Olympics: How Lionel Messi defeated Nigeria in Beijing 2008 by ignoring Barcelona
Lionel Messi’s only international achievements before to his Copa America victory in 2021 came from age-grade games, specifically the 2005 Youth Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Barcelona’s attempts to keep Messi out of the 2008 Olympics
After a season in which he recorded 16 goals and 16 assists, the Argentine was just beginning to establish himself as a player of significant prominence in the Barcelona lineup in the summer of 2008.
The Blaugrana, on the other hand, were in a slump during this time and placed third in the 2007–08 campaign. Barcelona was loath to allow Messi to depart for the Summer Olympics, which he was very much looking forward to, as they had a new manager and were now responsible for making it to the Champions League playoffs the next season.
What big move is Pep Guardiola making now that he has made so many this summer? Having sold two of the team’s best players, Deco and Ronaldinho, he saw that Messi was upset in training because the club was preventing him from pursuing his Olympic dreams. As a result, he let Messi to compete in the 2008 games.
In a conversation with Juan Pablo Varsky, Messi described the incident from his point of view.
According to Albiceleste Talk, Messi told the writer, “Nobody wanted me to go to the Olympics with the national team.”
We had just started training when Pep showed in, and there was considerable discussion about whether I would stay or go to the Olympics. No matter what, we had to make it into the Champions League. He observed that I was upset during training since I wanted to compete in the Olympics.
He’s highly intelligent; nothing eludes him. I’m open and honest, so he quickly came to know me. “Don’t worry, we will qualify for the Champions League,” he told me. We will enjoy the long year ahead of us, so go win the Games and come back.”
In the postseason, Barcelona defeated Wisla Krakow of Poland to earn a spot in the Champions League. And in an unprecedented sextuple the next season, they not only won the competition but also every other award that was up for grabs. With 38 goals and 19 assists that season, Messi became the greatest player in the world for the first time, demonstrating that Guardiola made the right decision in putting the Argentine’s enjoyment first.
Messi during the Beijing Olympics in 2008
The little wizard played five games and contributed as many goals as he did, making for an amazing tournament performance.
Argentina scheduled a final meeting with Nigeria, who had defeated Belgium in the semifinals, following their wild victory over their South American rivals, Brazil.
Messi faced a Nigerian squad in another final three years after leading Argentina to victory over the Flying Eagles in the Youth Championship final.
The Beijing National Stadium hosted the fiercely contested match, which was headed for a draw if it weren’t for Angel Di Maria’s intervention shortly before the hour mark. Famously, the winger chipped the out-rushing Dele Ajiboye after Messi had sent him through on goal.
Messi wins Olympic Gold
Even though it was anticipated that Barcelona would defeat Wisla Krakow, Guardiola would have been under intense pressure if his team had lost. Even though he was a highly regarded former player and alumnus of La Masia, the current Manchester City manager had only coached Barcelona B before, therefore he was still a rookie.
With a resoluteness that has benefited him greatly in his subsequent management career, he made the choice to allow Messi to leave for Beijing. With Argentina, the youthful winger would win Gold, and Barca would easily advance to the Champions League.
That summer, Guardiola would also make the audacious choice to sell club legends Ronaldinho and Deco as well as top players. When they showed up for a training session intoxicated, the new manager decided it would be best to let them go in order to keep Messi safe.
This proved to be yet another wise decision. In fact, he would end the season with his finest return to date—38 goals and 19 assists—thanks to his youthful brilliance. Furthermore, after finishing the previous season with no wins, Barca would go on to win the treble, taking home the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey trophies and establishing themselves as one of the best teams in football history.
