Lionel Messi is a mirror image of Diego Maradona The similarities are uncanny and both the player, Messi, and his manager, Maradona, deserve plaudits of the highest order. Not for looking like the finished article, but in the risk and reward from this game. Risk in playing so many attacking players, and sending out a warning. Reward in the soaring confidence it will have created.
两人出奇地相似，一位是球员，梅西，而另一个则是他的教头，马拉多纳，这二位，均可称得上是光芒四射、才华艳世的人物。他们不仅在建功立业上，看上去像，就连他们在本届杯上同生死，共命运的境况，也出奇地像。说他共生死，就是挑战他的对手比比皆是，个个虎视眈眈，说他们共命运，就是他们必须化腐朽为神奇，将绝世的才华，喷涌而出。
Messi had a superb game, top level in every aspect, apart from failing to score. One of my fears was that a bad opening game could see the camp riven with arguments. But this was an impressive win, with Messi as band leader.
除了没能洞穿对方的大门，为本队立建奇功之外，他的表现绝对堪称一流，各方面无不出彩独秀。令本人唯一为之心神不宁的便是担忧他的开战不利，会遭致各界炮轰。但这次的开门红，瑕不掩瑜，他的场上表现，仍令人叹为观止，梅西当仁不让地成为了队中领袖。
Maradona played 4-3-3, which allowed Messi greater freedom and caused confusion for Nigeria because they were unable to track him or man-mark him. From the managerial perspective, I take my hat off to Diego for having the courage to begin in such fashion.
马拉多纳摆出的阵型为4-3-3，意在让梅西能有更大的活动空间，通过撕扯，给尼日利亚造成阵前混乱，因为梅西就是脱缰之马，令人防不胜防。如果以统帅的眼光来审视老马的布阵排兵，如此的一招，我不得不为他的勇气，脱帽致敬，为他的标新立异而折服。
With three up front — Messi, Carlos Tévez and Gonzalo Higuaín - and such an attacking player in Angel Di Maria on the left of midfield, Maradona has sent out a message. Let’s see how many other managers have the courage to start with three up front ?
三位大将顶在了阵前——梅西，特维斯和伊瓜因——还有一攻击型球员迪马里亚施职左腰，如此这种安排，马拉多纳是在向外界透露一个信息。让大家都亲眼目睹一番，有多少当职教头敢于如此大胆，将三元战将顶在了阵型的最前端？
Messi was difficult to mark, deliberately showing how dangerous he was from the start by taking on four defenders inside four minutes, cunningly dragging players who followed him out of position. And because Diego played only one defensive midfielder, Messi tracked back and defended, even showing his brilliance in tackling and winning the ball back.
梅西神出鬼没，从比赛开球的那刻，他便有意吸引对方后卫，惊拢对方，有四次曾拖累对方四名后卫对其围追堵截。狡诈的梅西，左突右击，扯乱对手，伺机摆脱。由于老马在部署防御时只留一个中场，所以梅西除要飞奔前袭之外，还得注意回防，无论是堵截还是抢断，皮球在他的脚下，无不玩转地有声有色，超凡脱俗。
The possession for Argentina’s midfield was huge; very, very positive in principle for an opening game in a tournament like this, where you want momentum to build.
中场的控制，对阿根廷来说，意义重大；正是这个关键部位，在如此这般的大赛之中，首番亮相，举足轻重，不必言说，需要耗费十倍的精力，小心部署。
There will be tougher fixtures, of course, but Argentina can be much better than this because there are clearly things to build on. The passing and interplay in midfield and up front was a delight. And in the centre of it all, pulling the strings, the Jabulani glued to his left foot, Messi the wonderboy, still only 22.
当然，小组的形势比较严峻。然而，阿根廷做得，只能是有过之而无不及，因为他们的巧妙安排，一目了然。中场的传球和相互照应，锋线上的风起云落，无不令人销魂。在中场有了他，便可穿针引线，前后缝源，普天同庆如胶似漆般被他玩弄于左脚之下。这就是梅西，一个神奇的小子，年方22的才俊。
He’ll strain every sinew at this World Cup. And this was only a stretch. He plays so easily, just like Maradona. I saw Maradona in him in the way he suddenly sees spaces others cannot see, and as Diego did with an opportunity, he seizes it, goes at you, and you are a dead man.
在本届杯赛上，他就是要卓越超群。这次是他展现才华的唯一。他天赋过人，玩得如此飘逸，活脱脱的一个老马。他就是老马，在他的身上，我们看到了在别人身上所看不到的过人洞察力。他就是老马，一有机会，便能捕捉战机，充分地利用它。啊，我快不行了。
There was one 50-yard run which ended in a corner, all left-sided, which was Diego in mirror-image. It won’t have been lost on the old master, either.
这是在左翼，距离球场尽端的角区50码，他撞开一条血路，一路奔袭，活脱脱的一个老马。惊心动魄，一点不失老马昔日大师风范。
Nigeria surprised me. They were naïve; their formation played to Argentina’s strengths. No answers, no clear plan. They were never in the game.
尼日利亚让我感到吃惊。他们也太青葱稚嫩了；他们的排兵布阵，在阿根廷面前，显得那么地不堪一击。无语，毫无章法可言。他们根本就没有进入状态。他们的纵深防守，都到哪里去了？
Were they defending deep? Putting pressure on? It should have been a special game for them. I thought they would be more forward-thinking. It was like a warm-up game for Argentina, who finished like it was a training session. If I’m harsh, it was Argentina v Vincent Enyeama. If not for the Nigeria goalkeeper, Messi would have had a hat-trick.
为何不向前推进，向他们（阿根廷）施压？有什么样的对手，就应拿出什么样的应对之策，兵来将挡，水来土掩。在我看来，他们早就该在大帐之外，深谋远虑，运筹帷幄了。一如阿根廷在热身赛上的表现，他们玩得那样轻松，一如训练课一般。如若依我，严厉起来，就像阿根廷调教恩耶马。这场比赛，尼日利亚如若没有门将的神勇扑救，恐怕梅西早就玩了帽子戏法。
Goals will come for Messi at this World Cup. It will happen. He has scored four hat-tricks and 47 goals for Barcelona this season, but is less prolific for Argentina. Yet he takes pressure unbelievably well.
在本届杯赛上，梅西，球是要进的，一定要进的。本赛季，他在巴塞玩了4个帽子戏法，进球47粒，可在阿根廷，在他的功劳薄上，立业的还不是很多。在他的身上，承受着一般人看来是难以想象的压力。
Messi played in a comfort blanket and had too much space. Other teams will try to counter-act that. We saw glimpses of his great vision, passing skills, his tricks and his close control.
摆在梅西面前的前景，一片看好，自由发挥的空间还十分宽广。他的对手无不在对之摩拳擦掌，谋取对策。在我们的眼里，早已瞥见了他的远见卓识，他的传球能力，他的玩球技巧和他的贴身控制能力。
No complaints. Messi was superb. Maradona even wore on a tie, and was very, very positive. The boss deserves a lot of credit. Now his wonderboy must lead the team upwards.
毫无异议，这就是梅西，一个身怀绝技，才华一流的人。即使是老马，他戴上领带，一样那样的正派，正正派派。他值得老马千般信任，万般呵护。现在，摆在这位神奇小子面前的任务就是必须率领他的队伍向前，奋勇向前