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If Lionel Messi wants to win the World Cup at the last attempt, he needs to match Gareth Bale and produce in the big moments! Sportsmail’s writers discuss the Argentine star’s chances of glory in Qatar in today’s WORLD CUP CONFIDENTIAL
- Lionel Messi probably has one last chance to win the World Cup with Argentina
- The 35-year-old attacker will face Saudi Arabia in Argentina’s first game on Tuesday
- Sportsmail’s Martin Samuel thinks the striker should try and emulate Gareth Bale
- The Wales captain scored a vital equalizer against the USA in Monday’s 1-1 draw
- To lead Argentina to victory, Messi, like Bale, must act in the greatest moments
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, schedules, live action and results
Lionel Messi will lead Argentina to World Cup glory if he matches the match-winning skills of Gareth Bale, who was displayed in Wales’ crucial 1-1 draw against the US on Monday.
The Wales captain won and dispatched a late penalty to equalize after Timothy Weah’s first-half opener, keeping Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages in Group B alive and well.
Sports emails Martin Samuel believes Messi should become to Argentina what Bale is to Wales, channeling the Welshman’s ability to perform in the biggest moments.
Lionel Messi is making a bid to win the World Cup in what promises to be his last attempt in Qatar
Gareth Bale (L) scored a vital equalizer from the spot as Wales drew 1-1 with the USA on Monday
Daily Mail columnist Samuel spoke as part of Sports mail and MailPlusdaily videocast ‘World Cup confidential’. It will appear on MailOnline every morning of the tournament and can be found on our YouTube channel.
When asked if he thought Messi could win his first World Cup in Qatar, Samuel replied: “You never know. But the man he should be trying to emulate is Gareth Bale. Because Gareth Bale found a way to get into a game from scratch yesterday.
And throughout his career, towards the end of his career, Gareth Bale has found a way to insert himself into the story.
“You have the MLS last season, didn’t play 90 minutes at all for his club in the season, go into extra time, score the equalizer, they win the MLS Cup.
“That’s the kind of thing you want from a player like Lionel Messi. He can’t be the man he was 10 years ago, he really can’t, but what he can be is that guy. That guy who can define the match when you really, really need it.
The 35-year-old attacker will take on Tuesday in the opening match of the World Cup in Argentina against Saudi Arabia
And Cristiano Ronaldo the same. I’m not sure he’s potentially as powerful as Lionel Messi at the moment, but that quality that great players have when they decide they’re not going to lose a game.
That’s what Gareth Bale has: I’m not going to lose this game, we’re not going to lose this.
“He found a way to give Wales a point last night. It won’t work for him every night, but it worked last night and it works quite a lot for him. And that’s what you want from Messi for Argentina.’
Messi’s World Cup bid begins as Argentina take on Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opener on Tuesday.
The Argentine superstar won his first major international trophy in 2021, after his country defeated Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final last September.
Despite being widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Messi has yet to add the World Cup to his illustrious portfolio of trophies.