Messi at his most human as Argentina crash out of World Cup

Argentina didn't take advantage of the lifeline they were given against Nigeria. They tried, they played heart and soul, but they lacked the football against France, who picked their moments to take Jorge Sampaoli's side apart. 

It was an even game until Kylian Mbappe said enough. Meanwhile, on Lionel Messi's face there was no look of surprise of disbelief, just resignation. A huge doe of realism. "This is what it is and this is how far we've come," the No.10 seemed to be saying. He didn't play too his best, restricted from stamping his mark on the game, which Argentina needed if they were to beat France. 

Messi never felt comfortable, isolated as a false nine, never able to be the team's reference or link deeper. His teammates didn't fine him in the forest of bodies which surrounded him when there was the chance to get him on the ball. Ngolo Kante was his shadow, always on his shoulder. During the first half, Messi was fouled twice, statistical proof of his lethal absence. In the 36th minute, he got into the box and Argentina appealed for a penalty. It would have been too harsh. Messi only smiled when he celebrated Angel Di Maria's goal. A ball to Cristian Pavon on the right flank was one of the better moments of his first half. 

The second half started differently. Or that was the sensation. Messi got the ball in the area. He turned, shot and it deflected past Hugo Lloris off Gabriel Mercado. Argentina ahead. It was an illusion which Mbappe soon shattered, though, with two goals to give France the advantage. At 4-2, Argentina reflected, Sergio Aguero came on and Leo got the ball where he hadn't previously. He set up Aguero for a stoppage time goal to make it 4-3. But there was no more. 

Messi bids farewell to the World Cup. For ever?