Overview: Lionel Messi’s Pursuit of World Cup Glory in 2022
As the 2022 FIFA World Cup unfolded, Lionel Messi’s determination to secure the coveted trophy took center stage. At 35, Messi delivered an exceptional tournament, leading Argentina with 5 goals and 3 assists in 6 matches. His standout moments and crucial contributions highlighted why, even with a career filled with accolades, winning the World Cup would be a crowning achievement. This analysis examines Messi’s role, tactical responsibilities, style of play, and how his approach has evolved to suit the biggest stage in football.
Messi’s Unique Role and Influence in Argentina’s Attack
Argentina’s tactical structure at the World Cup was designed around Messi’s strengths, allowing him significant creative freedom. Although the squad was not solely reliant on his output, Messi played a direct role in nearly 70% of Argentina’s goals leading up to the final, emphasizing his critical involvement in their success.
Operating primarily as a ‘free roaming playmaker’ behind central forwards such as Julián Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez, Messi exploited spaces in the right channel. This positioning allowed him to cut inside on his favored left foot, shift defenders with his two-footed dribbling, or stretch the opposition by moving wide.
Protecting Messi from defensive duties was essential. Midfielders like Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, and Enzo Fernández provided cover and ensured that Messi remained fresh for offensive transitions, giving him the license to conserve energy and maximize his threat. When supported by defensively oriented players, Messi could focus almost exclusively on breaking down rival defenses.
His mere presence forced defenders into difficult choices: marking him tightly could lead to being bypassed in one swift movement, while giving him space often proved disastrous as Messi engineered key passes or penetrated with the ball. Averaging 2.5 successful dribbles and drawing 3.3 fouls per match, his ability to unsettle even the most organized defenses was on full display.
Messi was also one of the tournament’s most prolific creators, averaging 3 key passes per 90 minutes and attempting 4.5 shots per game. His vision opened scoring opportunities for players like Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister, further amplifying his leadership beyond statistics.
Energy Management: How Messi Maximized His Impact
A defining feature of Messi’s 2022 World Cup campaign was his strategic conservation of energy. Instead of contributing heavily to the team’s defensive pressing, Messi often strolled across the pitch when Argentina were out of possession. This approach allowed him to maintain sharpness and deliver explosive bursts of creativity when his team regained the ball.
Messi covered less ground at high intensity compared to other players, notably making more walking movements than any other outfield player at the tournament. This deliberate management of effort enabled him to compete at an elite level for the entirety of every match, even at an age when many attackers begin to wane.
Defensively, his involvement was minimal: he registered virtually no interceptions, blocks, or tackles, and was more likely to commit a tactical foul than regain possession directly. Instead, Argentina’s pressing structures adapted, with teammates ramping up the pressure depending on the game situation, while Messi focused on reading play and positioning himself for the next attacking moment.
Messi averaged 72 touches per match, reflecting his constant availability whenever Argentina controlled the ball. His signature ability to scan, anticipate, and act instantaneously allowed him to produce decisive actions such as brilliant dribbles past defenders or incisive assists, including his famous move past Josko Gvardiol and creative pass to Nahuel Molina.
The Strategic Payoff: A Tournament Defined by Intelligence and Brilliance
By minimizing defensive commitments and optimizing his attacking energy, Messi stood out as both Argentina’s creative engine and emotional leader. He took on responsibilities from set pieces—delivering corners, free kicks, and penalties—making him instrumental in almost every phase of Argentina’s offensive play.
Statistically, only Antoine Griezmann completed more key passes at the 2022 World Cup, while no player was directly involved in more goals than Messi. His leadership inspired the team to bounce back from adversity, most notably after Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match. Rather than faltering, Messi and Argentina regrouped, improved with each game, and powered through to the tournament’s decisive stages.
Conclusion: Messi’s Legacy Reaffirmed on the World Stage
Lionel Messi’s performance at the 2022 World Cup showcased a footballer at the peak of his intelligence, tailoring his game to maximize value for both himself and his team. By reducing his defensive duties, strategically conserving energy, and focusing on high-impact moments, Messi not only led Argentina’s attack but also elevated those around him. Regardless of the final outcome, his tactical evolution and inspirational presence across the tournament only further cemented his status as one of the greatest players in football history.
