The Return of Argentina’s Prodigal Son

Originally published on 2nd September 2016

 

The 26th of June 2016 was supposed to be the day when Messi cemented his place as the greatest player in history by finally winning an international trophy with his country, to cap off an otherwise perfect career. Everything was poised for Messi to lift the Copa America Centanario trophy for Argentina.

It all went wrong from there.

Argentina not only lost the final to Chile, but Lionel Messi shocked the world by announcing his retirement from international football soon after the final. One could see how much the defeat physically broke-down the world’s greatest player, with Messi being unable to keep down his tears.

It looked like the beginning of a sad demise of who was possibly the greatest footballer ever to don a pair of football boots.

What followed was an international campaign to bring Messi back, with football’s greatest players from Maradona to Pele requesting Messi to return to the National team. The President of Argentina himself implored Messi to reverse his decision.  Millions of Argentines flocked the streets on a rainy Saturday begging Argentina’s all time topsorer to return to captain the National team. A statue of Messi was erected in the Capital Buenos Aires, and throughout the country, billboards were lit up with messages imploring their greatest asset to return to the international stage.
Such was the magnitude of Messi.

Throughout his career, Messi has always been criticized heavily by his countrymen for an ‘apparent’ lack of passion towards the Albiceleste shirt. They never saw Messi as truly as one of their own. It was only when Argentina lost their greatest ever player, did they realize his worth. They tried to make Gods out of men, and when it crumbled down, they vented their frustration on their star jewel of a player. And they paid for it dearly too.

But 2 months later, Messi announced his return to the National team, stating that ‘he didn’t want to be a problem for Argentine football, instead wanted to help them in every way he can, because he loved his country too much. Days later for Argentina in an important match vs Uruguay, Messi was yet again the difference as he scored the winning goal. And as he celebrated that crucial goal, it was quite evident how much wearing the white and blue shirt meant to him.  It was clear then, how much Argentina meant to Messi, and how much Argentina needed their world famous number 10.

Messi is the heart and soul of the Albiceleste, and the nation has realized that. The return of their greatest asset was met with nationwide celebration and jubilation. Innumerable messages and posters were hung everywhere throughout the match to thank Messi for his return to captain Argentina once again. The entire stadium shook with the chant of Messi’s name.

For almost 2 months, the question of how to replace a player of his magnitude gave an entire nation many a sleepless night. But that question need not be answered just yet, with Argentina’s prodigal son returning to give his final shot at relieving Argentina of their 23 year trophy drought.

Can he succeed?

If anyone can, it is Argentina’s prodigal son.