How Argentina put ‘Ferraris’ around Lionel Messi to make him even better – with secrets of 2022 World Cup success revealed

The mercurial frontman was not to be denied in Qatar, with his remarkable efforts guiding the Albiceleste to a stunning global crown in the Middle East. Messi led by example throughout, netting in every knockout game – including two in the final – and held his nerve during an epic penalty shootout with France.

Argentina found a way of bringing the very best out of their captain, with energy being conserved at times as other did running for him. Matias Manna, a video analyst within Lionel Scaloni’s coaching team, has told Urbana Play of how that was made possible: “I was always very obsessed with seeing what he needed in the team. And Messi needs good midfielders. The best squad we saw, which for me was in the 2022 World Cup or the current one, surrounds him with good midfielders, and that is one of the secrets of this team.”

He added: “Alexis (Mac Allister), (Leandro) Paredes, Enzo (Fernandez), (Rodrigo) De Paul, Gio (Lo Celso) are all Ferraris who know how to stop and accelerate. Other more physical players do not have that quality that I think is the essence of our football.”

Manna added on how Messi’s input before a ball was kicked against France helped to put Argentina in a position to win the game, with another long-serving veteran playing a key role as he also hit the back of the net in normal time: “We were watching France-Morocco. There was a player, Sofiane Boufal, who constantly outplayed (Jules) Kounde, the French right back. So there, Lio tells me, if Angel [Di Maria] plays, he has to play on that side. I think it was the most important decision in the history of Argentine football.”

Messi got his hands on the World Cup trophy - emulating countryman Diego Maradona in the process – and has since gone on to land his eighth Ballon d’Or. He is also in the running for the 2023 FIFA Best Men’s Player award and will be looking to chase down more major honours with MLS side Inter Miami in 2024.