Messi’s Emotional Rollercoaster: The Agony and Psychological Fear Behind Argentina’s Copa América Triumph
The euphoria of Argentina’s qualification for the semifinals of the Copa América was tempered by the anguish and psychological fear experienced by their talisman, Lionel Messi. The match against Ecuador was a testament to the emotional turmoil that the Argentine captain faced, both on and off the pitch.
The Missed Penalty and Messi’s Frustration
Messi’s performance in the match was far from his best, and he was one of the poorest performers on the field. To make matters worse, the Barcelona legend missed his penalty kick in the shootout that sealed Argentina’s qualification. Messi attempted a Panenka-style penalty, but his shot hit the crossbar and went wide, leaving him visibly frustrated.
In the aftermath, Messi expressed his discontent with his own performance, stating, I was very angry because I was convinced of hitting it that way. I had taken a few penalties, I didn’t practice, but I had been talking to Dibu and Rulli. I had been hitting several crossed penalties. In fact, the goalkeeper dives that way. I wanted to touch it and it got away from me.
The Psychological Burden of Injury Concerns
Messi’s struggles were not limited to the match itself. The Argentine captain was a doubt for the game until the last minute due to the discomfort he had experienced after the match against Chile, which had forced him to sit out the subsequent encounter.
Messi confessed that he played the match against Ecuador with psychological fear, stating, I didn’t have any discomfort, but I did have psychological fear. I was trying to get rid of the discomfort I had, training little by little, feeling a bit of fear. But in the end, I felt better and felt I could be there.
Dibu Martínez: The Savior and Messi’s Ally
Despite Messi’s struggles, Argentina’s goalkeeper Dibu Martínez emerged as the hero of the match, saving two penalties in the shootout to secure his team’s passage to the semifinals. Messi was quick to praise his teammate’s performance, saying, Dibu is always there, in these moments he becomes great. In the penalties, he had a lot of faith, even before the match he was joking that we should be calm if there were penalties. He always has it in mind. He likes these moments. It’s not nice to get to this stage, but when we do, we have a little advantage there.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s journey in the Copa América quarterfinal against Ecuador was a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by frustration, psychological fear, and ultimately, relief. The superstar’s struggles, both on and off the pitch, were a testament to the immense pressure and expectations that he faces as the leader of the Argentine national team. However, with the support of his teammates, particularly the heroic performance of Dibu Martínez, Messi and Argentina were able to overcome these challenges and secure their place in the semifinals of the tournament.
References
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