Lionel Messi has the opportunity to define his legacy at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a chance most greats of the game never got
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Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s magic has once again put hope in millions of Argentine fans who have been praying for a miracle since 1986. Leo and his deputies marched into the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, dominating the last World Cup finalists Croatia. Messi scored the first goal and assisted the third for young Manchester City star Julian Alvarez to secure the win.
The Qatar World Cup has given birth to a new Messi. He is no longer the “Mister nice guy” on the pitch. Messi has become a true leader on and off the pitch. He embraced his inner stereotypical Argentine roughness. He is now ready to go to war for his teammates; he doesn’t hold back his words, regardless of whom he is facing. A Lionel Messi, who is shouting in the referee’s ear, and a Messi who silences opposition coaches with his mouth rather than his left foot are the scenes some fans never expected to see.
The Messi story in the first World Cup hosted in the deserts of Qatar’s modern stadia has multiple layers. He was proving himself to the Argentine generations that didn’t give him due respect, the haters who rejoiced his four final losses. Most of this is his journey toward redemption after the 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany. He is having the same dream run he had in 2014 and already has more goal contributions than the last term. Messi also appears to be more confident in his team and their abilities.
The seven- time Ballon d’Or winner has the opportunity now to retire from the international game on a high, unlike his greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese great had a disappointing end to his World Cup career as they were eliminated from the World Cup by giant slayers Morocco. The Atlas Lions broke Ronaldo’s heart as the most talented Portugal squad he ever played in crashed out in the quarterfinals. He had a better team behind his back than Messi, on paper. A fairy tale ending wasn’t on the cards. Ronaldo’s lack of form also played a part in their exit.
Brazil’s Neymar, one of Messi’s close friends, had a similar fate on the international stage. The South American duo was tasked with replacing two legends of their country. Pele and Maradona are the two most lavish ever to play the game. Neymar tied Pele’s international goal-scoring record during the World Cup but couldn’t lead the team past the quarterfinals as they lost to Croatia in penalties. He lost, maybe the last chance he had, to earn the respect of Brazilians. The absence of the World Cup in his cabinet will always make him the “the other guy” when the conversations of Brazil’s all-time greats come up.
Messi is just one win away from crowing himself as the GOAT of football
The win was more than just revenge for Messi; now he has the opportunity to claim the GOAT throne. Fans and pundits still snub the Ballon d’Or winner from the GOAT debate several times because he hasn’t won a World Cup. The World Cup was one of Pele or Maradona’s last remaining advantages when the opportunity to choose the greatest arose.
A world Cup win is Messi’s ladder from being a generational talent to the greatest of All Time. The decades of dominance he showcased in club football, for Barcelona and now for PSG, will be nothing compared to the potential World Cup glory that awaits him.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup final is the last dance of his international career; win or lose, many don’t expect to see the little Magician once again in Blue and White. The moments of magic he will produce after the World Cup will only be for the club sides he is part of. So, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Justin P Joy
(4859 Articles Published)