Argentina won a historical World Cup on late 18 December 2022. A very anticipated World Cup since Maradona won it 36 years ago. I watch football matches differently now, not only as a fan but also as a coach, with a coaching perspective. I watch for tactics, game strategy, how the teams press, and with which foot a player makes a play. Precisely,  now I watch games as a leadership coach.

Here are ten (10) observations on leadership and team function taken from Argentina’s run in the 2022 World Cup.   

               1. Early failure.  A loss to an underdog team was not the way a World Cup contender usually starts the competition. Messi stood up before the media and said, “We are not yet out of the World Cup, and in the next match win, we are not yet the winners.”  Failure is part of the journey.   If it happens as early as possible it will provide room for key learning. 

             2. Sweat, tears, and suffering.   Argentina has experienced all of this, often in the course of one match. Even when it seemed that they had the win in their pocket, the game turned sideways. Full-time and extra time were often not enough to give the outcome. They had to go through shootouts to claim the win.   

              3. Supported leadership. You could see that from the senior members to the young ones, the love and support shown by the team to their captain. What could be seen through words of flattery in the interviews, actually was deeds on the pitch.  This time was different from the last World Cup, from the goalie to defenders, midfielders, and the young Alvarez by Messi’s side as a forward. They fought for Messi wholeheartedly. Genuinely.   

            4. Sacrificial steady leadership. Messi rose to the occasion of the support he had from his team. He pressed to the opposite team. Scored all but one of the penalties with confidence and calm. He dribbled and passed to his teammates. He played all the minutes available in the tournament.  Messi was the first to shoot penalties with 100% accuracy, scoring shots.  He managed his energy well and displayed his magic. He celebrated their goals and gave them hearts in difficult moments. 

             5. Team effort: Argentina had many average players, judging from their football abilities and the clubs with whom they play.  But they gave it all, and they gave it until the last minute. Some played more than others, but from the media, you could not hear complaints from those who had fewer minutes. On the contrary, the spirit shone through that they were there for their team, their Capitan, and their people. Obviously, the atmosphere indicated they were a team in the training camp and in the dressing room before they showed it on the pitch.

              6.  Key player’s effort Messi was definitely the star, but several other players took responsibility. Di Maria is probably underrated and not in the best physical fitness. He was crucial with his dribbling, crosses, passes, and goals – at the right place and at the right time. Finally, a young talent like Alvarez could take Messi’s assists and score. Martinez showed up in crucial segments of the game to deny penalties and bring home wins. De Paul was the muscle and brain man in the midfield, pairing with the younger Enzo Fernandez. The veteran Otamendi kept the defense lines amid pressure. A young Molina ran back and forth in his line as he fought for each ball. They did not check out and kept the rhythm through a very tiring competition. 

             7. Passion   You could feel it in every instance. How they sang the national hymn, how they fought for each duel on the pitch. How they celebrated each goal and victory with each other and their fans. Passion was one thing that the Argentinians had in abundance, and it was contagious. 

             8. One goal.  The goal was to win the world cup after 36 years. The goal was to repeat the magic accomplished by Maradona in 1986. The goal was to help Messi win a World Cup in his last tournament. In a spirit of altruism and camaraderie, all the above were part of the goal: Argentina, Maradona, and Messi World Cup championship. All aimed at it, all the time.  

           9. Belief “I knew God will give it to me,” said Messi. I am not sure what was God’s hand in this win. But I am sure about God’s hand in giving life to each of us, as he did for Messi 35 years ago.  Also, we are all sure of the unwavering belief of hard work, and sacrifice put toward the win. They believed it before it happened. 

           10. Coach skills  Few in the global arena considered Skalioni a great coach. But this did not prevent him from leading this team to the Big win.  He knew his players. He knew his best player. He kept them together in unison on and off the pitch.  What is the sign of a great coach rather than getting the best from his players and making himself invisible, to let them shine and win?  He said in an interview after the win, “I’m proud. I’m less excited than other days, but today I’m free. This team only makes me proud, it’s all theirs.”. That says it all.

Many voices for years were dubious about Messi’s capacity on the national team level, blaming him for not being a leader, for not giving himself to the national team, for not being the El Capitan who would lead his countryman to win the coveted trophy. Through years of disappointment, unfair criticism, and the last chance for his football career, he did it.

I am sure many new people will be added to Argentina’s fan base after this win. Many more children will want to be Messi one day on the pitch. I hope they will see beyond the play and embrace the values and attitude Argentinians and Messi taught us. More than the athletic skills, this team had a spirit of unity, a spirit of hope, hard work, altruism, laser focus on the goal, and supporting each other. A humble leader who leads by example, and a team who gave it all for all, fighting till the last blow.

The best player might win a match but it is the team that wins the championship.  

What is your favorite leadership lesson from the list? Is any new one you would add?