World Cup for Lionel Messi?<\/a><\/p>\nSoccer is woven into Argentina\u2019s identity<\/p>\n
Soccer is less of a pastime in Argentina and more of a national obsession. <\/p>\n
Neighborhood clubs help raise players, including Messi, from childhood. <\/p>\n
Children as young as four or five years old play on some of the entry teams. <\/p>\n
The country’s history is complicated and emotional, often spilling over into sports. <\/p>\n
Economic instability, political turmoil – there were six coups in a five-decade period in the 20th century – and national pride have all shaped Argentina\u2019s relationship with soccer over the decades.<\/p>\n
The country has won three World Cup titles. <\/p>\n
Repeating at the World Cup is one of the hardest things in sports<\/p>\n
Only two countries have successfully repeated as World Cup champions.<\/p>\n
Italy did it before World War II, while Brazil accomplished the feat 60 years ago.<\/p>\n
The roster still has enough high-end talent to compete for another title, but expectations inside Argentina are enormous. Anything short of another deep tournament run will likely be viewed as disappointing.<\/p>\n
No team in South America had more points across qualifying matches than Argentina. <\/p>\n
They will enter the tournament as the number three-ranked team in the world and have the fourth-best odds to win the World Cup. <\/p>\n
More than Messi<\/p>\n
Messi remains the center of attention, even after nearly two decades at the top of world soccer.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s the only player in World Cup history to win multiple Golden Ball awards, given to the best player of the respective tournament. <\/p>\n
Argentina\u2019s World Cup victory in 2022 was the last remaining accomplishment that was missing from his resume. <\/p>\n
However, Argentina\u2019s team is more than just Messi. <\/p>\n
Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez has developed into one of the world\u2019s top attacking forwards. <\/p>\n
Lautaro Mart\u00ednez continues to provide physical scoring ability and leadership up front. <\/p>\n
Midfielders Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez and Alexis Mac Allister give Argentina control and creativity in the middle of the field.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s goalkeeper Emiliano Mart\u00ednez, whose personality and clutch performances are loved by fans but hated by opponents. <\/p>\n
He was suspended from multiple matches by FIFA in 2024 for what it deemed \u201coffensive behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a Fox Sports ranking of the Top 100 players, seven Argentines appear on the list. <\/p>\n
One of the biggest brands in sports<\/p>\n
Argentina\u2019s presence will bring international attention to Kansas City, Kansas, and the greater metro area. <\/p>\n
Messi is the most decorated player in soccer history, but Argentina is one of the biggest brands in all of sports. <\/p>\n
Ticket prices for Argentina\u2019s group match at Arrowhead Stadium are hundreds of dollars higher, for example. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kansas City sports fans understand what comes with defending a championship.The Kansas City Chiefs spent the past 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