"Messi = Argentina's Tactics" Officially Proven: "Involved in a Staggering 61% of Attacks" — FIFA Analysis Leaves Experts Awestruck... "The No. 1 Tactical Figure for the Argentine National Team"

*This content was translated by AI.

A formal analysis by the International Football Federation (FIFA) revealed that Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) held an absolute share of Argentina's attacking development at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. The assessment noted that his involvement extended beyond simple goal and assist statistics, deeply penetrating every stage from playmaking to finishing.

Spain's "Sport" reported on the 5th (Korean time), citing FIFA's 2026 World Cup technical analysis report, that "Messi was involved in 61.5% of Argentina's successful attacking possessions."

The "successful possession" defined by the report refers to entering the final third (attacking area), entering the penalty box, delivering crosses, and creating shots. This figure demonstrates that Messi did not merely put the finishing touch on attacks but was broadly present in every process where the team advanced to threaten the opponent.

Messi recorded 8 goals and 4 assists in this tournament, ranking second in scoring, but the FIFA Technical Study Group focused on his link-up play, which holds value beyond just goal-scoring.

The core lay in the "freedom" granted to Messi. Playing as a central forward, Messi frequently dropped into the space between midfielders and the opposing defense to receive the ball. Serving as the focal point of central link-up play, he connected the team's ball possession with pressure release and advancement.

Argentina always routed through Messi when heading toward the penalty box. Messi penetrated spaces to lead connections with midfielders and drew defenders in, adding continuity to attacks. The report stated that "Messi's level of involvement in the process from entering the final third to scoring significantly exceeded the average of attacking players participating in the tournament."

"Sport" explained, "This was the result of a tactical structure designed to maximize central attacks. When Argentina concentrated players in the center and spread fullbacks wide to disperse the opposing defense, Messi and midfielders organically swapped positions to create passing options."

His tactical value in defensive situations was also high. When Argentina defended in their own half, Messi remained alone up front, waiting as the first pass recipient. By receiving a pass immediately after Argentina won the ball back, the team could launch quick counterattacks before the opposing defense could reorganize. FIFA evaluated this as "a tactical decision to leave an attacking focal point in front of the defensive block."

The report also acknowledged the contributions of Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul to midfield control and advancement. However, Messi's record of being responsible for more than 6 out of 10 successful attacking possessions summarizes the immense responsibility he bore. "Sport" reported that "Argentina still fully relied on Messi for the role of tying together the beginning and end of play."

Meanwhile, Messi, who was the entirety of Argentina's tactics, is approaching his farewell stage with the national team. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has confirmed that the friendly match against Benin to be held in Buenos Aires on the 6th will serve as Messi's international farewell match, following his announcement of retirement from the Choi Geun (CEO) team. The AFA will invite all members of the 2022 Qatar World Cup winning squad to mark the occasion. Messi is scheduled to take the microphone himself after the match ends to deliver a retirement message to home fans. With this match, Messi will retire from the Argentine jersey, leaving behind the remarkable record of 125 goals in 207 career international matches (A-matches).

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*This content was translated by AI.