sport news IAN HERBERT: Argentina has finally fallen in love with Lionel Messi trends now
When Lionel Messi had taken his place in the press conference late on Saturday night, one Argentine was so overwhelmed he could not even think of a question. ‘I just want to hear you,’ he said.
As the genius obliged, you were struck by the way a football pitch transforms this otherwise pale, outwardly unremarkable individual, as he squinted into the camera lights and did not really raise a smile.
Had Cristiano Ronaldo accomplished what Messi had just delivered on the pitch, it would have been the camera crews trying to cope with his radiated light.
Lionel Messi was long considered below Diego Maradona in the pantheon of Argentine greats
It was when the question of how he had made all Argentina happy that Messi’s voice picked up. ‘This bond is something beautiful. It’s unbelievable how they live the match, their passion, energy, joy.’
What is most significant about the past few weeks is the way that Messi’s place in the Argentinian consciousness seems to have changed.
For years, he felt little of the love known by Diego Maradona, the ultimate Argentinian No 10, because his relationship with his native county has always been so complicated.
At 35, he is now held dear by the Argentinian public as they go in search of a third World Cup crown
His departure for Barcelona at the age of 13 contributed to that. Was he a true Argentine anyway, some grumbled, especially the older fans. The people of Buenos Aires expect their nation’s stars to play for one of the city’s clubs before they leave.
There was also his painful shyness and introversion, set against the lovable rogue Maradona, who had entertained so richly with jokes, songs and expletive-laden tirades against authority.
Then there was that infernal struggle to take the national team to
