Messi's World Cup Triumph

 

 

 

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest athletes the world has ever witnessed. I had the distinct privilege of seeing Messi in person when I attended the PSG vs Nice game on October 1st. It was truly one the most unique sporting experiences I have been fortunate enough to witness. During the game, Messi scored a brilliant free kick to open the scoring and give his team a 1-0 advantage.

Messi’s left foot has been touched by the football gods because of its power, accuracy and touch. This type of free kick goal has become so routine for Messi that you’re more surprised when it doesn’t go in. Every time Messi would get on the ball I would yell out MESSI, MESSI, MESSI because I couldn’t hold back my pure joy and excitement at seeing the little magician at work. Even when Messi wasn’t touching the ball I found myself watching him and his movement off ball just to gain more of an insight into his genius footballing brain. I gained more of an appreciation for how aware he is of time and space and when to play a pass or take on the opponent with his quick feet. 

Messi’s vision and ability to play the correct pass or make a dummy run to avert the defender’s attention and give his teammate time and space are examples of his selflessness. Messi plays a team game because it’s in his nature to see actions on the field before they happen and then act on his instinct, creating works of footballing art in the process. In Messi’s likely last chance to win a World Cup he is carrying the weight of a nation and came through in spectacular fashion. Through grit, determination and magic Argentina have won the World Cup. Whether it’s a magical assist or a beautiful goal, Messi has stepped up and provided quality to the team when they’ve needed it most. His total statistics for the World Cup are 7 goals and 3 assists.

Julian Alvarez has also stepped up and proven to be a great signing for Manchester City. His speed, ability to get into the right spaces and have a high motor have made him an ideal attacking partner for Messi. With Argentina winning the World Cup after an amazing back and forth Final against France, Messi further established himself as the GOAT of football, a true footballing god. 

Their goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez deserves enormous praise for his role in Argentina’s success. He won two penalty shootouts against the Netherlands and France along with making some big saves during crucial moments. This was a relatively young team built around Messi and without the star power names of teams like France, England and Brazil. However, a collective belief, a supremely talented little magician and some tenacious defending lead to World Cup glory for these deserved winners. Football is unlike any other sport because of the sheer drama and spectacle that is on display. Football is a game of moments and a game can change its narrative in an instant. The most successful teams are well balanced, cohesive, selfless and not as prone to mistakes. 

Football can also produce moments of pure artistry that is not seen in other sports. For example, Messi’s assist to Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands was so beautiful, bamboozling the best center back in football, in Virgil van Dijk that it will be remembered as one of the best moments of this World Cup. As club football resumes it remains to be seen if Messi can lead PSG to domestic and Champions League glory. If PSG continue to have a great season, Messi will surely win his 8th Ballon d’Or. 

This ultimate World Cup glory was hard fought with 2 goal leads squandered against the Netherlands and France, but mentally the team was able to stay together and prevail after penalties. Their midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo de Paul deserve a lot of credit for stringing passes together and defending with intensity and purpose. Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez were effective when utilized. Martinez came off the bench looking dangerous and lively after losing his starting spot to Julian Alvarez following abysmal performances in a loss against Saudi Arabia and a win against Mexico. His ability to stay mentally engaged and supportive of his teammates shows how together this group was. Paulo Dybala, a very gifted player with great technical abilities also checked his ego at the door. Dybala didn't play until coming on against Croatia at the end of the game and then to take a penalty in the World Cup Final, which he made. 

Sometimes, it’s not the best players skill for skill that make up the most successful team, but it’s those players who are willing to sacrifice the most for the good of the group. Lionel Scaloni did a tremendous job of managing the team and making the correct substitutions when needed. Angel Di Maria battled an injury during the course of the tournament, but still started in the Final and drew a penalty and scored a goal off a beautiful counterattack to give Argentina a 2-0 advantage at halftime. 

Football is a true team sport and Argentina showed that if everyone contributes the whole can be better than the sum of its parts. However, this will be remembered as Messi’s World Cup and how glorious it was. With Messi signing an extension at PSG we can look forward to seeing the GOAT competing at the top levels of European soccer for the next few seasons. Enjoy it while we can because this genius can’t play forever and all those who have witnessed his talent, joy, creativity and competitive nature are better for it.