A quick glance over the Argentina team-sheet prior to their World Cup 2018 curtain-raiser against Iceland and there was one name that stood out among the plethora of stars. Maximiliano Meza. He is not the headline act, like Lionel Messi, has nothing of a reputation like Angel Di Maria and is not even just a household name, like Javier Mascherano or Marco Rojo. Well, not in a European household, anyway.
With Paulo Dybala on the bench and Mauro Icardi not even in the squad, many of those tuning in would question such a decision. But in his home country, the Independiente forward is heralded as one of their best players in the squad.
Traditionally, every Argentina World Cup squad contains a few gems from South America at the expense of more well-known European-based players to keep the fans at home behind the team. Oddly, the Argentina-based stars are more popular that even the likes of Messi in the country. So Meza has a huge backing behind him. But is it time to follow the well-trodden path from the Superliga to the Premier League – or another of Europe’s top five leagues?
From the game against Iceland, who put in a very physical performance which would have prepared him well for the sort of challenge that would await him in the Premier League, it was clear to see he refused to shy away from anything. There was no shirking of responsibility – he knew his role and stuck to it.
More than a few times his clever slinking runs around the back of the Icelandic wall drew the gaze of his teammates while in possession, with a couple of low crosses causing more than a bit of alarm in the penalty area. With Iceland doubling up on Messi, he was allowed a little bit more space to work in on the right and linked well with full-back Nicolas Tagliafico.
And it was one of those clever runs which was decisive. Or at least it should have been. Meza’s run from deep saw him caught by Hordur Magnusson and win a clear penalty. Messi’s spotkick was not as well done, however.
It was only his third appearance for the national team so it was not surprising that he wasn’t quite in tune with the rest of his teammates – but in truth, one of the flaws of this Argentina side over the years is that very few of their stars are in tune with one another.
At 26 years old his move to Europe, and possibly the Premier League, feels like it must come sooner rather than later. But is he ready for it? There were glimpses but based on this performance, not quite yet.
