CORDOBA:Lionel Messi finally played up to expectations Monday, right in time to help Argentina into the quarterfinals of the Copa America.
He set up two goals and played at the vaunted level he so often displays with his club Barcelona but which sometimes has eluded him on the international stage with Argentina.
The crowd packing the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes loudly supported the playmaker, chanting “Ole, ole, ole, ole… Messi, Messi.” That was a marked contrast to some of the boos and whistles that accompanied the team’s in its opening two games; something Messi appreciated.
“I want to thank the Cordoba people for the way they treated everyone, especially me,” Messi said. “We needed this kind of attention.”
Messi was quiet in Argentina’s draws against Bolivia and Colombia, but on Monday he showed why he is considered by many to be the best player in the world. “Lionel knows how to overcome these situations, he has personality to overcome them and today he showed it on the field,” said Argentina coach Sergio Batista. “He played a tremendous match.”
“Today he played in a different position and had more space when he received the ball,” Batista added. (Agencies)