Messi has world at his feet

A few months before the World Cup began I was popped the perennial question from an Adidas representative: Whom are you supporting or which team is your favourite? Being a journalist I always prefer to be neutral but pressed for an answer gave Brazil as first choice since the five-time world champions are the all-time favourites. Asked for more choices I said Argentina and England. The preference for South American teams pleased him surprising me days later by delivering a replica of the Argentina national team jersey with my name emblazoned on it. I would rather it had been that of the baby-faced sharpshooter who brought alive the 2010 World Cup on Saturday.

Lionel Messi showed why he is the best player in the world with a spellbinding performance against Nigeria. He mesmerised not only the opposition with his sublime talent, but had the world at his feet egging on the ‘atomic flea’ towards that elusive goal. He orchestrated sweeping attacking moves with deceptive passes and created space as Argentina gave a dazzling display of footballing skills against a physically stronger opposition.

Gabriel Heinze’s diving header after six minutes may have been all that Argentina had to show for their efforts at the final whistle, but Messi showed he means business. Only some acrobatic saves from Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, denied Messi getting his first goal of the tournament. Indeed it would have been a travesty if Nigeria had pounced on the Argentina’s vulnerability at the back as they pressed forward.

“It is important to get off to a winning start while playing good football,” said Messi who has been in irrepressible form Barcelona but has failed to deliver for the national team. He may not have produced the ruthless clinical finish expected from someone who decimated Arsenal in the Champions League with a four-goal salvo, but he certainly won the hearts of everyone with his flashes of genius on the biggest stage of all.

“I want him to be always on the ball. It really pleases me to see that,” said Argentina’s World Cup winning skipper Diego Maradona, who has had a tempestuous relationship with the team in his first stint as manager. “Football would not be beautiful if you couldn’t see Messi do crazy things,” said El Diego unable to hide his delight at Messi’s performance.

“Lionel Messi is one of those players, isn’t he, that us neutrals just want to see on the ball all the time,” said former England skipper Gary Lineker on BBC Sports. “Messi showed how good he is – every time he got the ball something happened. Maradona has managed to give him the confidence to make sure he plays like he does for Barcelona and he looked like he really enjoyed it,” added former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Indeed Messi shone like a beacon whereas the other leading light of the World Cup England’s Wayne Rooney who took the stage a few hours later against USA, looked pedestrian in comparison. Rooney was perhaps heeding the warning to control his temper instead of following his predatory instincts. He hardly got a look at the goal being kept on a tight leash by the American defence. He seemed subdued for the most part but if England are to progress their talismanic striker has to fire.

Messi has already fired the imagination of fans who believe Argentina can go all the way.

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