Should Messi Step Aside? Argentina’s Penalty Dilemma Before Switzerland Showdown
Lionel Messi’s legendary status for Argentina is unquestioned, yet a surprising debate has emerged regarding his role as the team’s primary penalty taker. Ahead of their crucial World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland, fans and analysts are asking: should Messi step up for the next spot-kick?
The discussion arises from Messi’s own performances in this tournament. He has taken two penalties in the current World Cup, failing to score from either. These misses put Argentina under pressure in matches against Egypt and Austria. Had those attempts gone in, Messi would now be leading the Golden Boot race outright.
Despite these recent misses, Messi’s overall impact remains undeniable. In Argentina’s most recent game, he scored a goal and provided an assist. This marks the fifth time he has achieved this feat in a World Cup since 1966, a record unmatched by any other player. He also extended his scoring streak to nine consecutive World Cup matches and six straight knockout games.
However, an important question arises: are there other options? Looking at Messi’s career, he has taken 148 penalties in club and international football, converting 114. This gives him a success rate of 77 percent.
Interestingly, several of his Argentina teammates boast higher penalty conversion rates. Leandro Paredes leads with an impressive 92.9 percent. Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández both stand at 91.7 percent. Julian Alvarez has an 89.4 percent success rate, and Nico Gonzalez is also ahead of Messi at 82.04 percent.
These percentages, however, require context. None of these players have taken anywhere near the number of penalties Messi has. For example, Lautaro Martinez, the next highest current Argentina player, has only taken 27 penalties. It is a known fact that the more penalties a player attempts, the more likely they are to miss some.
Therefore, despite the recent misses and the impressive stats of his teammates, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni faces a complex decision. Given Messi’s vast experience and proven ability in high-pressure situations, it seems likely he will continue to be entrusted with the responsibility when the next crucial moment arrives against Switzerland.
