Messi leads Argentina squad to training pitch ahead of World Cup semi-final Croatia clash

Prior to their World Cup semifinal match against Croatia, Messi and his Argentine teammates took to the practice field.

A life's labor may be deemed successful if the best player of his age eventually hoists the trophy on Sunday in Lusail.

If he doesn't, other conflicting pictures that have been accumulated over the past three weeks may be more difficult to overcome.

Against Poland in the opening round of the group stage, a questionably earned penalty was missed. But he bounced back against Netherlands to ensure his team advance into the semi final. 

Then, most vividly of all, was Messi's part in the violence and cheating that marred the game's final minutes and led to penalties.

Messi and his teammates defeated the Dutch in that brutal and undignified denouement in the same Lusail Stadium where they will return to face Croatia on Tuesday night. There is nothing but celebration of this victory at home in Argentina and among the thousands of his countrymen and women who continue to gather here in Doha.