Even if Argentina hasn't won a single important trophy with Leo Messi playing, it's clear that most of the people in Argentina are confident that it's only a matter of time before this happens. One of his most fierce defender has always been Juan Roman Riquelme, that Boca Juniors idol who used to play the role of playmaker in the best and most elegant way possible. During every intervention with the press, Riquelme always attempts to justify why Messi hasn't been able to win trophies for Argentina.
In his view, Messi has a really amazing Barcelona team that always supports him and make him shine, whereas Argentina, they also have very good players but lack competitive midfielders. While Barcelona have Iniesta, Rakitic, Busquets and Arda Turan, Argentina only have Pastore and Banega to fill that void. Riquelme still doesn't understand why there is people who still criticize Messi for not winning trophies, the man does everything in his power to win.
But at the end, Riquelme knows that football is a team sport in which just one player is never enough to win the trophies. Talking to AS, Riquelme spoke about the importance Leo will have for Argentina in the next Copa America: "I've got a lot of hope about this Copa America. Argentina will be closer. They have good players and Messi is in form. If Messi doesn't get injured, I think we'll win it. Why haven't we won anything? Because Messi is left to play on his own. We need to look after him. There's no one like Messi."
Photo credit: FC Barcelona