Argentina plays with a lot of emotion, but this
World Cup, with a spot in the final just around the corner, it feels like it is
motivating us more than ever.
Because football is so important to our culture,
winning this tournament again after our victories in 1978 and 1986 always means
so much to our players and fans. However, I believe this time we are witnessing
a desperation for success that is unlike anything I ever encountered while
playing for the national team.
When we have a chance to win a competition back home, there is always a lot of enthusiasm, but the fact that so many Argentina supporters have travelled to Qatar makes it possible for me to feel it here as well. All of our games have had stadiums that were around 75 percent full of our fans, which produced an amazing atmosphere and provided tremendous support for our players.
It's amazing to watch and hear how much of an
experience it has been for them. They start an hour before the game and
continue as long after it is over, continuing to make noise the entire time.
They don't simply sing and dance for 90 minutes.
They are here for two reasons: one, since it is
likely Lionel Messi's last chance to win the World Cup, and second, because our
36-game undefeated streak before the tournament began boosted expectations.
Of course, the fans and the rest of the squad are
aware of this as well. Every photo I see of Messi stepping out of the tunnel
seems like it was taken by his bodyguards. He is the captain of a young team
that is competing in their first tournament.
It seems as though everyone is defending and
battling for Messi on the pitch. Because I've played with him, I know that he
feels pressure to set the bar high and set an example, but I also know how much
fun this World Cup must be for him, knowing that everyone is rooting for him.
He has always been the star, and that was also true
in 2014 when I was a member of the Argentina squad that advanced to the final,
albeit he was 27 at the time rather than 35 now.
The difference today is that he is at the end of his
career and this is his final opportunity or, if you prefer, his final dance.
You can see by watching our performances that this makes everything feel more
pressing.
It would be even more amazing if he finally won the
World Cup, but there is also a lot of pressure on the squad since defeat this
time simply means that his dream is over.
Argentina consistently plays dangerously.
I can definitely see how the Argentina players are
going above and above for Messi and the supporters from the outside.
The fact that Argentina has fared so well in this
tournament is encouraging, but it also means that we have been playing on edge
nearly from the beginning.
After the devastation of our initial loss to Saudi
Arabia, we had to contend with the anxiety of the first half against Mexico
before experiencing the relief of going up thanks to a goal from Messi.
Not just our athletes and supporters are displaying
their emotions in this match; Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar started
crying as the goal was scored.
That proves that everyone is feeling the strain, but
it has also brought out the best in us when it has counted, and we have so far
persevered through all of our trying times by doing all in our power to make
things better.
Since then, the squad has demonstrated a positive
attitude and the necessary mentality to find solutions, particularly in our
quarterfinal victory against the Netherlands when the Dutch scored two
extremely late goals to force extra time.
When the game went to penalties, we had the best
chance to win it, but we composed ourselves and maintained our calm to win the
shootout. I was there and I was concerned because the Dutch had all the
momentum, not us.
We enjoy seeing Messi in a furious state.
I'm aware that many people have said that
Argentina's celebrations after we won the match in front of the Netherlands
players were disrespectful, and ideally we wouldn't have taken part in it.
You must keep in mind the stakes and what has
already been said and done, as well as the fact that this is football.
The Dutch had been talking a lot before the game.
Even their manager Louis van Gaal engaged in some mind-reading at his press
conference when he said that Messi did not touch the ball during our 2014 World
Cup semifinal match against them and that he is not working hard enough off the
ball these days.
When it came to the shootout, several of their
players would get in the face of every Argentina player walking to take his
penalty and say something to them as they handed them the ball. During the
game, there were a few incidents before the final whistle.
As a result, both sides were involved, and you must be prepared to take as well as give criticism. Argentina handled that issue admirably, in my opinion; they most definitely did not lose control. Messi's jubilation at the finish and anything he said to Van Gaal when he approached him afterwards caught my attention.
We adore seeing Messi in a furious mood. That type
of persona reminded me a little of Diego Maradona, which is not a terrible
thing when you're trying to win the World Cup.
"I want this narrative to conclude the same way it did in 1986."
This Argentina squad is doing well once more, and
they are powerful and difficult to defeat. Of course, when our number 10 has
the ball, he can always make something happen.
After we defeated the Netherlands, Gary Lineker made
a really insightful observation on BBC One, pointing out that the circumstances
under which Argentina won the 1986 World Cup were extremely similar.
Like Messi is now, Maradona was the best player on
the field at all times back then, but he also had a supporting cast of solid
teammates who gave everything for the team and occasionally stepped up to the
plate.
However, what Croatia did to Brazil demonstrated how
hard Tuesday's game will be, and we cannot make any more mistakes. I am hopeful
that this tale has the same happy conclusion for us.
The unexpected nature of football is what makes it
so emotionally charged, and I don't believe anyone is anticipating this game to
be an easy one. Although we can see the outcome, we are not yet there.