Messi laments lack of killer instinct

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Messi laments lack of killer instinct

Argentina captain Lionel Messi regretted his side's missed chances as Germany beat La Albiceleste 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday thanks to Mario Goetze's extra time goal.

Gonzalo Higuain, Rodrigo Palacio and Messi himself all passed up clear opportunities chances to put Argentina in front before Goetze struck seven minutes from time.

"I think we did everything to win, but it didn't happen for us. We couldn't score the goal," said the Barcelona star.

Messi was still crowned as the player of the tournament for his performances and four goals in carrying his country to the final for the first time in 24 years.

However, he insisted the individual award was scant consolation for missing out on a much bigger collective prize.

"We wanted to win the World Cup," he replied when asked about being awarded the Golden Ball.

"Now we have to look forward."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-07-14

[hobz]

It seemed to me that all of Messis shots and crucial passes were "slightly off" during the final. Maybe some mental block. Amateur psychiatrist going to bed early tonight,

[salty]

As the knockout rounds progressed he has looked more and more shattered physically. I fear his greatest days may be in the past.

[umbanda]

Mossy is the most complete football player ever, and the best in the world. He is a really a gifted individual, but also a team player, and he is in his best when playing with his regular team, Barcelona. Even after so short time training with the national team, he forgot that, and insisted in passing the ball in attack, when the best move probably was to try an individual play. Anyway, was a great game, both teams played very well, and was better to finishing the game not shooting penalties.

[jellydog]

As the knockout rounds progressed he has looked more and more shattered physically. I fear his greatest days may be in the past.

He looked beat by the end. Physically and emotionally wore out. As a big Messi fan that concerns me.

Generally speaking many players, particularly those that play for big clubs, just play too much football. They rarely get a break year round. In the past Messi has also put on his own charity matches in the "off season". Just too much IMO.

[schlog]

As the knockout rounds progressed he has looked more and more shattered physically. I fear his greatest days may be in the past.

He looked beat by the end. Physically and emotionally wore out. As a big Messi fan that concerns me.

Because in this moment he realised he will never be a worldchampion and never can reach the one and only Diego Marado.

[elzach]

Palacio's chance was almost impossible to forgive. I couldn't believe how he reacted. First, bad control keeping the ball high. Next he tries to chip it over the goalkeeper's head. Any pro player will tell you the chances are far better when you keep the ball down and control it. Either you get a penalty or you score aiming low to a corner.

[carmine]

Mossy is the most complete football player ever, and the best in the world. He is a really a gifted individual, but also a team player, and he is in his best when playing with his regular team, Barcelona. Even after so short time training with the national team, he forgot that, and insisted in passing the ball in attack, when the best move probably was to try an individual play. Anyway, was a great game, both teams played very well, and was better to finishing the game not shooting penalties.

Messi is not the most complete football player ever. He is the best of his generation. Did you ever see Alfredo Di Stephano play? Or see much of Pele for that matter?

He is also not at a level even close to Maradona.

He was also clearly not the best performer at this tournament regardless of the ridiculous marketing decision by FIFA. Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez were far better.

[mks222]

Maradona was a gifted player but a complete f@#&wit (IMHO) as a person

[elzach]

Maradona was a gifted player but a complete f@#&wit (IMHO) as a person

Agreed, 100%.

He should hardly be a role model for any Argentinian player.

Re: Messi, he was clearly the best player on the field for the first 60 min or so. If you watch the game again you'll see the German defence bewildered any time he had the ball.

[jellydog]

Maradona was a gifted player but a complete f@#&wit (IMHO) as a person

Agreed, 100%.

He should hardly be a role model for any Argentinian player.

Re: Messi, he was clearly the best player on the field for the first 60 min or so. If you watch the game again you'll see the German defence bewildered any time he had the ball.

Aguero was never completely fit to play and much less in form. Save for his one goal Higuain did almost nothing. Di Maria had one goal, was frequently dispossessed, and then injured. Messi did what he could with almost no front support.

[carmine]

Maradona was a gifted player but a complete f@#&wit (IMHO) as a person

Agreed, 100%.

He should hardly be a role model for any Argentinian player.

Re: Messi, he was clearly the best player on the field for the first 60 min or so. If you watch the game again you'll see the German defence bewildered any time he had the ball.

What you or anyone else think of Maradona as an individual is irrelevant. He's being judged as a player and as a player he was a genius and without doubt the greatest player i have ever seen.

[Thorgal]

Palacio's chance was almost impossible to forgive. I couldn't believe how he reacted. First, bad control keeping the ball high. Next he tries to chip it over the goalkeeper's head. Any pro player will tell you the chances are far better when you keep the ball down and control it. Either you get a penalty or you score aiming low to a corner.

Ball was spinning and he slipped in his acceleration to the ball...

Neuer was to close to kick the ball low.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

I would say no mercy for Higuain, but not for Palacio.

[jellydog]

Palacio's chance was almost impossible to forgive. I couldn't believe how he reacted. First, bad control keeping the ball high. Next he tries to chip it over the goalkeeper's head. Any pro player will tell you the chances are far better when you keep the ball down and control it. Either you get a penalty or you score aiming low to a corner.

Ball was spinning and he slipped in his acceleration to the ball...

Neuer was to close to kick the ball low.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

I would say no mercy for Higuain, but not for Palacio.

Exactly. He chested the ball a bit too far away and slipped getting to it. If it had dropped at his feet that would have been a different story.