Leon Wobschall: Benzema and Messi prove worth on world’s biggest stage

But if he required any World Cup inspiration to part the dark clouds, he should have found it later on in the day – courtesy of Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi.

Benzema, like Rooney, has been hauled over the coals for a few indiscretions in his time. More crucially on the international stage, he has largely failed when it matters. That is until Sunday in Porto Alegre.

Dropped during the 2008 Euros for a bad attitude, left at home for the 2010 World Cup by Raymond Domenech despite playing eight of the 10 qualifiers for Les Bleus and not delivering in three games in the 2012 Euros, Benzema’s CV at major championships was becoming one worthy of indictment.

He needed to make a statement of intent in Brazil’s deep south in France’s clash with Honduras. And, boy, did he deliver.

Benzema displayed the maturity and confidence that has rekindled his love affair with the French team with a powerhouse display full of intent. And two goals.

A few hours later, another figure was searching for his ‘moment’ to start crystallising his place in the pantheon of true footballing greats.

Ahead of Argentina’s Group F opener with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the most fabled stadium in world football alongside Wembley in Rio’s Maracana Stadium, a Brazilian newspaper fired a wounding arrow into the psyche of 
Lionel Messi.

It stated that in one World Cup game, Neymar had scored more World Cup goals than Lionel Messi had managed in two previous World Cup campaigns.

Messi may still be trailing his Barcelona team-mate by two goals to one, but his strike of beguiling beauty against the Bosnians in Rio – akin to countless efforts for Barca over many scintillating seasons – represented a cathartic moment, both for him and the Argentine nation.

Messi’s relationship with the Albiceleste fans has been an uneasy one at times. Back in 2010, respected football writer Claudio Mauri wrote in the Buenos Aires-based La Nacion newspaper that “The world’s best footballer is an Argentinian who, in his own country, has less fans than a referee”.

Many supporters have previously handed Messi the unflattering moniker of ‘The Catalan’.

Young Messi moved from his family in the Argentinian city of Rosario to Barcelona for treatment to treat a growth hormone deficiency, diagnosed at the age 11.

Argentinian footballing powerhouse River Plate had been unwilling to pay for treatment for his condition.

Sunday’s majestic goal in enemy territory has 
repaired some fraying cords between Messi and some of his compatriots and it would have been natural for Rooney to possess a touch of envy when 
the Argentine talisman embraced and re-engaged with a nation.

Rooney will be desperate to do his best to turn base metal into World Cup gold by scoring at a finals in a career-defining game on the international stage against Uruguay on Thursday.

If selected.

Time will not wait any longer.