Argentina's Lionel Messi acknowledges the crowd after they defeated Venezuela in their international friendly soccer match in Kolkata. (Reuters Photo)
KOLKATA: The Messi magic lingers on a day after his nimble feet did all the talking at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday.
He burst into life and joined other Argentine teammates in a dance in the dressing room soon after the match. But when the dust of celebration settled on the collective accomplishment, Lionel Messi told a story of a personal 'failure': Not being able to score a goal in the match. Hours after orchestrating the 1-0 win against Venezuela in the Fifa international friendly, Messi opened up before a select group of travelling journalists, talking about his "dream" start as captain of the national side on the one hand, and the disappointment of not finding the net himself.
"I want to score as many goals as possible for Argentina. And it's just not happening. But I'm happy with the result. Leading the team to any win is always satisfying," he told the scribes from Argentina.
Messi remained optimistic that the team under new coach Alejandro Sabella would put the past behind it. Sabella's appointment as Sergio Batista's replacement a couple of months ago following the Copa America disaster was something of a surprise. But Messi believes he will be able to bring a new dose of enterprise and energy to the side.
A touch of how Messi is going to flourish under the new coach was laid open during Friday's match. Sabella had set him free to roam the field, but Messi was at the heart of every Argentina move: forming the base of an attacking triangle, on the right, hanging around, trying not to draw attention as he snaked into dangerous positions and often burst into the box.
"I enjoy my role," he told the journalists. Like his coach, Messi is also on a mission, culmination of which will come in Rio de Janeiro three years from now. "It's every player's dream, first to play in the World Cup finals and win the trophy." Last year's African safari under Maradona went awry and he still nurtures the same dream. He is happy with the sobriquet of the 'Boy Wonder' of Barcelona, stressing that he has "no plans to move to their traditional rivals Real Madrid".
He burst into life and joined other Argentine teammates in a dance in the dressing room soon after the match. But when the dust of celebration settled on the collective accomplishment, Lionel Messi told a story of a personal 'failure': Not being able to score a goal in the match. Hours after orchestrating the 1-0 win against Venezuela in the Fifa international friendly, Messi opened up before a select group of travelling journalists, talking about his "dream" start as captain of the national side on the one hand, and the disappointment of not finding the net himself.
"I want to score as many goals as possible for Argentina. And it's just not happening. But I'm happy with the result. Leading the team to any win is always satisfying," he told the scribes from Argentina.
Messi remained optimistic that the team under new coach Alejandro Sabella would put the past behind it. Sabella's appointment as Sergio Batista's replacement a couple of months ago following the Copa America disaster was something of a surprise. But Messi believes he will be able to bring a new dose of enterprise and energy to the side.
A touch of how Messi is going to flourish under the new coach was laid open during Friday's match. Sabella had set him free to roam the field, but Messi was at the heart of every Argentina move: forming the base of an attacking triangle, on the right, hanging around, trying not to draw attention as he snaked into dangerous positions and often burst into the box.
"I enjoy my role," he told the journalists. Like his coach, Messi is also on a mission, culmination of which will come in Rio de Janeiro three years from now. "It's every player's dream, first to play in the World Cup finals and win the trophy." Last year's African safari under Maradona went awry and he still nurtures the same dream. He is happy with the sobriquet of the 'Boy Wonder' of Barcelona, stressing that he has "no plans to move to their traditional rivals Real Madrid".
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