Messi is running out of time to save Argentina’s World Cup

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, center looks down after Croatia’s Luka Modric scored his side’s second goal during the group D match between Argentina and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Novgorod, Russia, Thursday, June 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — For Lionel Messi, the time is now.

Time to score at the World Cup. Time to save Argentina from another crushing disappointment. Time to live up to his reputation as one of the world’s best players. Time to end questions about his performance in the biggest games.

One thing there isn’t time for is celebration. Messi turned 31 on Sunday, two days before Tuesday’s must-win game against Nigeria.

Nigeria would advance with a win, and a draw might be enough for the Super Eagles depending on group leader Croatia’s result against Iceland.

Other stars have come through at this World Cup. Messi’s great rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored four goals. So has Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku. Neymar has a goal for Brazil. Toni Kroos scored when Germany desperately needed it.

The only thing Messi has accumulated after two matches is mounting pressure.

To leave Russia without even making it past the group stage would be a massive humiliation for Messi. It would also strengthen the impression some fans have of him back home, which is of a maverick genius who goes missing in critical international matches.

His only medal with Argentina came 10 years ago — at the Summer Olympics — but other than that there have been only demoralizing defeats.

Messi was kept quiet in the World Cup final four years ago as Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany. Messi also played for Argentina when it lost the Copa America final in 2007 — when he didn’t shoulder much blame because of his youth — and in 2015 and 2016.

After the loss to Chile two years ago, Messi missed a penalty in the shootout and then announced his retirement. But he changed his mind, desperate to make things right by leading Argentina to World Cup success.

It was Messi’s hat trick — in the final qualifying match at Ecuador — that got Argentina to Russia in the first place.

Considering he will be 35 at the next tournament, this may be his last chance. Tuesday’s game, therefore, is make-or-break not just for his country but also for him.

So far in this tournament, he has missed a penalty — which was poorly taken — in the 1-1 draw against Iceland. Then he had a frustrating game in the 3-0 loss to Croatia. The widely accepted view is that Messi didn’t get enough help from his teammates and wasn’t getting the ball to his feet quickly enough to trouble the slick Croats.

It’s a convenient argument when applied to most forwards, but Messi is unique and beyond comparison with all current players except Ronaldo.

He is a five-time Golden Ball winner, a scorer of 552 club goals for Barcelona — not to mention 64 for his country — and dozens of hat tricks.

If his teammates can’t find a way to play to his strengths, Messi should still be good enough to produce at least one moment of magic.

Preferably on Tuesday night in St. Petersburg.

COACH ON THE ROPES

There were rumors in the Argentine media that beleaguered coach Jorge Sampaoli wouldn’t even be on the field against Nigeria after players asked that he be removed.

Argentina’s football association president, Claudio Taipa, put that talk to rest on Sunday, but he didn’t provide much clarity about the coach’s future. Sampaoli has a contract that runs through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“You have seen the coach and the team training,” Tapia told reporters. “It’s clear that what you are saying is a lie.”

Tapia didn’t respond to questions.

Tension has been evident at practice, too. Sampaoli gave Messi a birthday greeting on Sunday, kissing his star player on the cheek and patting him on the back. But then there was no further contact between the two.

On Saturday, most players trained with their heads down, while Sampaoli asked them to run for only a few minutes. He then implored them to “play and have fun as usual.”

CONTRASTING FORTUNES

While Sampaoli is under huge strain as he fights to save his reputation, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr faces less pressure.

Rohr was hailed as shrew tactician after making key positional changes that directly influenced the 2-0 win against Iceland on Friday.

Now Rohr has a chance to cement his reputation by leading the Super Eagles into the second round, likely at the expense of Sampaoli’s job.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Given how easily Croatia found holes in Argentina’s defense last week, Sampaoli’s defenders have good cause to dread facing Ahmed Musa.

Musa’s searing pace allows him to hover around the midfield and attack from deep positions. This means Argentina’s defenders will be less inclined to push up for fear of leaving too much space behind them for him to exploit.

It could end up impacting Messi too, since slowing Argentina’s passing game is the key to keeping him quiet. With defenders sitting too deep, this means a slower transition to the midfield and therefore less passing cohesion, and ultimately less possession for Messi.

Argentina’s best bet is to score first and control the dynamic, forcing Nigeria to push forward and allowing Argentina to find Messi on the break.

Then, it will be down to him to do the rest.

As usual.