Will Messi close the Argentine “wound” in America? | sports

While all eyes turn to the United States, which is hosting the 2026 World Cup in partnership with Canada and Mexico, the memory of Albiceleste fans goes back to 1994. That version carried within it the tragedy of the humiliating departure of legend Diego Maradona due to his use of steroids, thus ending a golden era amid the bitterness of early exclusion.

Today, 32 years after that historic catastrophe, Argentina returns to the same land, but with a more mature heart. Lionel Messi, who for years carried the burden of constant comparison with Maradona, stands today at the age of 39 at a crossroads.

It is not just an additional championship, but rather the “last dance” through which Messi seeks to overcome the ghosts of the past. If he succeeds in leading the “Albiceleste” to a second title in a row, he will not only equal Brazil’s historic achievement in 1962, but will also erase the bitterness of 1994 forever.

An indelible scar

Argentina’s exit from the 1994 World Cup was not just a passing sporting exclusion, but rather an “emotional earthquake” that shook the foundations of Argentine football. In that edition, which was hosted by the United States, Argentina was counting on the “golden boy” Diego Maradona to lead a star-studded battalion towards regaining the throne. But in a fleeting moment, the dreams turned into a resounding nightmare. When the results of the medical examination revealed that Maradona had tested positive for doping, a decision was issued to expel him from the tournament.

That incident not only ended Maradona’s World Cup career, but also broke the link between a generation that breathed football and its hero. The ghost of that harsh moment loomed over later generations, as images of Maradona leaving the field holding the nurse’s hand remained as a symbol of the “great brokenness” he left behind, making any Argentine return to American stadiums seem like an attempt to heal a deep wound that has not completely healed, and an effort to cleanse memories of the dust of that historical “sin” that aborted the dream of an entire generation.

A body struggling with time

Inside the national team camp in Kansas City, the scene does not seem ideal; Messi is still recovering from a hamstring injury, as are a number of key players, starting with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is battling a broken finger, all the way to Romero, Molina, and Paredes, who are suffering under the weight of a muscle strain. Regarding this reality, coach Lionel Scaloni comments with a realism laced with responsibility: “We would have liked everyone to arrive in perfect condition, but this is the price of the long journey.”

Despite these clouds, Scaloni adheres to the philosophy of continuity, relying on 17 players from the list that topped the world throne in 2022. Scaloni says about his options that go beyond mere numbers to loyalty to the shirt: “Why do we change those who have proven their worth? Their level has not decreased, and their desire to attend is still burning.” But in this mix, the absence of the “jewel” Angel Di Maria, who retired internationally in 2024, stands out as a void that Scaloni admits is impossible to fill, saying: “Messi and Di Maria cannot be replaced.”

On the other hand, “The Flea” still craves the ball as if he was in his early days. In a spontaneous interview, Messi revealed that his competitive spirit, which led him to the podium, is uncompromising, even in video games with his children. Today, he is participating in the sixth edition of the World Cup and holds the record as the player who participated in the most World Cups (26 matches), and he is only 4 goals away from Miroslav Klose’s historic record (16 goals).

Look towards the horizon

Messi is keen to defuse the pressure on his team, realizing that reality requires him to respect competitors. “There are teams in better physical condition,” Messi says with the humility of a wise man, realizing that football does not recognize history as much as it recognizes readiness at the decisive moment.

As the world prepares to watch Argentina’s opening match against Algeria on June 16, the story goes beyond just a sporting confrontation. It is a moment of evoking bitter memories and turning them into fuel for a possible victory, and a pause to see the future without Messi.

Scaloni sums it all up: “The thought of not seeing Messi on the grass is as sad as Maradona did, so I prefer to enjoy the present.”

Between the bitter memories of 1994 and the golden ambition of 2026, Argentina is preparing for a final scene that may immortalize Messi as the greatest to touch the ball, on a journey that begins in Kansas City and ends with a dream that millions of Argentines hope will culminate in a second successive title, with which Messi closes the final chapter of his legendary story.

Argentina begins its World Cup journey on June 16 against Algeria in Group Ten, which also includes Austria and Jordan.