The greatest of all time isn't really helping his greatest supporters. Lionel Messi isn't propping up the romantic narrative about himself. He's not playing well. SEMI-FINAL BRAZIL ARGENTINA At a Copa America that has often been less entertaining than a washing machine's spin cycle, Messi is hanging us out to dry. He's messing with his own cover story, the one about the rose among thorns, the G.O.A.T. among donkeys. The right player in the wrong team felt so unfair, so much so that he's usually been given a pass. Robert Downey Jr wouldn't look Oscar-worthy in an amateur production staged in at a Community Centre. Why should we expect anything more of Messi with Argentina, particularly as he prepares to face hosts Brazil in the Copa America semi-finals this morning (Singapore time)? But the eternal defence of the disadvantaged genius holds only if the disadvantaged one is playing like a genius. He's not. One goal in the … [Read more...] about Neil Humphreys: The end of a flagging Lionel Messi looms large
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Thiago Silva not lulled by Lionel Messi’s Copa America struggles
By his own admission, Lionel Messi has not been at his best at the Copa America, but Brazil defender Thiago Silva says his side will not take their eyes off the Argentina captain for a minute in their semi-final on Wednesday morning (Singapore time). "He is the best player in the world and he still could spring to life," said Silva, ahead of the first Copa America tie between the sides since the 2007 final, which Brazil won 3-0. "We will have to be especially focused on him when we have the ball and when we don't. "Sometimes he can be at walking pace during a game, but he's always looking for space to launch a counter-attack. "It's a privilege to be able to face him again and we'll have to try and put the brakes on him." Messi has scored just once in the tournament - from the penalty spot - and has acknowledged he is not playing at his usual level. He had only three shots during his side's 2-0 win over Venezuela in the quarter-finals, none of which hit the target. "This is the match … [Read more...] about Thiago Silva not lulled by Lionel Messi’s Copa America struggles
Neil Humphreys: Stop expecting Lionel Messi miracles
Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi have something in common. They're not always comfortable playing with Nicolas Otamendi. It's nothing personal. It's just that Otamendi represents two teams in transition. For Manchester City, he's a no-frills defender left over from the kind of team that the treble winners once were. For Argentina, he's a rudimentary reminder of what the South Americans still are. The threat of human error is never far away. With City, Otamendi plays when others are injured. With Argentina, Otamendi plays because there's no one else. Guardiola can sign replacements, but Messi, 32, is stuck with Otamendi, the two men joined by their passports. Their lacklustre 2-0 victory against Qatar yesterday morning (Singapore time) in the Copa America secured safe passage to the knockout stages, but there was more huffing and puffing than a stage show of the Three Little Pigs. BLUNT FORCE Once again, Messi is the easy target for those content to focus on the legend rather than the … [Read more...] about Neil Humphreys: Stop expecting Lionel Messi miracles
Lionel Messi bitter about Colombia defeat in Copa America opener
Argentina's opening defeat in the Copa America - a 2-0 loss to Colombia despite dominating the second half yesterday morning (Singapore time) - has left La Albiceleste feeling bitter, said captain Lionel Messi. Goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata in the final 20 minutes gave Colombia their first tournament victory over Argentina in 20 years, as Messi's hopes of finally landing a major international trophy - after losing in four finals - suffered a serious blow. "We leave here feeling bitter," said Messi, after the Group B clash in Salvador. "In the second half, we had our chances." One of the best of those fell to the 31-year-old Barcelona icon, but he headed wide after Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina got down quickly to push out a header from centre-back Nicolas Otamendi. Although Argentina dominated possession and created more chances in the second half, they rarely caused Ospina any serious concerns. "We didn't want to start this way, obviously, but now we have to lift our … [Read more...] about Lionel Messi bitter about Colombia defeat in Copa America opener
Lionel Messi to launch a fashion line
On Wednesday, Women's Wear Daily (WWD) has reported that the Argentinian soccer star is collaborating with MGO (whose chief creative officer is none other than Tommy Hilfiger's sister Ginny Hilfiger) to create his own line of ready-to-wear. The first collections will be on sale starting this summer, on an online platform dubbed "The Messi Store." While soccer and fashion have fastened their bonds in recent years, few could say they saw this one coming: FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi is, indeed, launching his own fashion line. We'll have to wait until the summer to see what the striker has come up with in partnership with MGO, under the direction of Ginny Hilfiger, whose brother happens to be Tommy Hilfiger. For the time being, there has been very little information about famous Argentinian soccer player's fashion line. WWD has confirmed that it will be primarily focused around sportswear-inspired menswear, with a few pieces dedicated to women. Read also: Superhero Ronaldo takes … [Read more...] about Lionel Messi to launch a fashion line