FIFA World Cup 2014: Will Lionel Messi be able to pull off a Maradona?

Rio de Janeiro: Argentina are less of a one-man team than Brazil but the Albicelestes are a one-man team nevertheless. Lionel Messi has scored four of their six goals in three group stage matches. Of the remaining two, one was an own goal and another was scored by Marcos Rojo who didn’t have much clue about how he bundled the ball home.

Can Messi take Argentina to the summit of world football all alone like his illustrious compatriot Diego Maradona did in Mexico 26 years ago? These are still early days to profess an opinion because Argentina haven’t met a top team here so far. Their first real test could be in the quarterfinal when they meet Belgium if both teams come out of their less daunting last 16 matches. Belgium are a smart team defence wise and they wouldn’t give time and space to Messi for his turbo-charged runs.

Football may be a team sport but some individuals have the innate ability to rise above the rest even in a cauldron of pressure like the World Cup. Messi, who is the antithesis of a showboating football star, certainly has the tag of the most loved player of this era in the bag. Yes, the little fellow is also preternaturally talented. Does he have the mental strength to deal with burgeoning pressure to do a Maradona?

There is a consensus among experts that ultimate glory in football is beyond teams that rely on an individual. Maradona was the last person to drag his team all the way to the top. Even the outrageously-skilled Argentine wouldn’t find the going easy if he were to play now because defenders have got infinitely better from his days and the game is more athletic now. Teams that won World Cup in the last two editions relied more on collective work than on the mercurial talent of one man.

The stars, it appears, are favourable to Messi because Italy and Spain are already out. Argentina wouldn’t face Brazil and Germany, top contenders for the title here, until the final. He has warmed up for tougher battles of the knockout stage with a variety of goals ranging from a solo dribbling effort to a stunning free kick. Messi would, however, need more support from his teammates during the business end of the tournament. Midfield and defence remain a concern for Argentina. If Messi goes on to lead Argentina to the Promised Land against the odds, debates about his place in the list of all-time greats should end once and for all.