The unpredictable striker was unstoppable in Qatar, leading the Albiceleste to an incredible Middle East worldwide championship with his outstanding play. Messi set the bar high for the whole tournament by scoring goals in all but two of the knockout rounds and maintaining composure during the thrilling penalty shootout against France.Argentina managed to get every ounce of performance from their skipper, even at times requiring him to preserve energy while others ran for him. Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff member Matias Manna, a video analyst, explained to Urbana Play how such was made possible: “I was always so fixated on figuring out what the squad needed him for.

Messi also requires skilled midfielders. Good midfielders surround him in the best squad we’ve seen, which for me was in the World Cup of 2022 or the current one, and that’s one of this team’s secrets.

He went on, “Ferraris that know how to stop and accelerate are Alexis (Mac Allister), Leandro Paredes, Enzo (Fernandez), Rodrigo De Paul, and Gio (Lo Celso).” That attribute, which I believe is essential to our football, is lacking in other players who are more physically built.

Manna said, “We were watching France-Morocco. Messi’s input before a ball was kicked against France helped to put Argentina in a position to win the game. Another long-serving veteran also played a crucial part as he too found the back of the net in normal time. One player in particular, Sofiane Boufal, consistently outperformed the French right back, Julius Kounde. Lio informs me that Angel [Di Maria] must play on that side if he does so there. It was, in my opinion, the most significant choice in Argentine football history.

Messi won the World Cup championship, following in the footsteps of his countryman Diego Maradona, and went on to win his eighth Ballon d’Or. In 2024, he plans to pursue additional significant accolades with MLS team Inter Miami. He is also a candidate for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award for 2023.