lionel Messi is struggling at the World Cup because he is suffering from exhaustion, his father Jorge has claimed ahead of Argentina's Final showdown against Germany on Sunday.
The Argentina playmaker, who was being hailed as potentially the star player of the tournament, has faded to become a peripheral figure in the past two games. The Barcelona star neither scored nor provided an assist in the 1-0 quarter-final victory over Belgium or the semi-final win on penalties against Holland.
He did provide two match-winning moments in the two games prior to the Belgium clash, the group-stage victory over Switzerland and the round-of-16 clash with Algeria but on each occasion his vital contribution came in the final minute.
He has been heavily man-marked throughout the tournament, partly explaining his cameo performances in the tournament's latter stages.
And the burden of expectation appears to be taking its toll on the Argentine talisman. After speaking to his son recently, Messi's father Jorge told Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo that he is suffering from extreme fatigue.
“leo (Messi) said it looked like his legs weighed 100 kg. He was very tired,” he said.
Germany say they have formulated a plan to stop Messi, but assistant coach Hansi Flick insisted: “We’re not going to reveal it.”
The striker dedicated Wednesday's victory over the Dutch to Argentine journalist Jorge luis lopez who died earlier in the day after his taxi was hit by a stolen car in central Sao Paulo.
"Big hug to all of Argentina and a very special keepsake for Jorge 'Top' lopez. This victory is especially for you, buddy. A big hug to the family. Courage," wrote Messi on social media. Daily Telegraph