The defeat of Argentina
Chile's victory in the final of the Copa América was a hard blow for a country that anxiously awaited for the albiceleste to break a streak that has been going on since 1993. Many wounds were reopened after the match, even some that seemed to be forever healed, such as Messi's performance with his national team.
Today, Olé, under the direction of Leo Farinella, publishes an extremely critical editorial about 'La Pulga' (Leo Messi), stating that he should not wear the captain's armband ("it is misplaced") and that "his performance yesterday was disgraceful". The article says that one can play well or badly, "but one should never walk around absent while his teammates work hard. Being the best not only gives you rights, but also obligations."
Below is the full article:
"The team fell short in another final. Mainly the captain Messi, who wandered around the field. And mind you: this time it wasn't the powerful Germany but Chile. 'It's a karma, a torture,' said Mascherano. Until when?"
"Enough with the excuses. Enough, please. Show some respect for those people who hugged their TVs or traveled as they could and spent what they didn't have to watch it among thousands of Chileans at the National Stadium in Chile. Nothing. We must apologize, lower our heads as Messi knows how to do perfectly, and move forward. Grit our teeth to become a team more like Mascherano. The captain's armband is misplaced. Let's end this. The best player in the world does not represent us in important moments. His performance yesterday was, quite simply, disgraceful. There are times when you can play well, others not. But one should never walk around absent while his teammates work hard. Being the best not only gives you rights, but also obligations."
"This was the great opportunity to have a rematch of what happened in the World Cup final in Brazil, the one we also lost, but against the mighty Germany. This time it was a painful penalty shootout defeat to Chile, but that's not the worst part. What hurts the most is the bitter feeling left by the national team. Bitter with bitterness and also the other kind. Mascherano, Biglia, the defenders were okay. But we were lacking up front."
"Well, let's stop beating around the bush. We lacked Messi. And without Messi and without the game plan, because there was no game plan in the final that had anything to do with what was attempted throughout the Copa, Argentina was very similar to the team that Sabella tried to mend for the battle in the World Cup. We defended strongly, Chile tried but did not disturb. So, the issue is not there. It's further ahead. Martino's idea may be very interesting but these are the moments when we must uphold it. Because if we're going to back down in tough times, our convictions are not so deep. Ideas, in all areas, are executed by men. And there are men who measure up in finals, in important moments, and others who don't."
"Cut the crap, as Coco Basile would say. Argentina almost never had control of the ball, did not circulate the ball, did not play the game. Nothing at all. And it showed courage to keep a clean sheet defensively. It did not have the conviction of feeling superior and wanting to win the final. This defeat hurts differently than the World Cup. It's not as important, of course. But that time the sadness was because a great success slipped away due to a lack of efficiency in the created chances. This time, the worst thing that can happen to an Argentine team happened. It lacked character. It did not play the final with the authority that those who are convinced of winning it have. If not having won anything weighs so much, please, turn the page and look at the life you have with joy. All the pressure, respect, and fear that Chileans had, which we felt in the streets, changed shirts. We must apologize to all those who support us in Santiago, Buenos Aires, or anywhere else in the world where a football fan wears the national team jersey. Just like Mascherano asks for forgiveness with tears in his eyes. But the forgiveness of those who gave everything on the field is valuable."
"A new disappointment, a new anguish takes over the national team. Again, we hit the post and are left with tears, while others go crazy with happiness. This ending, this final, is unbelievably cruel. Karma, curse, stigma, call it whatever you want. But when your best player, the best in the world, looks down and wants the earth to swallow him, hides in that underground that takes him to some distant place, gets off at an unnamed station, and stands there watching the train pass by over and over... The train passed again in a final. It's time to accept the problem and make strong decisions. Congratulations, Chile. Argentina, another time will come. Hopefully."
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