The Consequences of "Messidependency" Surge Through Argentina

In the wake of Argentina's shaky-at-best World Cup qualifying run, the people of Argentina are looking for a scapegoat, a person on whom they can place for their string of defeats and ties.

So who do they blame? Leonel Messi. Yes, I said it. The people of Argentina are blaming the best player in the world for their defeats. No one else on the team, apparently, is taking the heat in Argentina as bad as Messi is.

This really angers me because this is exactly what screwed Barcelona over right before Messi tore a muscle in his thigh in the Celtic CL game in the beginning of '08. It was all downhill from there for Barca, who had basically built their entire team around the striker. Well, Maradona is guilty of exactly the same thing. The kid was hailed as his prodigy, his successor, so I guess(?) it was natural for Maradona to believe that Messi could carry the team like he did.

Well, Messi is only 22. He only turned 22 in June. Yes, he's the best striker in the world, which is an amazing feat to achieve at such a young age. But to be asked to carry a team? He's not even the captain! Javier Mascherano is! I read an article once that said Messi asked Maradona not to appoint him captain because he didn't think he had the leadership qualities to lead the team. And yet, he's taking the heat for their losses like he is captain.

I think that it's grossly unfair to blame the loss of a game on one player. Tevez, Mascherano, Gago, Aguero, none of them are being asked why their performance is shaky; nor does the public of Argentina believe that any of them play purposefully play better at their clubs teams than for the national team, but they're asking that of Messi.

Now, I understand that qualifying for the World Cup is a huge deal for Argentina, but I think they have to take a step back and realize that there are 10 other players on the field with Messi who have not scored goals, just like Messi. There are subs on the bench who aren't making crazy hat tricks and having multiple-goal games, just like Messi.

He's 22, people. Realize that he's trying his hardest. He asked to miss Barca games to play for his country, something he almost never does. Cut him some slack and applaud him for trying his hardest.