Argentina's Olympic Football Exit: Fans in Uproar, Criticizing Álvarez and Praising Lautaro – A Lesson in Sports Truths

In a disappointing turn of events, the Argentine national football team was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games by France, failing to advance to the semifinals. This outcome has deeply disappointed Argentine fans, and criticism of the national Olympic team coach, Javier Mascherano, has dominated Argentine media and global social networks. Leading the charge, "Olé" described this exit as "a huge regret for missing a historic opportunity," noting that Argentina's team has won both the World Cup and the Copa America in this cycle. Winning the Olympic gold would have etched a historic trifecta. However, in Paris, the team couldn't even compete for a medal.

"Clarín," another prominent Argentine newspaper, took a broader view of the entire Argentine Olympic delegation's performance. Since the turn of the century, Argentina won six medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics; this number dropped to four in London 2012 and Rio 2016, and further decreased to three at the Tokyo Olympics. As the Paris Olympics reach their midpoint, Argentina has only secured one medal. The football team, historically a powerhouse with two golds and two silvers, was expected to perform well. However, Mascherano's squad has left the nation disheartened.

The primary criticism from the Argentine public revolves around Mascherano's selection choices, particularly concerning the overage players. Historically, Argentina's Olympic successes have been bolstered by crucial contributions from overage players. Whether it was Chamot, Sensini, and Diego Simeone during the Atlanta Olympics (silver medalists), or Ayala, Heinze, and Kily González at the Athens Olympics (gold medalists), and Riquelme, Mascherano, and Pareja at the Beijing Olympics (gold medalists), these seasoned players have always been pivotal.

This time, Argentina's three overage selections were goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax), defender Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), and forward Julián Álvarez (Manchester City). Unfortunately, their performances fell short of expectations. Rulli faced 12 shots, conceding 4 goals, with a save success rate of 66.7%, which is below average. Otamendi, despite his relentless effort, could only achieve a 50% success rate in ground duels, showing the toll of time on his performance. The most significant criticism, however, has been directed at the forward selection.

The majority of fans, particularly those who watch Olympic matches rather than World Cup games, have been questioning, "Why choose Álvarez over Inter Milan's captain Lautaro Martínez?" "Such selection decisions suggest that Mascherano's thought process is far less insightful than that of Scaloni (the head coach of Argentina's senior team)." Earlier this year, Lautaro publicly promised that he would accept a call-up for the Olympics if Mascherano summoned him, causing Inter Milan to worry about losing their captain for an extended period. However, Mascherano never extended the invitation, even though Lautaro won the Copa America's Golden Boot. Instead, Mascherano preferred to rely on Álvarez, whom he considered a "champion's lucky charm." Yet, Álvarez's performance was disappointing in the tournament, failing to score in four matches and providing minimal substantial help. This has led to widespread criticism from global Argentine fans, accusing Álvarez of being a mere hanger-on in the squad.

It's crucial not to blame Álvarez's lackluster performance solely on his ability or level. There are more nuanced factors at play. Firstly, the numerous transfer rumors surrounding him have affected his mindset. Uncertainty about his future naturally limits his performance. Secondly, Álvarez is exhausted. He has played 75 matches (57 for his club and 18 for the national team) over the past 13 months without a break, plus being included in the squad for an additional seven matches. Such relentless exertion would wear out any professional, let alone an athlete in a high-contact sport.

To some extent, Lautaro's recent stellar form (winning MVP in Serie A and the Golden Boot in the Copa America) also owes something to Álvarez. During the national team's games, Álvarez took on many of Lautaro's minutes, effectively "lightening the load" for him. This dynamic could be seen as "what goes around comes around." Before the Qatar World Cup, it was Lautaro who played relentlessly for Inter Milan and the national team, wearing himself out and eventually underperforming due to injuries at the World Cup. At that time, Álvarez was not a guaranteed starter for either his club or the national team, allowing him to conserve energy and shine when given the opportunity.

Now, with the roles reversed, Álvarez is "running on fumes," while Lautaro, having been "lightened," is reaping the rewards. The reversal in their performances has also flipped the public's opinion. Reflecting on those who once idolized Álvarez post-World Cup while criticizing Lautaro, one must question their understanding of the game.

When Barcelona led by Pep Guardiola won the sextuple, many fans remarked, "With Messi, even a dog could coach Barcelona to six trophies; Guardiola is dispensable." Guardiola could only respond, "Time will prove everything." Years later, it has become clear that such a feat is extraordinarily difficult to replicate. This scenario highlights a fundamental truth in sports: judgments based on momentary emotions are unreliable, and time will always reveal the most accurate answers.

Additionally, another sports truth is: fanatical and irrational fans are not worth engaging with.

Thus, while the Argentine fans' disappointment is understandable, the criticisms, particularly towards Álvarez, should be seen in a broader context. Performance in sports is influenced by a myriad of factors beyond mere ability or selection choices. The true essence of sports is revealed over time, with persistence and context providing clarity that instant reactions often lack.