Lionel Messi is leading Argentina in the World Cup, with the team's strategy built around him. On June 22, Argentina played Austria, with Messi's name on 60% of the Argentina shirts in the crowd.
What happened?
The match was a battle of philosophies, with Austria's counter-pressing style facing off against Argentina's focus on Messi.
Austria's manager, Ralf Rangnick, has built his team around intense running and counter-pressing. But Argentina's approach is different, with Messi at the center.
Why it matters for Lionel Messi
Messi, who turns 39 on June 24, is no longer capable of heavy running or counter-pressing. His statistics from the 2025 MLS season show he ranked low in tackles and interceptions.
Messi's impact on the sport is significant, with his presence drawing large crowds and setting attendance records. As Paul Tenorio wrote in his book The Messi Effect, Messi has sold out stadiums across the continent.
What comes next?
Argentina's next match will be a test of their strategy and Messi's ability to lead the team. With Austria's intense style, the match was always going to be a challenge.
The crowd was filled with Argentina shirts, with Messi's name on the back of most of them. The vibe was celebratory, with fans eager to see Messi play.
Messi lived up to the billing against Algeria, scoring three goals. But against Austria, the challenge was different, with Austria's counter-pressing style pushing Argentina to adapt.
The bigger picture
Messi's legacy is on the line, with this World Cup potentially being his last chance to win the tournament. His team's strategy is built around him, and his performance will be crucial to their success.
The match against Austria was a key test of Argentina's approach, with Messi's ability to create space and score goals vital to their chances. As the World Cup progresses, Messi's impact will be closely watched.
Messi's statistics from the 2025 MLS season show he is still a dominant player, but his style has changed. He is no longer the hard-working forward he was in his younger days, but his vision and skill remain unparalleled.
The World Cup is a chance for Messi to cement his legacy, and his performance against Austria was a key part of that. With the crowd behind him, Messi will be looking to lead Argentina to victory.
The team's strategy is built around Messi, with his name on the back of most of the Argentina shirts in the crowd. The vibe is celebratory, with fans eager to see Messi play.
As the World Cup progresses, Messi's impact will be closely watched. His legacy is on the line, and his performance will be vital to Argentina's chances.