International Level

This has been the falling grace for Lionel Messi as far as his illustrious career is concerned. Absolutely astounding at club level, Messi’s contribution at the international level has been quite the opposite. He has been known to perform well against weaker opponents but to maintain a rate of NFL jerseys scoring, or even influence, as he does at the club levels is unheard of.
Is it because the national team gets together and plays just a few days in a year or because the coaches cannot get the best out of him? Diego Maradona isn’t the best guy to lead Argentina today however he is completely aware of what it takes to lead a team to victory in some of the biggest tournaments on the planet.
Messi was brilliant at the junior levels of the international game, scoring handsomely and regularly for the Argentine Under-20 and Under-23 side in all competitions. He helped Argentina win the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup while also winning the Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. However, Argentina barely managed to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, 2010, scrapping through at the last minute, no thanks to Messi.

A regular feature in the teams, it could be that Messi is overwhelmed by the burden of expectations on his shoulders, but that isn’t quite his style. He is only 22 though and there are at least 4 more world cups lined up for the lad if he keeps his ways.