MANCHESTER: Lionel Messi begins his road to World Cup redemption on Friday as Argentina take on Italy in a glamor friendly at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, desperate to win a major international prize to crown his glorious career.
In Barcelona’s colors, Messi has experienced nothing but success, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns, while earning FIFA’s Ballon d’Or award five times.
But pulling on Argentina’s blue-and-white striped shirt has brought the forward some of the most painful moments of his career.
Rarely able to hit the same heights with Argentina that he routinely scales with Barcelona, Messi has endured stinging
criticism from Albiceleste fans at times.
Nobody would dispute Messi’s status as one of the all-time greats, but many in Argentina believe he cannot be considered on the same level as Diego Maradona until he wins a major honor with his country, as his compatriot did at the 1986 World Cup.
Rubbing salt into those wounds, Messi has lost in three successive major finals with Argentina as the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa America titles slipped from his grasp.
“I cried many times because of games like these, for lost finals, for what they mean and for not being able to achieve the dream of a country. It was a hard blow to take,” Messi recently told Argentine television program La Cornisa.
The last World Cup was devastating to Messi as he missed a golden opportunity to put Argentina ahead in the final against Germany, who went on to win 1-0 in extra-time.
As if that was not bad enough, for the first time in his career, he missed in a penalty shootout when Argentina were beaten by Chile in the Copa America final two years ago.
Although Messi is still in his prime, the 30-year-old realizes the World Cup, which starts in June, could represent his last chance to hoist the gold trophy.
He will be approaching the twilight of his career by the time the 2022 edition kicks off in Qatar.
Messi will have also noted that key Argentina teammates Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi and Javier Mascherano will all be 30 or over this year.
“Obviously, we depend on results and therefore the thinking in this group is that having got to three finals and not being able to win and even then people say a lot of things about us, if we are not champions then we won’t have another one (opportunity),”
Messi said.
Having edged through to the World Cup thanks to Messi’s treble in a 3-1 qualifying win over Ecuador in October, Argentina are focused on peaking in Russia, where they will play Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria in the group stage. First up is an intriguing test against an Italy side that failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli believes the match at Manchester City’s ground will help to sharpen his side before a second friendly in Spain next week.
“Each match and training session is fundamental for us in preparation for the World Cup. Playing against Italy, in a venue as important as Etihad Stadium, is an invitation to a great event,” he said.
“Every Argentine in the world wants to be there when the national team plays. We are certain they will accompany us for this one.”
'Devastated' Lionel Messi chases elusive World Cup glory
'Devastated' Lionel Messi chases elusive World Cup glory
McPeek calls on multiple Saudi champion Alfouraidi
- Local hero to partner Very Connected in Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday Feb. 14
RIYADH: Legendary American trainer Kenny McPeek has chosen multiple Saudi Arabian Champion Jockey Adel Alfouraidi to team up with his Very Connected (US) in the group three Saudi Derby presented by ZOOD Realty at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday Feb. 14.
The Kentucky Derby-winning handler decided to go with the local knowledge and expertise of Alfouraidi, according to a recent release.
McPeek, who recently starred in the hit Netflix horseracing documentary, “Race For The Crown,” said: “I offered the ride to Joel Rosario but he already had a ride, so I offered it to (Jose) Ortiz but his Saudi Cup mount scratched and he isn’t going now.
“So I didn’t know who to use and was fiddling around looking at options.”
McPeek, a multiple grade one-winning trainer, added: “I didn’t know if it was best to use a rider who knows the track and the conformation there, or use a rider who knows the horse, and I decided to find a local rider.”
“Adel is the leading rider there and has been champion jockey. He’s a young gun, has talent, knows the place and has got two weeks to get to know the horse too.
“I have told him to get familiarized with Very Connected. He can go and see him any time and my staff will look after him and he will ride work on him, then he can go and do his thing in the race itself.
“I wasn’t sure which jockeys would be coming from the US and this way I don’t have a worry about a jockey getting off a long flight and travelling internationally.”
Very Connected is a son of Connect (US), whose one win in six starts came in a Churchill maiden and was last seen running fifth in the Listed Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds in December.
Of the horse’s Saudi Derby claims, McPeek said: “He is an outside chance. He needs early pace and he should get it. The longer stretch will suit him and if he gets pace in the first part of the race he will be running on late.”
The winner of the Saudi Derby will earn 30 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
McPeek will be represented once again in The Saudi Cup with Rattle N Roll (US), another son of Connect, and the Lexington-based handler has reasons to believe he can improve on last year’s fifth-place finish behind Forever Young (JPN).
On that occasion Rattle N Roll, who is part owned by Saudi Arabia businessman Sharaf Al-Hariri, qualified by winning The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup a month earlier.
This time he will have had a nine-week spell after taking the Listed Tinsel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Dec. 12, 2025.
“I think he will run much better and behind Forever Young it is a wide-open race,” added McPeek.
“If Forever Young doesn’t run his best then it won’t be a surprise to see him run really well as I have never had him better and I am excited. His races are spaced out better this year, he’s a hard knocker and he holds his form well.”
McPeek is unsure if he will make the journey on this occasion after recent surgery to his neck and back.
He added: “I really enjoyed my visit last year but I don’t think I can make it this time. The people were so kind and generous and it was a great experience.”
