A Messi of great expectations

By Emerald Gao
Written on June 11, 2007

Going along with tonight's theme of athletes breaking the boundaries of escapism: Lionel Messi. His goal against Getafe had people gasping about '86 Maradona, but his most recent "effort" at the weekend was a more realistic reminder, in my opinion, of the Maradona who took liberties with the rules in the search for glory. In interviews, Messi appears humbled by comparisons to Maradona, but I wonder how much media attention and hype he can ignore. This season I've noticed a bit more ego in his interviews, a consciousness of what he means to the footballing world.

Being "the next Maradona" may have gotten to his head a little, and his two most recent goals are a clear indication of that. Instead of the squeaky clean image he's presented in his formative years (his explosive years, you could say, when the world stood up and took notice), now I wonder if there's going to be a secondary necessity to take the good with the bad, the sublime skill with the occasional lapses into trickery. Just like Maradona.

Of course, this is all speculation. I don't know what Messi is thinking aside from what he projects to the public, but I do know that the next few seasons in his career will be fascinating to observe, both on and off the pitch. It's crucial for us as fans to find out whether or not his trademark humility makes the transformation into ego. I don't think he'll be the next Maradona in terms of behavior–it's an entirely different generation, with more limits attached to players as individuals, I think, and Messi emanates a different sort of mythos. I can only admit my curiosity and hope for the best.

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