3. He Isn't Quite So Loved In His Native Argentina
Closely aligned with Messis international struggles is the fact hes never quite been accepted by the Argentine public as one of their own. In the wake of Argentinas disappointing Copa America final defeat to Chile, national newspaper Ole blamed Messi for their failure, criticising his apparent disinterest throughout the final and calling for him to be stripped of his captaincy. It was a harsh and emotive editorial, one that illuminates Messis struggles amongst the Argentine people. Jere Longmans excellent piece published in 2014 in the New York Times explores the reasons why Argentina hasnt quite taken to their star player. At the heart of the problem is the fact Messi left the country at a young age, moving to Spain aged 13 and receiving his schooling at Barcelonas famed La Masia academy rather than the barrios of Argentina. He lacks that fight and determination better encapsulated by countrymen such as Carlos Tevez, a player less talented yet more revered. And then there is the subject of Diego Maradona. The comparisons have always existed between the two, not helped by instances such as this. Yet the main difference is Maradonas fight and dogged determination led his country to winning the 1986 World Cup, a feat Messi seems incapable of replicating.
