Javier
Mascherano says he would settle for being Lionel Messi for just five
seconds. The midfielder is known for his way with words, for expressing
what he thinks with precision and clarity. And when the subject is his
Barcelona and Argentina team-mate, he is clearer than ever.
Mascherano
says Messi is in the form of his life, and as somebody who has been by
the No 10's side for the past five years at club level, and even longer
with the national side, it's difficult to disagree.
What
that means is Argentina are favourites to win the Copa America, with
their campaign beginning against Paraguay on Saturday night. The side is
graced with several stars in attack, from Manchester City's Sergio
Aguero to Juventus' Carlos Tevez, but Messi is on another level.
Gianluigi
Buffon described him as an alien and though he didn't beat the
goalkeeper in the Champions League final, Messi still had a hand in all
three goals that sealed an historic treble for Barcelona.
Bouncing
back from what was a poor season – judged by his own, inflated, barely
believable standards – Messi inspired his team to success across the
board in 2014-15. Now he is looking to do the same for his country.
The
last time the Albiceleste lifted a trophy was in 1993 - 22 years ago -
when they beat Mexico 2-1 in the Copa America final. The star of the
show was Gabriel Batistuta, the country's top scorer to this day, with
56 goals.
Messi
is on 45, and the idea that he could level the legendary striker during
this tournament by scoring 11 in six games, should Argentina reach the
final, is unreasonable. Or at least, would be, were Messi not Messi.
The
forward scored 11 goals in six games between November and December, and
those included games against the likes of Sevilla, Valencia and Paris
Saint-Germain. Tougher sides than Paraguay and Jamaica, with Uruguay the
stoutest test for Argentina on paper, before the knock-out stages.
Messi
is arguably in the form of his life, after adjusting to a new position
on the right. That's where he'll be playing for Argentina, with his
friend Aguero and Manchester United's Angel di Maria likely to line up
alongside him in a front three.
The
fitness regime of Luis Enrique and a strict diet routine he is
following are two given reasons he is reaching new levels. Doubtless
they have had an impact, but Mascherano believes that it is simply years
of experience adding to Messi's natural talent that have created the
monstrous force ready to take the Copa America by storm.
The
midfielder told Ole: 'Messi is in the best moment of his career. Not
because of his body, or everything that's been said [about his new
diet], but because years pass, and this is a game. With more experience,
you get a better understanding. And Leo has reinvented himself.
'From
a winger he turned into an incredible forward, a record breaker. Now he
is a total player, in every aspect of the game. Assisting, playing away
from the goal, passing, making the difference, playing one-on-one out
wide, he is a football leader. We're now enjoying a 'global' version of
Leo.'
But
one man and one man alone cannot win you a tournament. Just as Messi's
outstanding backing cast of Luis Suarez, Neymar, Ivan Rakitic, Gerard
Pique and the rest provided a platform for him to shine, his countrymen
have the ability to do the same.
Sometimes
Argentina are accused of being too top-heavy, and to some extent that
is still the case, with any flaws in the side being found at the back.
But with Mascherano, hailed as his country's outstanding player at last
summer's World Cup, Sevilla's Ever Banega and Valencia's Nicolas
Otamendi, they have a strong core.
Banega
is enjoying the best form of his career under Unai Emery, and played a
key part in Sevilla's Europa League triumph. Otamendi too is excelling,
with a £40million price-tag slapped on his head to ward off attention
from Manchester United.
Marcos
Rojo, at left-back is a potential weak point, but his City rival Pablo
Zabaleta will be a sturdy presence on the opposite flank. Javier Pastore
had a wonderful season with PSG and is starting to fulfil the great
promise that the French side thought they were getting when they
splashed £37m on him in 2011.
It
would be inaccurate to say that this Argentina side is complete, but
Tata Martino is looking to end the trophy drought and has picked players
he knows he can rely upon. While other teams use the Copa America to
start a new competitive cycle and bring through some younger players,
the likes of Luciano Vietto will have to wait their turn.
Martino
knows Saturday's opponents, Paraguay, extremely well - he was their
coach for five years, until 2011. He will know the weaknesses of the
defence, of Paulo Da Silva and Pablo Aguilar - fine players, but far
from infallible.
They
reached the final of the Copa America in 2011, but it was without
winning a game, and failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. Although
Ramon Diaz's side are not whipping boys, Messi, Aguero and Co will be
looking forward to getting their tournament underway against them at La
Serena's dainty Estadio La Portada.
With
a more balanced side and the will to end the long wait for success, it
is impossible to imagine that Argentina will not reach the semi-finals,
where, in all likelihood, they will face Brazil. And though this rivalry
will mean an intense game, where anything can happen, the Messi factor
may prove decisive.
Asked
if Messi would like to be Mascherano for a day, the former Liverpool
player replied: 'I don't think so. He does what no-one else can. He can
also do what I do. If you make Messi defend, you can't get past him.
I've seen it. You can't dribble round him.'
And
therein is the reason why Argentines believe this is the time to end
their long wait for a trophy. When Messi hit the World Cup last season,
he was out of form and physically below his best. Things couldn't be
more different this year. With the final on the exact anniversary of
their last triumph in this competition, Messi can emulate Batistuta - in
more ways than one.
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