Lionel Messi, or “the routine of the extraordinary”

“We couldn’t have dreamed of a better start, exult in the everyday claran. Not just for selection. Not just for Argentina. But mainly for Lionel Messi, ‘Mr Football’. Don’t take away his crown yet.â€

The Argentine press is raved about the performance of the Albiceleste captain against Algeria, on the night of Tuesday June 16 to Wednesday June 17 in Kansas City. Author of a hat-trick, he carried his team to ensure a clear victory against the Fennecs. “Colossal†pour ClarÃn, “unbeatable†d’après Page 12, “anthology†according to Profile. At almost 39 years old and for his sixth World Cup, he “achieve the impossible: surpass yourself, once again†, exults the conservative daily At the Nation.

“Tonight, it was Messi’s show†, enthuses the sports daily Olé. “Some said he was old, that he played in a minor league [Messi évolue à l'Inter Miami, en MLS américaine]that he would no longer run like before […] But the throats can explode with screams, because the captain is still there. The champion is present. The years go by, so do the players… Rest Messi….

“Let the planet realize this: it is not going to be easy to take away its crown!â€

By taking part in the match, Lionel Messi became the first player in history to participate in six editions of the World Cup – he should probably be joined by the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo who enters the competition on Wednesday evening June 17. Above all, counting his three new goals, he equals the record for top scorer in the history of the competition (16 goals), until then held by the German Miroslav Klose. “His legend grew even greater, continues La Nación. While no one could ask him for more, he persists in surpassing his goals again and again.â€

“Exactly twenty years ago, on June 16, 2006, in Germany, he scored his first goal in the World Cup, in a 6-0 victory against Serbia and Montenegro. And this night is decidedly special: it is the night of his 120 goals in the colors of the Albiceleste, and his 200^e apparition internationale.â€

“There are no more adjectives to describe itâ€

“True to his style, he sought to strip himself of his merits†, observe the daily life At the Nation, admiring. At a press conference, Messi played modest, simply stating: “It’s an honor to be alongside Klose.â€

Le média régional El Editor Mendoza talks about “routine of the extraordinary†. “There are no more adjectives to describe it, everything is said.†Suffice it to say that the Argentine press is, to say the least, optimistic about the ability of the selection to retain its title acquired in 2022 in Qatar, and to hang a fourth star in the sky and white jersey.

Alone Page 12 tempère légèrement l’euphorie ambiante : “The team seems to be overly dependent on the brilliance of its captain to initiate the attack. Partly because what he achieved on the pitch was sweet madness, and also because all the balls went through him, his teammates looked for him perhaps a little more than they should have. But it’s his last tango and everyone knows it.â€