Messi retires from International football, but is his legasy tarnished?

[Nick Bateman]

Arguably one of the all-time great players Lionel Messi announced he will no longer play for the Argentine national team, but I feel the last campaign harmed his reputation and how he may be remembered.

Now, instead of admiring some of his great goals and pieces of skill, we might dwell on the amount of gamesmanship and unsporting behaviour Argentina got up to in the recent world cup.

Unfortunately Argentina were aided by what appeared a biased FIFA in helping them progress through the tournament. Their 'ugly' tactics against England, trying to get a player sent off for putting a hand over their mouth, fouls the American ref allowed to go unpunished and VAR not stepping in. Yet when Egypt scored one of the best goals of the World Cup it was chalked off for a tiny touch on an Argie who feigned injury (reminds me of the disallowed goal Josh King got against Chelsea).

Argentina blotted the memory of that team that won the WC 4 years earlier and their negative tactics in the final was one of the worst showings in a final.

Sadly, Messi will be tarred by the same brush; people remember your last actions more and he certainly has lost the respect he once coveted.

[alfie]

Arguably one of the all-time great players Lionel Messi announced he will no longer play for the Argentine national team, but I feel the last campaign harmed his reputation and how he may be remembered.

Now, instead of admiring some of his great goals and pieces of skill, we might dwell on the amount of gamesmanship and unsporting behaviour Argentina got up to in the recent world cup.

Unfortunately Argentina were aided by what appeared a biased FIFA in helping them progress through the tournament. Their 'ugly' tactics against England, trying to get a player sent off for putting a hand over their mouth, fouls the American ref allowed to go unpunished and VAR not stepping in. Yet when Egypt scored one of the best goals of the World Cup it was chalked off for a tiny touch on an Argie who feigned injury (reminds me of the disallowed goal Josh King got against Chelsea).

Argentina blotted the memory of that team that won the WC 4 years earlier and their negative tactics in the final was one of the worst showings in a final.

Sadly, Messi will be tarred by the same brush; people remember your last actions more and he certainly has lost the respect he once coveted.

You are so right, what a shameful way to end a glorious career, I lost a lot of respect for him during that final.

[Cowperc]

Short term, maybe...but time heals all wounds. He's still going to be fondly remembered as the GOAT (or close to it) by the vast majority.

[Bill2]

His name will go down the same way as Maradona's.

[JimmyConway]

Only footballer I can think of where most teams worldwide have changed there style of play from wide positions to try an accommodate a similar effect he brought in his playing days at Barcelona.

[cookieg]

His name will go down the same way as Maradona's.

When I think of Maradonna though I think of a coked up hand of god footballer.

[perry geyton]

Turning his back on the Spanish team that beat them convincingly whilst raising the World Cup was as classless as it gets IMO

I don't think people will forget that so easily infact it still amazes me that people haven't made a bigger fuss about it

[Woolly Mammoth]

Turning his back on the Spanish team that beat them convincingly whilst raising the World Cup was as classless as it gets IMO

I don't think people will forget that so easily infact it still amazes me that people haven't made a bigger fuss about it

100% Spot On

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

Another insightful and enjoyable post, Nick.

You could extend the same to any member of that side.

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

His name will go down the same way as Maradona's.

When I think of Maradonna though I think of a coked up hand of god footballer.

Yes, coke and obesity didn't serve Diego well in the long run.

[perry geyton]

His name will go down the same way as Maradona's.

When I think of Maradonna though I think of a coked up hand of god footballer.

Yes, coke and obesity didn't serve Diego well in the long run.

extreme people generally don't last forever, they burn out, Gazza etc.
Messi has nothing on Diego and never will

those videos of him when he would smash the ball in the air and it would come down right on his foot and he'd do it over and over are non human
there's not another player on the planet that could ever consider doing that

[cookieg]

His name will go down the same way as Maradona's.

When I think of Maradonna though I think of a coked up hand of god footballer.

Yes, coke and obesity didn't serve Diego well in the long run.

Such a shame that his talent got used and abused by others. A what could have been was Gazza before getting in with the wrong crowd or even Best. Maybe there is a gene which some footballers have that craves the highs and needs them by whatever means necessary.