3 reasons why the World Cup wouldn’t be the same without Argentina

No Lionel Messi

There is no doubting the significance of Diego Maradona in World Cup history, nor the importance of a World Cup win in the player’s reputation. However Argentina have another player who is in the conversation to be considered the greatest of all time, and he goes by the name of Lionel Messi. At age 30 this World Cup could be the last for Messi, who isn’t adored in the same way as Maradona by Argentinian fans because he hasn’t quite performed on the international stage.

At club level Messi’s statistics are simply astonishing. The diminutive Argentinian has won eight La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, and scored 521 goals for Barcelona. Individually he has won an unbelievable five Ballon d’Ors. However he has struggled to carry that form into international success, with an Olympic gold medal the only silverware he has won with Argentina.

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It would be a huge shame for one of the world’s best players to miss out on one last chance to carve his name into the hearts of his nation alongside Maradona. The World Cup is a competition that even the most casual of football fans tune into, and Messi is a player that everyone needs to see play before he retires because he is simply breath-taking.