After grieving the lost finals with his country (it was especially hard was that of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Maracana stadium despite being the Ballon d’Or winner), he now has his star with Argentina, completing his enviable collection and matching the ‘Dios’.
Nobody can argue with Messi
Argentina finally lifted their third Cup. The 1978 World Cup by Mario Kempes and the 1986 World Cup by Diego Maradona are now joined by Lionel Messi’s 2022 FIFA World Cup. After grieving the lost finals with his country (it was especially hard was that of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Maracana stadium despite being the Ballon d’Or winner), he now has his star with Argentina, completing his enviable collection and matching the ‘Dios’. The modern debate is over. Nobody can argue with Leo. The Messi of seven Ballon d’Or, who won the Golden Boot six times with over 700 goals and won everything with Barcelona (10 LaLigas, seven Copa del Reys, four Champions Leagues…), weighed down the Argentine jersey for years. Criticism focused on the star who propelled Argentina to World Cup glory after brushing her fingers too many times.
Leo was in his prime in Qatar
He got rid of the spike from the Copa America he raised in Brazil in 2021 and flew to the top in Qatar, inspired by a country and a squad that had more faith in him than ever. His tears after his triumph with Kun Aguero illustrate everything he went through to get to the finish line. How much he craved and hoped for it. At 35, leader and adversary Leo propelled Argentina to the top with a Maradona performance. He was in his prime in Qatar despite losing some of his paces. He was deadly in the final meters and didn’t help out as much from behind. Scaloni gave him wings. He was always decisive in groups and in the crossings with his seven goals and three assists.
The mercurial argentine is the only player ever to score in every World Cup play-off
Leo opened the scoring against Australia (round 16), Croatia (semi-final) and France (final); he scored in all games until he was crowned champion. He is the only player ever to score in every World Cup knockout round. Still shining in the epilogue of his career at Paris Saint-Germain, in which he was preparing for the arrival at the World Cup in full swing, Messi held in his hands the crown that had been tattooed on his head for years. Cristiano Ronaldo has been seen off. Now he has to face with Kylian Mbappe, who will have to wait to take his place despite his hat-trick in Lusail. The owner of the Golden Ball at the age of 35 is still the best.
And so he will say goodbye to the FIFA World Cup. On top of the world. As the best, putting the finishing touch on an ideal career. Unsurpassed. Now he can retire. Now Messi has no choice but to win. There is nothing left to throw at him to deny his status. He is the greatest there.