The Qatar 2022 World Cup produced some great individual performances. Players such as Ounahi, Modríc and Mbappé have shone throughout the tournament both individually and collectively. However, if there has been one player who has really stood out throughout the World Cup, it has to be Lionel Messi.
The Argentinian had a spectacular tournament. The No10 was the focal point of Scaloni’s side’s attack, leading the Albiceleste through the midfield.
La Pulga was responsible for dropping deeper when his team’s build-up lacked fluidity, finding pockets between the lines to fix opponents and create advantageous situations for teammates. As well as that, he was chief creator and scorer for his country, scoring some significant goals that will go down in history in Argentina.
Messi once again became a player capable of turning a match on its head through his mere presence, becoming the differential factor that enables him to win the game for the Albiceleste through his individual quality. He was able to influence the group through his association and was the key player during the most important parts of games, becoming a valuable piece in attracting the opposition to enable the team to attack through the opposite wing. An infinity of qualities united in a single element.
A clear reflection of the impact he had during the tournament was his brilliant performance during the final. The Argentinian had the ability to adapt to the game plan that his coach designed and still make a difference.
Starting from a midway position between the forwards and the midfield, the team’s captain conditioned the opposition’s defensive structure by pulling opposing players towards him, thus managing to generate spatial advantageous situations for his teammates.
Moreover, the Argentine star was always a solution for his teammates. Regardless of the moment of attacking play in which his team found themselves in, Messi was always ready to receive the ball and then carry out a subsequent action with enough time and space.
As a result, all his teammates benefited. However, one of the main beneficiaries of the No.10’s role during the final was Angel Di Maria. The winger managed to receive on many occasions in situations of spatial advantage versus his opponent thanks to the role of his teammate. Likewise, the Argentinian star was also in charge of feeding balls to his teammate so that he could face his direct opponent and make the difference, these situations being one of the main tactical key points of the final.
Another of Lionel Messi’s great performances during the tournament came against Croatia in the semi-finals. That day, the Argentine reminded us again of the FC Barcelona winger of 10 years ago. That player who was able to get past opposing players one after the other until he found himself alone in front of the opposition goalkeeper.
The scene against Joško Gvadiol prior to the assist to Julián Álvarez will be remembered in the archives of football history. During the action, the player showed us all the resources that a winger should have – skill with the ball, proficient use of both feet, use of the body to manipulate defenders, power in accelerations and decelerations, peripheral vision, and a host of qualities far beyond the reach of many players.
Conclusion
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini has once again amazed us with his majestic performance during the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The triumph with the Albiceleste has allowed him to win the most prestigious trophy in international football, thus becoming without any doubt the best player in the history of football.
