I don't have a problem with criticizing Messi being static, but to everything argument or point of criticism you have to look at the entire picture to determine how much of a problem that really is.
Argentina conceded four goals today. Messi was still static, but more involved than he's been earlier. This Argentina team is just not good enough. Di Maria had a golazo, but that's the only good thing he did in the tournament. Mascherano is finished as a DM and Enzo Perez is just mediocre. Banega is literally Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and today you saw why no major team has signed him in his career and why he's bounced around clubs.
The team was just not good enough, but he still made an impact on two of their goals. He cannot be expected to simply take that team the distance against a younger, more energetic and less, far less chaotic France.
As for Messi being static at Barca, then it is something he need to improve, however Barca as a team need to improve too. People want Messi to play further forward, but for the last 2-3 seasons no one from the midfield has been able to advance the ball or make those passes Banega made vs Nigeria. Even Rakitic has been lacking there, either taking too long or simply not having the guts to make that play as it's a risky move. No chance creation from the MF and nothing from the FBs either.
It's a structural mess. Even Maradona or Pele would not take a team the distance with something like that. It's just not possible.
At this point it's not even criticism.
You have guys like [MENTION=1838]Barcilliant[/MENTION] shitting on Messi, diminishing every performance of his, saying he shouldn't be compared to CR as he doesn't deliver in big games while CR does and then you have [MENTION=15262]serghei[/MENTION] bringing his revisionism crap he does all the time something goes wrong. And if not that you have another clown claiming Busquets has been Barca's weak link since he started playing for the team.
This is not criticism. This is just a bunch of people being absolute shitheads and I have no qualms saying that or calling people out. I don't give a fuck and hope the mods let this stay because it's about time someone calls out the BS that's spewed around here way too often.