When Argentina got 0-3 crushed against Croatia in Group D match of FIFA World Cup 2018, these words from Lionel Messi would have played in every Argentine fan’s mind, on a loop: “My future will depend It on how far we go, how we're going to finish at the finals. We’ve lost three finals in a row.”
When Argentina got 0-3 crushed against Croatia in Group D match of FIFA World Cup 2018, these words from Lionel Messi would have played in every Argentine fan’s mind, on a loop: “My future will depend It on how far we go, how we're going to finish at the finals. We’ve lost three finals in a row.”
This was Messi’s reply when the press questioned him about his international future before the World cup 2018 began earlier this month.
Messi sloped off down the tunnel in Nizhny Novgorod with his head bowed, knowing Argentina face the humiliation of a group-stage exit at the World Cup in Russia.
The Barcelona star was silenced by a far superior Croatia side in a brutal 3-0 defeat that left the South Americans needing an unlikely series of results to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.
The World Cup is likely to lose the man who -- along with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo -- has dominated and defined football for a decade.
Messi is just days short of his 31st birthday. We may be witnessing him on football's biggest stage for the final time -- a talent curiously unfulfilled at international level despite his astonishing feats for his club.
Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final 1-0 to Germany after extra time, before suffering successive defeats by Chile on penalties in Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016.
After missing a penalty in the opening 1-1 draw with Iceland in Argentina's first game in Russia, there was little doubt Messi was looking to atone against Croatia.
But he appeared tense even before kick-off, his body language betraying a man feeling the weight of expectations as he nervously rubbed his forehead amid deep contemplation during the national anthems.
An early darting run within seconds of the start suggested it could be his night, but it was not to be. Messi was almost invisible as he was restricted to just 20 touches in an alarmingly subdued first half.
Only strike partner Sergio Aguero (seven) was less involved, with even goalkeeper Willy Caballero seeing the ball more frequently.
However, the game is not over for Argentina yet. They can still qualify for the last 16, if:
►Iceland tie or lose to Nigeria on Friday.
►Croatia then need to beat or tie Iceland.
►Argentina must to beat Nigeria.
In case, Iceland defeat Nigeria on Friday, there still will be a slight chance for La Albiceleste to make it for the quarter-finals, which would rely on them beating Nigeria, Iceland losing to Croatia and then it would come down to a tiebreaker, since both teams would be on four points.
Goal difference would decide it at that point, and if goal difference is the same, then it will go to yellow cards, of which Argentina has more than a few.
If none of the above happens, Argentina are eliminated.
If that happens, the world might have watched the little genius Messi in Argentine colours for the very last time!
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 "Is Messi nearing his 2nd retirement?")
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