Sportsbook fans know that if Argentina wins the World Cup then it is very likely that Lionel Messi is going to have a huge tournament. Argentina is not the favorite at the offshore sportsbook to win the World Cup but they are a contender, largely because they have Messi.
Sportsbook odds have Argentina as the fourth choice behind Spain, Brazil and England. Argentina is trying to win its first World Cup since 1986 and Messi is the only reason Argentina is in the discussion as a team that can win the title this year. “I want to create my own story,” said Messi, “I’ll keep going on as I always do-keep myself isolated from all of the talk and try to play and do my best on the field.” Messi has been the best player in the world this year. He scored four goals in Barcelona’s win over Arsenal earlier this year. “He’s unbelievable, a soccer player who comes along every 25, 30 years,” Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez said. “He scores goals, pressures, defends. He’s the best.”
Argentina lost the 2007 Copa America to Brazil by a score of 3-0 in offshore sportsbook odds and Messi didn’t do a whole lot. He is very capable of having a huge World Cup though. “Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win,” Messi said, “I’ve always had this ability to get up and get on with it.”
Diego Maradona is the coach of Argentina’s team and he has not always known how to handle Messi. Barcelona’s coach Pep Guardiola has handled the star beautifully and Barcelona has benefited. “The key to Messi is Messi. There’s no other,” Guardiola said. “It’s just he’s so good. He’s ambitious, talented, a winner, competitive. He loves Barcelona and his country. He always wants to do well, always wants to play.”
The problem at times for Messi with the Argentina team is his teammates. He does not have as much talent as what he has on Barcelona and Maradona does not use him effectively. That needs to change if Argentina is to have a chance in this year’s World Cup. They open up Group B play against Nigeria on June 12th. They will also be playing Greece and South Korea in group play. Argentina is a -230 favorite at the sportsbook to win Group B. Nigeria is the second choice at +405 with Greece at +575 and South Korea at +950.