The Irish Times

Ravenous, disconnected, introverted, a leader: the enigma of Messi

He functions best in a well-oiled machine, a concept that’s difficult to match with Argentina

Fri Jun 15 2018 - 19:15

Brazil return to Belo Horizonte hoping to banish 7-1 demons

Win over struggling rivals Argentina would help heal wounds of Germany thrashing

Wed Nov 09 2016 - 12:58

Magic Messi steals the show to win over hostile Chile crowd

Argentina’s number 10 wasn’t on scoresheet against Paraguay but orchestrated 6-1 win

Wed Jul 01 2015 - 12:01

Carlos Tevez a reckless danger on and off the pitch

Juventus forward reborn in Serie A but has always struggled with self-destructuve streak

Wed May 13 2015 - 11:57

Luis Suárez omitted from Ballon d’Or nominees

Gareth Bale the only British player included on the 23-man list, with Cristiano Ronaldo the clear favourite

Tue Oct 28 2014 - 11:31

Brazil revels in Argentina’s World Cup final misfortune

Maradona returns fire by bringing up host nation’s 7-1 defeat to Germany

Tue Jul 15 2014 - 01:00

Brazilian fans cry for Argentina. Not

Locals happy to cheer semi-final conquerors Germany as old enemy leave empty-handed

Sun Jul 13 2014 - 23:52

Sabella looking to ‘86 for Argentine inspiration

Carlos Bilardo’s side beat West Germany 3-2 in the final in Mexico 28 years ago

Sat Jul 12 2014 - 22:41

Joachim Löw aims to make history and build on it

Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez chasing ‘revenge’ for 2006 and 2010 defeats

Sat Jul 12 2014 - 19:52

No fun being in the wrong place at the right time

Being 600km away from that mesmeric 7-1 hammering was strangely revealing

Sat Jul 12 2014 - 12:03

German might likely to see off Messi-inspired Argentina

Devoted fans set to get behind South American finalists

Sat Jul 12 2014 - 01:00

Argentina Press hail Sergio Romero’s “Hands of God”

In the Netherlands Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf lamented the end of a dream

Thu Jul 10 2014 - 15:48

Argentina to meet Germany in World Cup final

Sergio Romero the hero as goalkeeper saves two Dutch penalties after goalless 120 minutes

Thu Jul 10 2014 - 00:37

Javier Mascherano proving to be Argentina’s real leader

Despite Lionel Messi wearing the armband midfielder displays his own brand of leadership

Wed Jul 09 2014 - 05:00

Argentina’s euphoria not mirrored by Brazil after loss of Neymar

Fascinating contrast in emotions of two South American powerhouses ahead of World cup semi-finals

Sun Jul 06 2014 - 15:04

Power of one won’t be enough for Argentina

Argentina need to be more than just Messi and Belgium need to pull together

Sat Jul 05 2014 - 14:08

Joachim Löw’s Germany face up to their moment of truth against France

Has the Germany coach brought his much-admired team as far as they can go?

Fri Jul 04 2014 - 04:00

Argentina saved by an Angel

Critics less than impressed by Argentina as they stumbled into the quarter-finals yesterday

Wed Jul 02 2014 - 12:41

Lack of quality adds to Messi’s heavy burden

Argentina needs a few more stars to come out to play in Brazil

Wed Jul 02 2014 - 08:36

‘You have to win games on the minor details’

Messi relieved as Argentina clear tricky Swiss hurdle

Wed Jul 02 2014 - 06:00

Di Maria’s late winner puts Argentina into last eight

High-wire act survives again as South Americans strike late in extra-time to see off brave Switzerland

Wed Jul 02 2014 - 01:00

Angel Di Maria edges Argentina past Switzerland

Lionel Messi sets up late winner in extra-time after finally finding some space

Tue Jul 01 2014 - 20:12

Messi issues edict on formation ahead of crunch Switzerland fixture

Argentina’s taciturn midfield maestro confirms preferred team shape of 4-3-3

Tue Jul 01 2014 - 01:00

Argentina and Nigeria wrap up Group F with more goals

Still doubts over Lionel Messi’s supporting cast as Sabella’s side leak lose way without him

Wed Jun 25 2014 - 19:22

Argentina can reach full potential – Lionel Messi

Both South Americans and Nigeria have something to prove in Porto Alegre

Tue Jun 24 2014 - 19:48

Argentina FA boss blames presence of Maradona for poor showing

Former star responds by showing Julio ‘Don’ Grondona the finger on television

Sun Jun 22 2014 - 14:40

Lionel Messi not shy about preferred 4-3-3 formation as Argentina face Iran

“We are Argentina, we should not be concerned with how our rivals play,” he said at a press conference

Sat Jun 21 2014 - 10:15

Ronaldo the individual no match for Germany’s collective might

World Player of the Year’s superpowers deserted him on a bad day out

Tue Jun 17 2014 - 02:28

Messi eventually finds his feet for the long haul

Tom Hennigan at the legendary Maracanã Stadium sees Argentine gradually rise to occasion

Mon Jun 16 2014 - 07:11

Untidy stuff all round but Messi rescues Argentina

La Albiceleste off colour as Bosnia prove formidable but Barca man’s magic decides it in their favour

Mon Jun 16 2014 - 01:13

Pressure on Messi to perform on the world’s greatest stage

‘I believe I have learnt from my errors in previous tournaments and I will not repeat them’

Sat Jun 14 2014 - 21:48

Argentina - Team Profile

Twice champions, twice runners-up, and only Brazil, Italy and Germany have appeared in more finals

Thu Jun 05 2014 - 18:11

Argentina’s preparations gather pace

Lionel Messi not on the scoresheet but his side cruise to a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago

Thu Jun 05 2014 - 15:21

Messi out of Argentina’s friendly against Italy

Barcelona star meets Pope Francis before friendly but will miss match with muscle fatigue

Tue Aug 13 2013 - 16:25