At the Lusail Stadium today, Lionel Messi will be the center of attention as Argentina begins their quest for a third FIFA World Cup victory against Saudi Arabia.
La Albiceleste has won the championship twice, in 1978 and 1986. They will be eager to win it once more under the leadership of their 35-year-old captain and all-time leading scorer Messi, who is playing in his fifth and final World Cup.
Lionel Messi takes part in a training session.
Already riding on their exceptional form – a 36-match unbeaten run – more than any other team competing in Qatar, Argentina are in the top bracket of favouortes this time as Messi looks to emulate his country’s legend Diego Maradona under whom they won their last title 36 years ago.
La Albiceleste have since then finished runner-up twice, in Italy 1990 and Brazil eight years ago.
They are playing in the World Cup finals for the 18th time, while Saudi Arabia are on the biggest stage for the sixth time and second in a row.
Under Messi’s captaincy, Argentina were crowned Copa America champions last year when they overpowered hosts Brazil at the famous Maracana stadium, and the seven-time Ballon d’Or Award winner will give his last shot at the prestigious FIFA title.
Saudi Arabia’s players take part in a training session at the Sealine Training Site, yesterday. AFP
Argentina reached the final 16 in their last World Cup appearance in 2018, before losing 4-3 to the eventual champions France.
Messi did not score that time, but the Paris Saint-Germain star has been in tremendous form in the French league and is almost certain to deliver for the Lionel Scaloni-coached team.
“I see him as always… eager to enjoy the World Cup. He’s enjoying his team-mates, training sessions, the stay and the whole process,” said Scaloni yesterday, after the Paris Saint-Germain star returned to full training with team-mates yesterday after raising questions about his fitness following an isolated training session a day before.
“I feel very good physically, I think I’m in a great moment, both personally and physically and I don’t have any problems,” Messi told media.
“I didn’t do anything special,” he said.
“I took care of myself and worked as I have done all my career, knowing that this is a special moment, as this is probably my last World Cup, my last chance to achieve this great dream that I have, that we all have,” Messi said on the eve of their World Cup opener.
Blocking Messi’s first hurdle towards glory in Qatar are Saudi Arabia who are aiming to shine in an extremely difficult group.
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard
Herve Renard’s Saudi Arabia are ranked 48 places lower than Argentina, in the 51st spot, and haven’t enjoyed an impressive run in the recent past. They lost to Venezuela, Colombia and Croatia in friendlies and have won only two of their last 10 matches.
They also own a dismal record at the Group Stages in World Cup, including losing 5-0 to Russia in 2018 and 8-0 to Germany in 2002 in the opening games, and will face an uphill task to avoid a similar result in Group C which also includes Mexico and Poland this time.
“I saw a country full of young, talented players. We achieved our first target, let’s work together for the rest,” said coach Renard.
Renard’s side is bolstered by the presence of captain and veteran midfielder Salman Al Faraj and winger Salem Al Dawsari while versatile defender Yasser Al Shahrani is also a force to be reckoned with.
Scaloni, meanwhile, will be banking on the likes of Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Leandro Paredes and the ‘reliable’ Angel Di Maria to ease the pressure on Messi who is also looking to add another star to his belt.
Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni
Messi has scored in three different World Cup tournaments, in the 2006, 2014, and 2018, and has the opportunity to become the fifth player ever to net at least one goal in four different editions of FIFA World Cup if he manages to score at least one goal in Qatar.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, Uwe Seeler, and Miroslav Klose have achieved the historic feat.
Argentina and Saudi Arabia have played each other four times, with Argentina winning once in their third meeting during the Confederations Cup on 1992. Their last meeting ended 0-0 in a 2012 friendly.
