Lionel Messi hasn't been Messi-like at Copa America, and Argentina can't afford for him to go missing against Colombia

That Ecuador game was arguably one of Messi's worst in an Argentina shirt in years. The stats, in isolation, make for grim reading. The Argentina captain touched the ball 29 times, completed 21 passes, took one shot, and didn't dribble past a single opponent. La Albiceleste's undisputed talisman was reduced to a bit-part player.

Some of the credit has to go to Ecuador. Moises Caicedo - so disappointing for Chelsea last season - shepherded Messi excellently. He barely had time to breathe. When the Argentine did the standard walking-to-get-open stuff, Caicedo simply followed him around. And when he was caught, someone else stepped in. The only real way to stop Messi is to suffocate him. Ecuador did just that.

That meant Argentina had to turn elsewhere. Lisandro Martinez took his goal well, and La Albiceleste were excellent on penalties again.

Through all of this, though, there is a real concern that Messi might not be entirely fit. He arguably hasn't been for nearly two years. We are talking about a 37-year-old, after all. Messi played almost every minute at the 2022 World Cup, and won the trophy he coveted so dearly as his reward.

But since then, he has suffered from constant injuries. First, it was his calf during his last few months at PSG in early 2023. Then it was a series of knocks for Inter Miami, loosely described as "muscle fatigue."

These are all understandable ailments for someone of his age, and with all the minutes in his legs. Messi is certainly quick and strong, but he has never been an incredible athlete, and has never had to rely on his physical attributes to be the best in the world. Still, he walks more these days, and is given nights off for Miami (something that has landed him in hot water with MLS.)

And he missed a Copa America fixture as a result, ruled out of Argentina's game with Peru. Manager Lionel Scaloni admitted just a few days before the Ecuador quarterfinal that he didn't know if Messi would be ready to play. He ultimately did, but these concerns aren't so easily ignored.

Still, watch Messi live, and you will notice everything he does off the ball. It was often remarked about Karim Benzema at Real Madrid that the striker was the best player in the world at creating space for others - knowing when to weave in and out of space, showing the world how not touching the ball can sometimes be as equally important as touching it.

That's crept into Messi's game these days. Some superstars demand the ball - and Messi often does. But he's also equally happy not to have it, to move away from play, drag a defender with him, and allow one of Argentina's other supremely talented attacking players to make something happen.

Such was the case in La Albiceleste's opening goal against Canada in the semifinal. Messi dropped away from goal. Julian Alvarez had space to run into. Rodrigo De Paul provided the pass, Alvarez held off two defenders and scored. Messi was 40 yards from the ball, but his selflessness, his willingness to get out of the way, effectively created a goal for his team.

And therein lies his impact. Even when he is touching the ball less, Messi is never static. He may walk around, but he is always on the move, constantly giving opposing defenses something to think about. Those things don't show up on the stat sheet. They're not even immediately obvious. But Messi, aware of how much attention he draws, is able to allow others to thrive.

This is not a new concept. Messi himself has acknowledged that there is a real art to his walking. He has even advised other Inter Miami players to do the same. The difference is, in recent years, he's also been able to make the most of the ball when he has it. He can be involved less, but be devastating when he's afforded the opportunity to make that happen.

The 2022 World Cup was a perfect example. Messi was the best player in the tournament by some distance, but not once was he the player with the most touches for his team. His chance creation, shot, and key pass numbers were all lower than they had been in years. The difference? Every single pass was clean, almost every opportunity was taken. He made the half chances look like easy goals, the impossible balls looked like easy assists.

No, he wasn't involved as much as he would have liked. But he maximized every opportunity when given the chance.

And that's the key distinction. Messi - and Argentina more broadly - have set up their team with the knowledge that Messi won't be involved as much. They know that he might feed off scraps, or receive the ball further away from the goal. But now, with a Copa America trophy on the line, he needs to recapture that missing spark.

And it's not just Argentina. Playing this final in Miami is more than meaningful, as the Inter Miami star has become the de facto ambassador for MLS - a litmus test for the quality of play in the league. Pressure doesn't really exist for Messi, but MLS certainly needs the legendary Argentine to perform, if only to prove that they are a quality home for Messi.

So far, that magic has been missing. The reigning Ballon d'Or holder has only scored once in the tournament - a flimsy sort of deflected tap-in off a misguided shot. They all count, of course - and there's something to be said for getting into the right area. But it didn't feel like a very Messi goal. What's missing is the signature Messi moment.

Thus far in the tournament, there hasn't been anything akin to the arrowed shot into the bottom corner against Mexico in Qatar, or the delightful assist against the Netherlands two weeks later.

It seems odd to say, but with the ball at his feet, Messi hasn't really been a game-changing player.

That all has to change. Colombia will present a different kind of challenge. La Albiceleste's run to the Copa America final has been admittedly kind. Ecuador were a tricky opponent, but Canada were never really going to push them in the semifinal (Jesse Marsch's miniature revolution notwithstanding.)

This Colombia team, though, are very, very good. Los Cafeteros haven't lost in 28 games. They are led by a rejuvenated James Rodriguez - yes, that James Rodriguez - who has six assists to his name. Luis Diaz is a formidable winger, while Jefferson Lerma, Davidson Sanchez and Carlos Cuesta have held down an excellent defensive unit. Ecuador were good, but Colombia is vastly better.

There's no real room for error here. Messi's big game performances, historically, have been impressive. He was immense in the 2022 World Cup final, and made many-a Clasico his own when he played for Barcelona.

He has been trolled for his rare poor showings, but he has a career worth of proof that he can rise to big occasions. And he will have to find that missing spark once again if Argentina are to hold onto their status as Copa America champions.