ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi’s move to America will look like a masterstroke if he leads Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles.His decision to join Inter Miami in 2023 has already been good for all parties, raising the profile of soccer in the United States, delivering titles for his club and writing a new chapter in his storied career. But Argentina could be the biggest winner of all, with Messi arriving at what might be his last World Cup with his powers still at stratospheric levels aged 38. “Leo will be the best for as long as he wants; he has been doing it every single match for the last 20 years,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.Thierry Henry described him as “on the moon” after his hat trick in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria.“Leo is just different. It’s just a different topic,” Henry told Fox Sports. Messi scored his first hat trick at a World Cup and also moved level on 16 goals with Miroslav Klose as the leading scorer in tournament history.
“I tried to prepare myself in the best possible way to feel good physically, to feel useful, and to be able to help the group,” Messi said.
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That’s an understatement.Despite saying the last World Cup was likely his last, Messi is once again at the heart of the Argentina team, its biggest creative and attacking threat. At this stage of his career, that was far from guaranteed.“We should be used to this, but if you ever needed any more confirmation that when it comes to Argentina, Messi is the system, he is the tactic, he’s the formation, he’s the identity and he is the heart,” Fox analyst Alexi Lalas said after the 3-0 win against Algeria. “It was something to behold.”
