Critics of Lionel Messi have often accused the Argentine talisman of not showing the same passion and desire to represent his country as he does at club level with Barcelona.
Yes, the 76 international goals in 150 appearances absolutely stink of a player who can not care, right?
With this, given his enormous talent, he has not picked up a single piece of large international silverware in 16 years – is there a chance that his critics have received a point?
Well, no.
The Barcelona man currently represents Argentina in the Copa America over in Brazil, and his side had a great opportunity to reach the final of the competition on Wednesday when they met Colombia in the last four.
After taking a 1-0 lead with the permission of Lautaro Martinez’s early strike (who was apparently Messi when he put the ball on a plate for the Inter man), Argentina looked to have received a huge blow when Colombian defender Frank Fabra landed a broken tackle on Messi’s ankle.
The challenge sent the Argentine captain to the floor where he rocked his ankle in clear discomfort before giving up again.
Lionel Messi’s Bloody Ankle / Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images
The side effects of the challenge were there for all to see with Messi’s sock drenched in blood, but the player who obviously ‘does not care about Argentina’ showed no indication that he wanted to be withdrawn and he struggled to look the remaining 35 minutes of the game as well play through extra time.
Messi even went up to take his team’s first penalty in the shootout when he smashed the ball past David Ospina in the top corner, and after some hero models – and some strange behavior – from Emi Martinez, Argentina broke through to Sunday’s final.
The exhibition event will be Messi’s fourth appearance in the Copa America final and the joy on his face after receiving the victory was obvious.
Do you think Messi cares less about Argentina than Barcelona? Not a chance.
