The conundrum of Messi and Dybala
unable to play together for Argentina.
The legend Messi and the younger superstar
are not playing together for Argentina. Does that mean they cannot successfully
fit together in a team? Of course the two talented stars can be used in any way
possible by Argentina. But it all depends on how mentally the players of
Argentina are prepared and how good and emphatic the coach is, in defining
their roles and getting the best out of them.
The one major difference between
Barcelona and Argentina is how they have utilized the versatility of Messi and
played accordingly. But the even more remarkable part is that Messi has adapted
to many roles at Barca in his career. How come he is stuck somewhere in a
quagmire at Argentina?
At Barca Messi had adapted his game
as per the team’s composition - right from Xavi, Iniesta & Alves to later
with Suarez, Neymar and now with Alba, Coutinho, Paulinho and Dembele. Then
what is stopping him from adapting with Argentina and its so called superstars?
Everything has to do with the mindset and attitude of the team.
Messi is definitely an Argentine by
heart, but he is basically a student of the Barcelona style of play where the
team comes above everything. Its about empowering each one and playing to each
one’s strengths and that is totally opposite to what Argentina represents as a
team.
Argentina are traditionally a
chaotic team dotted with individual brilliance. Players like Kempes, Maradona,
Batistuta, Riquelme and now Messi are expected to carry the team home, in all
situations. While the legendary players are glorified forever, the team as
whole is generally pretty average or below average. That’s why their
achievements are few and far apart.
Unlike the earlier teams, the
present team of Argentina is made up of many so called super stars who are
trying to show that they are better than anyone else including their own
teammates. They are just a bunch of individuals trying to prove their superiority
and in the process bringing the entire team down. But no one blames these great
individuals when they goof up regularly for their national team. Only Leo Messi
is singled out, by the fans and media of Argentina, as the scapegoat, to be
always blamed. With all the pressure on his head, its too much for Messi to
handle.
Dybala seems to be mentally stuck
with the notion that he cannot play along with Leo because they both play in
similar positions. Even Messi has admitted that its difficult for them to gel because they are so similar. Dybala is considered one of the best upcoming players and he
surely has grown with time. But to think that he needs to replace Messi instead
of trying to play with him - just shows the general mentality of the team. If
that was the case the team should have been built around him instead of Leo,
after the last Copa America fiasco.
How they managed without Messi was
for everyone to see in the World Cup Qualifiers. So they scurried back to their
talisman, knowing that they cannot do without him. The present coach Sampaoli
is determined to make it a team compatible to Messi. In that case he should
have worked out a way to bring the two players to play together instead of
agreeing with Dybala and keeping him on the bench.
If Suarez and Neymar have thrived
with Messi why cant Dybala? How did players like Xavi, Iniesta and Messi gel together despite their style being very similar. Its definitely possible depending on the individual's attitude and the inner urge to make it happen, for the sake of the team. With the immense talent and versatility of the two, they can seamlessly
interchange positions. But all we get to hear is the clash of roles and hence
one has to be chosen over the other by the coach. Can Dybala not be the
attacking winger while Messi plays the part of a false nine or vice versa? Can Messi not be
the striker while Dybala be the attacking midfielder? Everything is possible if
they want it. But that’s Argentina. They are stuck in a rut of excuses.
It you have watched the current
Argentina team play, you will realize how hopeless and stupid they are. Most of
them are flapping around aimlessly in the flanks and midfield while Messi is left
alone to stand and watch in shock. It has been a wretched situation for the
past decade and it remains the same even today. The players always put their
own selves above the team and that’s why Dybala is unable to play along with
Messi in the same team. And that’s why I am never a fan of Team Argentina. And that’s
why Messi is the unluckiest player to be playing for Argentina.
For the sake of Leo Messi, I
sincerely hope Argentina proves me wrong.
Image Credits - Google Images
Image Credits - Google Images
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