Yet another World Cup on the horizon? Lionel Messi continues to amaze us with his greatness in both the Argentine national team and Inter Miami. This GOAL50 victor proves that he can achieve the unimaginable and defy all expectations.
Objective:
Lionel Messi, at the age of 36, continues to maintain his status as the best player in the world, indicating the possibility of his participation in a record-breaking sixth tournament.
Messi eagerly awaited the commencement of the 2022 World Cup, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Despite Argentina’s unbeaten streak of 36 games, the pressure mounted on the recently crowned Copa America victors and their influential captain. Messi, on the eve of the tournament, admitted that there was a sense of fear within the team as they desired a successful outcome.
However, it must be acknowledged that Messi had a significant stake in the World Cup. While he had previously been awarded the Golden Ball in the 2014 tournament held in Brazil, it appeared as a hollow victory following the disappointment of a defeat against Germany in the final. This failure to deliver in such a momentous match was used as ammunition to undermine his claim as the greatest player of all time, suggesting that he could not be compared to the likes of Diego Maradona or Pele.
The criticism intensified after Argentina suffered a devastating loss to Saudi Arabia in their first match of the Qatari campaign. As the shell-shocked players sat in silence, Lionel Scaloni, the coach, acknowledged their pain. The defeat was not easy to digest, with one Argentine journalist seen shedding tears in the mixed zone after the game. It was undeniably a sorrowful day for the team, as admitted by Scaloni, but their only option was to pick themselves up and move forward. And they did, largely thanks to Messi.
Messi urged his teammates to cultivate unity, emphasizing that they needed to stand together more than ever. While he acknowledged their unexpected setback, he firmly expressed that the next steps were within their control. In reality, Argentina relied heavily on Messi’s performance. It was crucial for him to deliver, and he did just that in every game, guiding the Albiceleste from the brink of an embarrassingly early elimination to ultimate glory.
Surpassing previous records, Messi accomplished something remarkable at the World Cup. In the knockout stage, where he had never previously scored, he found the back of the net in each round, one after another. Additionally, he provided two mesmerizing assists during this period, one in the quarter-final against the Netherlands and another against Croatia in the semi-final. These assists left spectators in awe, as they witnessed Messi’s exceptional vision and skill on display. In the first assist, he executed a pass to Nahuel Molina that no other player would have been able to perceive, let alone execute. For the second assist, he elegantly outmaneuvered Josko Gvardiol, a highly regarded defender in the tournament, despite the significant age difference of 15 years between them.
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‘It’s unbelievable how talented he is’
Interestingly, Gvardiol didn’t feel a hint of embarrassment when he was completely outplayed by a 34-year-old. In fact, he proudly announced to reporters after Croatia’s 3-0 defeat in Lusail, “Today and tomorrow, I can proudly tell children that I marked Messi for the entire 90 minutes.”
These kinds of praises have become quite common in Qatar, where Messi made history by being named man of the match in five matches during the World Cup.
Keanu Baccus compared him to a “statue made of wax.” “He appears unreal on the field,” the Australian admitted with awe in his voice. “It’s beyond belief how truly talented he is.”
It was also extremely meaningful that even before the final match against France, the French coach Didier Deschamps confessed that many of his fellow countrymen were hoping for Messi’s victory. Rivaldo echoed the same sentiment as many Brazilians, arguing that the Argentine deserved to lift the trophy “because of the person he is and the incredible football he has always played.”
From a quiet leader to a fierce captain, Messi’s transformation was not only evident in his performance but also in his demeanor. His shift from a silent skipper to a combative captain was complete in Qatar. Referred to as “Angry Messi” by Pablo Zabaleta, he reminded ecstatic Argentinians of the legendary Maradona. Not only did Messi play like El Pibe, but he also assumed a leadership role like him. It’s no wonder that the rest of the team rallied around him.
Rodrigo De Paul became his trusted “bodyguard,” and Emiliano Martinez continuously referred to the team as “lions who fight for Leo.” With a tightly-knit group of players led by a determined Messi, it is arguable that victory was destined for them. Messi’s aim to prove himself as the greatest of all time was evident, and it fueled the team’s success.
Embracing every moment with Scaloni’s team
The evening of December 18 in Lusail had a surreal ambiance, resembling the crowning of a monarch. It marked the perfect conclusion for a player who had experienced heartbreak in finals and retired from international duty in 2016. Yet, Lionel Messi’s international career continues. The reason? He is currently relishing every second spent with Lionel Scaloni’s close-knit group of teammates. As a result, his focus now lies on successfully defending the Copa America title in the United States next summer. What lies beyond that, only time will tell.
While many fans underestimate the quality of play in MLS and the grueling travel schedules, Messi’s decision to leave Europe opens up opportunities for him to extend his professional career. At the very least, he finds much greater satisfaction at Inter Miami than his time at Paris Saint-Germain. It is a common misconception that he underperformed at Parc des Princes. In fact, last season, only four players across Europe’s top leagues were involved in more goals than Messi.
However, he was unfairly made the scapegoat for PSG’s issues in the eyes of the fans. Although he shares some responsibility for failing to build a connection with the supporters, it is important to consider that Neymar prioritized partying over playing and Kylian Mbappe explored his dominance on the field. This led Messi to feel mistreated, as he believed he was the only World Cup champion who didn’t receive recognition at his club. The situation is vastly different in Miami, where he is revered as a deity and is surrounded by his former Barcelona comrades. This undoubtedly has a positive impact from Argentina’s perspective.
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The Last Hurrah at the World Cup?
Following his victory at the World Cup, Messi initially expressed doubt about playing until 2026. However, his teammate Leandro Paredes has revealed that Messi has had a change of heart and is now open to the possibility, saying he is “not ruling anything out”.
And why not? At the age of 36, Messi continues to be the top player in the world. With his recent eighth Ballon d’Or and seventh GOAL50 win, there’s no doubt that he could achieve even more. Messi has always been a phenomenon, defying all logic on a daily basis.
But now, the pressure is off. Messi no longer needs to be afraid of anyone or anything. His accomplishments in Qatar have silenced any doubts and settled the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate. The fear of failure has vanished. He can finally enjoy himself—and he has been doing just that with Argentina and Inter Miami.
So, don’t be surprised if Messi decides to participate in the next World Cup. In fact, he might already be eagerly anticipating the days to come.
