| The whole world is looking forward to the mesmeric, | | | | only netted 13 times in 43 games, much lower than a |
| Lionel Messi representing Argentina in the 2010 World | | | | player of his ability should be. |
| Cup in South Africa. Despite being only 22 years old, | | | | The tendency has been for Argentina to play him in a |
| the 2009 FIFA Player of the Year goes to South | | | | wider role and keeping him there, whereas Barcelona |
| Africa with a reputation similar to that of the now | | | | more or less have given him a free role with a further |
| Argentine Head Coach, Diego Maradona had in 1986 | | | | remit to be forward and in a position to score or to be |
| and the great Pele of Brazil had in 1970. Fans | | | | able to assist a score. A role of course which he |
| everywhere, no matter who they support will want to | | | | relishes, and which was never better highlighted than a |
| see another all time great established in the most | | | | fortnight ago when he scored all four goals which |
| popular sporting event in the world today. | | | | knocked out Arsenal of the Champions League. |
| Messi certainly has all the credentials; he is regarded | | | | With plenty of other talented forwards such as Tevez, |
| by football plaudits everywhere as the best player in | | | | Milito and Higuain at his disposal, Maradona has to be |
| the world. Indeed, Arsene Wenger the Arsenal | | | | careful to create the right balance, something which |
| manager; said of him recently that he is the best player | | | | most plaudits think that he has failed to do so far in his |
| in the world by a long distance and that from a man | | | | tenure as coach. |
| who has a player of the calibre of Cesc Fabregas at | | | | It might be therefore that Messi will not shine this time |
| his team. | | | | around unless the unexpected happens and his |
| Messi has a record at Barcelona that defies belief, | | | | National team get their act together. They struggled |
| particularly for a player so young. The glaring statistic | | | | badly to even get to the World Cup, qualifying only |
| alone of his current goal scoring record of 81 goals in | | | | fourth from the South Americas Group and have been |
| 138 games is enough to tell anyone that this man is a | | | | striving ever since to get their system in order before |
| very special talent with the ability to light up the 2010 | | | | they take on Nigeria in their opening game in South |
| World Cup on his own. It is probably why most | | | | Africa. In fairness to Maradona, he did play Messi up |
| bookmakers make him second favourite to finish the | | | | front in their recent friendly against Germany in Munich, |
| World Cup as top scorer behind David Villa. | | | | where he played really well in a match that they won |
| If he is that good of course, any sceptics should be | | | | by 1-0. However, it remains to be seen just what |
| asking why is he not the favourite? The answer would | | | | unfolds for Argentina in South Africa, one thign is for |
| lay in the fact that Argentina as a football team under | | | | sure though, Messi is capable of the unthinkable and |
| Maradona has been far from convincing. Even before | | | | whilst he is on the pitch, Argentina will have a chance |
| Maradona took over the helm, the national side, which | | | | of winning and Messi may even be capable of guiding |
| is bursting to the seams with natural talent, was | | | | his team to World Cup victory, just as his current |
| struggling and confidence was very low. Messi for | | | | manager did in 1986. |
| instance, despite his goal to game ratio for Barca, has | | | | |