ONE World Cup.
For all the unrivalled numbers on Lionel Messi’s resume – the seven Ballon D’ors, four Champions League trophies, 10 Spanish league titles, Olympic gold and even his breakthrough 2021 Copa America – there was always one missing.
But after 1003 games and 793 goals – including two more in this 3-3 draw – Messi has the one accolade that ensures football immortality. One World Cup.
And now that he’s won world sport’s most coveted trophy, after also scoring in the penalty shootout, it’s become impossible for anyone to argue seriously he’s not the greatest player of all time.
Indeed, the goat emoji was getting tweeted out like never before in the seconds after Argentina’s victory.
Messi capped a tournament that will now see Messi ‘22 remembered like Maradona ‘86 by ensuring Argentina never trailed in what will be remembered as one of the greatest games in history.
The 35-year-old had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the first half before Angel Di Maria made it 2-0.
The Argentinians looked to be cruising to victory until Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the 80th and 81st minutes to level it at 2-2.
France looked the likelier team to go on and win it, but Messi put Argentina 3-2 ahead in extra-time after poking home from close range after Lautaro Martinez’s shot was parried by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
But there was more drama two minutes from the end of extra-time when Montiel conceded a penalty for handball.
Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate Mbappe stepped up to score from the spot for the second time to take the game to penalties.
But Argentina wouldn’t be denied and Messi stepped up to calmly take the opening spot kick and they never looked back.
Messi became the first player in history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semi-finals and final in the same World Cup.
He was an obvious choice for player of the tournament, adding a second Golden Ball to the one he won in 2014 when Argentina lost to Germany in the final.
His crowning moment was beautifully summed up by Craig Foster in the SBS studio.
“It was a final that was befitting an extraordinary and a deeply unpredictable tournament, but also what it was two titans of the game who would not yield,” Foster said.
“Lionel Messi had this fairytale set-up so perfectly for him. To step into the giant, giant shoes of Diego Maradona, and no-one else likely in the history of the game could have even attempted to do that.
“Seven Ballon d’Ors and now you want to try and step up to heaven and shake hands with Diego? Only this kid could have done it.
“And yet Kylian Mbappe, who is going to dominate world football for the next 10 years, just kept saying “no”. To score three goals in a World Cup final and be on the losing side is just absolutely extraordinary, and that is because you had this man here (Messi).”
Foster said the result solidified an unbreakable bond between Messi and the Argentine people, which hadn’t always been rock solid.
“Last year’s Copa America was when he made that next transition and was able to get that (pressure) off his shoulders,” he said.
“He walked away from the national team some years ago, but this tournament has been really extraordinary to see his growth as the leader of this team. In fact, as the leader of all Argentines around the world …
“Because he left at 12 years old and they saw him as a Spaniard who was playing for them, you know, a Barca kid who was brilliant but not quite “Us” and Diego was ”Us” …
“(But) this morning he (carried the team) in a really incredible way.”
– with AFP
