I am, and I’ll be for the next eight months, in a private crowd: by the body of Lionel Messi.
Physically unstable, the Argentine star has left his participation in the 2026 World Cup, which will be in June and July in North America (US, mainly Mexico and Canada).
In the heart, Messi, who playing a lot of captains Argentina to the three -time world championship in December 2022, at the Qatar Cup, even wants to play the competition, but prefer to wait closer to her for a definition.
Technically, shirt 10 remains superb, and will not lose that capacity. Tactically, he fits the coach’s scheme his namesake, Lionel Scaloni – or better, the scheme fits the Messi. Mentally, for the built trajectory, it is a fortress.
Everything revolves around the physical part. At 38, the eight times elected best in the world, bigger ace so far in this century (sorry, Cristiano Ronaldo, but you stay behind), has bruised, even if not very serious, from a while here.
Last year, in the first half, muscle problem in the right thigh pulled him away from football for three weeks.
Shortly thereafter, in July, in the Copa America final, won by Argentina against Colombia in Miami, left the field in the second half. Ligament injury was found in the ankle, and the period of removal was two months, leaving to act in ten clashes.
This year, the finding, after departing in March by Inter Miami (his current club), was a problem with the right thigh adductor muscle. Another ten days out, losing duels for the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.
Earlier last month, a recovery of new muscle injury in the same thigh, suffered in Inter Miami’s game, lasted two weeks.
Of course, Messi’s body, and it is clear that the greatest fear is the right thigh, has no resistance as yes.
The attacker may consider himself a privileged career as he did not have serious bruises after the only one that can be listed as follows: a fracture of the fifth left foot metatarsal in November 2006 at the beginning of his career in Barcelona. Three months without playing.
“I seek to feel good and, above all, be honest with myself,” said Messi after Argentina 3 x 0 Venezuela, last Thursday, in Buenos Aires. “When I feel good, I enjoy it a lot, but when not, honestly, I don’t have fun, so I prefer to be present. We’ll see. I haven’t made a decision about the World Cup yet.”
We are almost there [na Copa do Mundo de 2026]Then I’m excited and motivated to play. As I always say, I’ll go day after day, guiding myself for what I feel
I repeat that I will be in the crowd. They may ask: Argentina is Archirrival do Brasil, so it’s not good for the Brazilian team that Messi, the star of the opponent company, stay out, not to be victims of it?
It depends on the point of view. More than for the national team, I am for football. Beautiful, well played, of memorable moves. Messi offers all this.
In front of Venezuela, he scored two goals. On the same day, against Chile in Maracanã, Brazil made three. All with the ball almost inside the goal, just the final touch for her to enter. Stephen’s, in a pull, even had plasticity, but anyone who plays football regularly does.
Now Messi’s goals. The second, a “slap” with foot on the ball in the large area, to a pool shot, putting it in the corner, far from the goalkeeper’s reach, caught by surprise with the quick and accurate finish.
The first one deserves to be seen, revised, seen again. He received a pennant pass and, in front of him three Venezuelans plus the goalkeeper, who was advancing diving, gave a dug and covered the four: goal. Masterful.
Messi makes it look easy, trivial, easy, which for most is difficult, painful, impossible even.
Happy is the ball with Messi, happy is the one who has eyes to see Messi’s art. Without Messi, loses the ball, loses the fan of football art.
Without Messi, you will lose the World Cup.
