Can This Be Lionel Messi’s World Cup: Great Variety of Betting Odds on the Argentinean Striker

Betting on Messi at the World Cup is extremely popular among punters, regardless of their country affiliation.

Argentina’s first World Cup match may be scheduled for Sunday, June 15th, but the interest from punters betting at online sportsbooks in Argentina is already enormous. Bettors are not only supporting the country to lift the trophy with 5.00 odds (second behind Brazil), but are also choosing other markets related to the Albiceleste.

One of the main ways to support Argentina besides betting on them winning the World Cup, is to back Lionel Messi in a variety of markets. Arguably the best player in the world is adored not only by his countrymen and Barcelona fans, but fans and punters all over the world, betting not only under Argentinean gambling laws.

Lionel Messi at the World Cup

Barcelona striker is leading the ranks when it comes to prospects of winning the Golden Boot. Messi got 8.50 odds from Bet365 to outscore everyone else in Brazil. While this is certainly a rewarding line, there might be some complication for him to reach this goal: Argentina may have been draw into a group with lots of possibilities to score, but their road to the final will be less than easy.

Betting on Messi at the World Cup is a very popular market

• Online sportsbooks in Argentina are full of betting offers on Messi

• Albiceleste are second behind Brazil in terms of outright winner odds

• Messi has the best odds to win the Golden Boot

Messi has scored “only” 41 goals for the Catalonians this season, but his year was filled with injuries and overall disappointing results for Barcelona. But in any case, when this number of goals is regarded by everyone as low, it means that the striker has the highest standards to live up to. Interestingly enough, Messi never accepted any betting operator sponsorships, but features as the face of a variety of global brands.

Lionel has already won four Ballon d’Or awards, and showed nothing short of magic on the field. The expectations of him forgetting rather disappointing season and concentrating on the World Cup are of course very high. And worthy of noting are his 13 goals in the last 11 games of the season, meaning his form has been slowly coming back.

The safest bet on Messi is for him to become the topscorer for his country – 2.37, rather hefty line considering his chances. He is also leading the list of probable goalscorers playing for Barcelona: 2.00 odds compared to 2.50 for Brazil’s best hope Neymar.

Argentinean prospects at the World Cup

Messi’s success in Brazil directly depends on how well the Albiceleste will perform there. Certainly having a strong side is one thing, but playing almost at home (in a neighboring country) is another important factor. Add to this the huge desire to beat Brazil and win their third crown and you got a great recipe for success.

Of course Messi is not the only one who will be providing goals for Argentina. There are Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero both priced at 4.50 to beat Messi to “best Argentinean striker” title. And even though Carlos Tevez has not been chosen by Alejandro Sabella, the list of great Argentinean players goes on and on.

Argentina will be enjoying one of the easiest groups at the World Cup with Nigeria, Iran, and debutants Bosnia & Herzegovina drawn alongside them. This can only mean that fans and those who bet on sports in Argentina can expect lots of goals during the group stage, allowing Messi to quickly rack up the needed number for the Golden Boot.

Betting on Argentina

It is only natural that the Albiceleste are the favorites to win the group with 1.22 odds, and are almost certain to make the last 16 from any of the two positions with very short line of 1.04. Reaching the quarters also seems like an easy task and will pay at 1.28 odds from Bovada, while semi-final participation is valued at 1.83 for Alejandro Sabella’s men.

This year’s dream final will of course be the Brazil vs Argentina fixture. And the draw is actually made in a way that this event is a very high possibility. The Albiceleste got 3.00 odds to reach the final and 5.00 to lift the trophy after winning it.

A smart bet on Argentina will be the 2.25 odds the Albiceleste are given to reach the last 16 with a perfect record of 9 points after all three group matches. Just think of how many times can Messi find the back of the net should this scenario become a reality.

Adding to Messi’s prospects of becoming the topscorer is the fact that he takes the majority of his side’s free kicks, and he is the designated penalty taker for the Albiceleste. Considering that Nigeria and Iran will undoubtedly need to use physical force to stop Barcelona striker, penalties are highly likely in those games.