| Messi |
With three games remaining of the notoriously difficult South American qualifying competition, the Albiceleste sit on top already assured of at least a playoff place.
If Uruguay fail to win their next clash—a tough home meeting with Colombia—the team will book its tickets to Brazil 2014 without the need to kick another ball. Messi's excellent contribution, with eight goals so far, was to be expected, but the way other stars have stepped up has been infinitely encouraging for Argentina fans.
There are players such as Gonzalo Higuain, whose nine goals put him at the top of the scoring charts, while Angel Di Maria—the link between attack and midfield—has wreaked havoc with his strong bursts down the left.
Then there are Sergio Aguero, Fernando Gago and Ezequiel Garay—the list of talents who have stood up to be counted is testament both to their love of the shirt and also Sabella's gifts both tactically and as a motivator.
Even without Messi, as the side demonstrated in a 2-1 victory away to Italy in August, Argentina can now feel confident of taking on the world's best and coming out on top.
Nothing is assured still. Brazil will be a formidable prospect on home soil, and with the likes of Neymar, Oscar, Lucas Moura and new discovery Bernard looking for glory, they will be still be the team to beat. In defence as well, their brilliant back four outstrips any that Argentina can put on the field.
But as a team, it is the Albiceleste who hold the advantage. With the best player in the world calling the shots and driving his team forward, Argentina right now hold a slight edge over their archrivals to the north just under a year from the big kickoff.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/
Tags : brazil, brazil 2014, argetina team, brazil team, world cup,messi
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