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Mona
“I'm the best player in the world, Ronaldo and Messi are from another planet,” says Neymar, and football fans all over the world nod to that.
Only as FIFA World Cup 2018 kicked off, while Cristiano Ronaldo has kept his fans regaled with is prowess in the field, Messi and his team is yet to score to surge ahead in the game.
His fans obviously are a bundle of nerves as the two games Argentina vs Nigeria and Croatia vs Iceland on Tuesday seal the team’s fate and Lionel Messi’s chance at holding the Cup. Anxious, excited before the significant match, the fans from tricity share their take.
Messi can still do magic
I am pretty positive that on Tuesday the scale will tilt in Messi’s favour. It’s a do or die situation. Whatever been the shortcomings in hitting the winning mark, the team has to put its act together now. Messi sure has nothing to lose, all to gain — a shining world cup at that!
– Tushar, web developer
Double celebrations
Full disclosure: I have not been able to sleep last few nights. The moment you switch off for the day, my palpitations go up on what would happen. Would you believe in all my years of Messi following, it’s the first time that we didn’t had a birthday celebrations for him. Let him win and then we can have double celebrations. Messi’s critics must be stopped from trolling him, and that’s only possible if he wins next game. I am hoping that he will be reserving his team’s spot in next game.
– Raghav Sharma, student, PGGC-11
Unfair comparison
For the two matches today I would be sitting on the edge of my seat. Messi’s stats speak for him but then why don’t the critics see that he barely got the ball this time. Even his team goalkeeper had more touches than him. And, we must admit that he’s vertically challenged (at 5.5 feet he sure cannot take aerial passes as his competitors stand tall at 6.5 feet). Such a wrong comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo who is not only 6.13 feet but also jumps higher than NBA players. Add to it, coach Jorge Sampaoli and his total lack of expertise at making this star studded team give their best. Still I am hopeful that surmounting the odds, Messi would shine.
– Jatin Kumar, CPO, Limit Infinity
Nothing less than the cup
In a match, one must not lose spirit. Not only shall we win the next game but the World Cup for sure. Messi has overcome larger blocks like growth hormone deficiency when young; this is a minor issue. He sure is exceptional, incredible, magnificent, sensational and a super human that we would see in the ongoing FIFA WC. Not only this cup belongs to Argentina, Messi would be raring at his second shot at it in 2022.
– Pranay Tewari, Hotelier
The pressure is mounting
My game is basketball, but I do have a keen interest in football. Both games are like life, they require perseverance, hardwork and last but not the least, respect for one’s country. Messi looks broken. We cannot hold him completely responsible for the last match’s humiliation. When Sampaoli was tasked to coach Argentina, he mentioned that he will build the team around Messi and give him the best possible combination of players. We have seen anything but that. All the criticism from the last match can wash away if Messi and co. gets a victory and hope Iceland doesn’t edge out Croatia. Time for the legend to soak up the pressure and do it well.
- Vinay Punia, Basketball coach
He can do it!
Messi and Ronaldo make the legends of my time. Last World Cup Ronaldo could not strike his magic, this time Messi is struggling, but that doesn’t make him any less of a star. Those who say that he gives his best in the Club miss the point that he is not getting the formation to strike in this team. Still, an ardent fan of his, I believe he would turn around Argentinean fortune.
Jigyasa Dwivedi, student, MCM 36
Against all odds
Often when looking at Lionel Messi we picture an idol. We imagine that the pressure on him is unequal because of his fame and financial stakes. When playing for his country, he has to face pressure and criticism which is difficult for any human being to withstand. As Sampaoli states, “Messi has a revolver put to his head called the World Cup and if he doesn’t’ win it, he’s shot.” I am still positive.- - Navneet Kaur, Advocate
Shine bright
Ronaldo has cemented his position with a hattrick, its Messi’s time to excel on Tuesday. All his fans are watching and wishing him well. This world’s top player would sure rise up to the occasion and fulfil all expectations.
- Karanbir Singh, fashion photographer
mona@tribunemail.com
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