There's a notion that's become glaringly apparent at this World Cup : the rest of Argentina's players will go to war for Lionel Messi.
"We are all lions who fight for him," goalkeeper and Albiceleste teammate Emiliano Martinez vowed in June. "He's got 10 fighters who are scrapping around him," pundit and awestruck observer Gary Neville recently declared.
It's certainly true when you look at Argentina's performances; ones full of grit and guile, all in a bid to see their superstar teammate lift the finest trophy of them all. But what about Messi? Does he ever get his hands dirty? Most of the time, he's simply too good for a fight, but as captain, the 35-year-old has been at the centre of his fair share of contentious moments behind the scenes.
