it's been this way for awhile with the national team. making the world cup final in 14 was probably the best they've played as a unit with messi.
Yes, but this it is different, although it did start with the World Cup last year. After making that WC final in 2014 the team also made the finals of the 2015 and 2016 Copa America's. Here's the thing though, Argentina didn't play well through any of those tournaments despite making the finals. The team did not light up the WC in Rio on its way to the final, and with the players available at the time and Brazil's relative decline in those years, should have beaten Chile in the 2015 and 2016 Copas.
Those Chile defeats highlight the problem Argentina had during that time. Excellent players (truly world class in numerous positions) but without a proper idea of how to get the best from them. Chile's victories were a classic example of having a clear style of play besting individual talent.
Argentina has never played well under the Messi era (for want of a better term). This era coincided with a golden generation that included players such as Aguero, Higuain, Mascherano, Di Maria, among others. A truly dominant midfield prescence harmed the national team during this period, but the biggest problem was a lack of direction through successive coaches. It reminds me a lot of the England golen generation of Beckham, Gerrard, Ferdinand etc. who also had the personnel but lacked the tactical nous.
Now in 2019, this Copa is a different situation. This Argentina is filled either with young players with potential or average players who should not be anywhere near the selection. In other words, it is not unexpected that Argentina is struggling, but again there seems to be a lack of cohesive style on the pitch. Not playing proven world class talent like Aguero and Dybala also doesn't help. But yes, I agree that Messi must be thinking he would rather be anywhere else right now, especially as he carries the burden of performance. I think he will retire from international duty following this tournament, along with Aguero.
