argentina captain also made the headlines by pulling up to vomit on a few occasions for Barca in the domestic season.

And frankly, we're yet to see Messi at his best for Argentina in Brazil. The German commentary team calling Argentina's opener sounded almost amused when the number 10 fired a free-kick hopelessly high over the bar in the second half.

"That was Messi's game so far in a nutshell" was the verdict, as fans returned the ball from Row Z.

A moment of magic

And then the man nicknamed "the atomic flea" in Catalonia went nuclear, just for a few seconds.

Messi picked the ball up in midfield, linked with a fellow forward in a neat one-two, sprinted across Bosnia's back line, sidestepped a tackle, and curled an unstoppable shot in off the post. This Messi magic put an otherwise lackluster Argentina two goals ahead - a cushion they would ultimately need as substitute Vedad Ibisevic scored a late consolation. Off form, Messi still won the game for Argentina.

Another subdued performance against a resolute Iran was accompanied by exactly the same treatment from Messi. In stoppage time, after Carlos Queiroz's men had given a robust defensive effort against the heavy Latin American favorites, Messi won Argentina the game.

All 11 Iranians were behind the ball, seeking to cling onto the possibility of a 0-0 draw. Yet, Messi made just enough space for himself on the edge of the box to unleash another left-footer that curled beyond the reach of the keeper.

Make room for the left-footer, curl it beyond the keeper: Messi's tried
and tested recipe

Lionel Messi was not the stand-out performer of the day in the way that Karim Benzema was against the Swiss or Luis Suarez was against England - but yet again he secured his side three points.

Two goals in two "mediocre" appearances, that's precisely the scoring rate Messi offered Barcelona even in this disappointing campaign. It nearly helped his club to Spain's La Liga title, and a goal a game - whatever Messi's form - could take Argentina all the way to the final in Rio.

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